Study objective 

To analyze the extent to which the clinical diagnosis of bleach-induced asthma can be confirmed by laboratory tests and to determine the role of work-related exposure to bleaching powder in a group of hairdressers with respiratory complaints.

Methods 

The study population consisted of 55 female hairdressers who had regular contact with various hair products and a clinical history of job-related rhinitic and/or asthmatic symptoms.

We divided the individuals into two groups : group I, with asthmatic symptoms (n=38), and group II, without asthmatic symptoms (control group, n=17).

All subjects underwent immunological, pulmonary-function, and nonspecific bronchial provocation tests, and 46 study participants were subjected to a standardized bleaching-powder test in a designated chamber.

Results 

There were 13 positive responses to bleaching powder in the skin test, and 32 individuals showed positive bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine ; positive responses to the challenge with bleaching powder occurred in 9 women (22% of those tested).

None of the women in group II reacted to bleaching powder.

There was no significant difference between persons with a positive or a negative bronchial provocation test with regard to the evaluated parameters.

Conclusions 

In the diagnostic workup of hairdressers with work-related respiratory symptoms, bleaching powder is one of the products that need to be tested. (...)