Prevalence of different types of allergy among textile workers in Kashan

Occupational allergy is one of the most important issues in the field of occupational health and is one of the major problems among workers in factories with exposure to allergens. The present study was conducted to survey the frequency of different types of allergy and allergens among textile workers in Kashan City. This cross sectional study was performed among 437 randomly selected workers of 7 textile factories in Kashan City during 2006. Respiratory (36.3%) and skin (27.1%) allergies were the most common type of occupational allergies among workers. Smoking, type of textiles in exposure, and the state of machines (ne or used) were associated with type and location of allergy. Safer occupational environments and better quality of ventilation and using workers with no history of allergic diseases and smoking may have a prompt effect in reduction of occupational allergy.