SELF-REPORTED RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AND DISEASES AMONG HAIRDRESSERS

Objectives-Hairdressers are exposed to many irritative and allergenic substances capable of causing occupational respiratory symptoms and di seases. The self reported prevalence of respiratory symptoms and disea ses was studied, and the risks among hairdressers compared with salesw omen was estimated. Methods-A cross sectional prevalence study of resp iratory symptoms and diseases was carried out among hairdressers and s upermarket saleswomen, with a computer assisted telephone interview me thod (CATI). The study population comprised all the female hairdresser s and supermarket saleswomen aged 15-54 years in the Helsinki metropol itan area, Finland. Disproportionate random samples of female hairdres sers and saleswomen were drawn from the trade union membership registe rs. The interviews were carried out between February and April 1994. A response rate of 80.5% (355/440) was obtained for hairdressers and 82 .2% (583/709) for saleswomen. Atopy, smoking, chronic illnesses, type of work, working hours, working conditions, personal and professional use of hair products, and the use of personal protective devices were assessed. The outcome variables were self reported symptoms of the upp er and lower respiratory tract. These were used to define chronic bron chitis, and asthma, laryngitis, and allergic rhinitis diagnosed by a p hysician. Results-There was a considerable difference in the prevalenc e of chronic bronchitis; 6.8% in hairdressers versus 1.9% in saleswome n. The odds ratio (OR) adjusted for age, smoking, and atopy for chroni c bronchitis indicated an increased risk of chronic bronchitis (OR 4.8 , 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.2 to 10.1). No association was fo und between work as a hairdresser and asthma, laryngitis, and allergic rhinitis. Also the prevalence of rhinitis, rhinitis with eye symptoms , cough with phlegm, dyspnoea, and dyspnoea accompanied by cough was i ncreased among hairdressers. The corresponding adjusted risk ORs were 1.7 (95% CI 1.3 to 2.3) for rhinitis, 1.9 (95% CI 1.4 to 2.6) for rhin itis with eye symptoms, 1.4 (CI 1.1 to 1.9) for cough with phlegm, 1.5 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.2) for dyspnoea, and 1.6 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.7) for dys pnoea with cough. Conclusions-Our results indicate an increased preval ence of upper and lower respiratory symptoms among hairdressers. Aller genic and irritative chemicals in hairdressing are likely candidates e xplaining the difference found between the hairdressers and controls. Work related reasons should be considered when a hairdresser presents with airway symptoms. Preventive actions are needed to improve the wor king conditions and personal protection.