{
  "abstract": "Objective Workers in the salmon processing industry are exposed to bioaerosols comprising proteins, including different allergens. Previous studies have suggested an increased risk of work-related rhinitis among these workers, but the pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear.In this study we aimed to assess the prevalence of work-related nasal symptoms among workers in Norwegian salmon processing plants, and the prevalence of sensitization to salmon among exposed symptomatic workers.Material and Methods A cross-sectional study was performed among 518 workers in 9 Norwegian salmon processing plants. Questionnaire data comprised information about specific nasal symptoms during the workday. Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed using study-specific extracts from salmon: raw and cooked muscle, outer mucus and skin. Crude odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess possible differences in self-reported nasal symptoms between process line workers and office/administrative workers. In addition, the percentages of positive SPTs among process line workers with at least one nasal symptom were calculated.Results Process line workers (n=488) reported more work-related nasal symptoms than office/administrative workers (n=30); runny nose: 50.1% vs 24.1% (OR=3.2,CI:1.3-7.5), sneezing: 48.5% vs 23.3% (OR=3.1,CI:1.3-7.4), nasal congestion: 43.3% vs 26.7% (OR=2.1,CI:0.9-4.8), and itching: 37.2% vs 23.3% (OR=1.5,CI:0.8-4.6). Among 313 symptomatic process line workers, 7.2% had at least one positive SPT with reactions to raw muscle (5.8%), cooked muscle (1.3%), outer mucus (3.8%), and skin (0.3%).Conclusion Process line workers in the Norwegian salmon processing industry had a higher prevalence of work-related runny nose and sneezing than office/administrative workers in the same industry, suggesting a positive association with occupational exposure. The low prevalence of positive SPTs among symptomatic process line workers indicates that both non-allergic and allergic mechanisms may contribute to nasal symptoms among such workers.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. Department of Occupational Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Abel Deresu Dufera"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. Department of Occupational Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Stein Håkon Låstad Lygre"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. Department of Occupational Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Kaja Irgens-Hansen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. Department of Occupational Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Carl Fredrik Fagernæs"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. Department of Occupational Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Anje Christina Höper"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. Department of Occupational Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Torgeir Storaas"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. Department of Occupational Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Berit Elisabeth Bang"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. Department of Occupational Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Kari Eilidh Mikkelsen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. Department of Occupational Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Gro Tjalvin"
    }
  ],
  "title": "8290451 Work-related nasal symptoms and sensitization among workers in the Norwegian salmon processing industry",
  "uid": "59df6807-e3e1-5693-a75d-50980d60d920"
}