work-related respiratory symptoms and airway disease in hairdressers

background: hairdressers are occupationally exposed to a number of agents in their workplace that result in respiratory symptoms and changes in pulmonary function. objective: to evaluate associations between occupational exposure and respiratory function and reported symptoms in a group of hairdressers compared to a control group. methods: a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and workplace characteristics was completed by 94 hairdressers and 39 age- and sex-matched controls. spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide (feno) measurements were also performed. results: hairdressers reported more severe dyspnea (p=0.03) and eye (p=0.001) and throat (p=0.007) irritation, compared to the control group, at the workplace; no differences were noted at home. lower fev 1 /fvc (p<0.001) and higher feno values (p=0.012) were observed in hairdressers. a larger working area and presence of window ventilation were associated with better pulmonary function. conclusion: worsening of symptoms and pulmonary function at workplace, and alleviating the symptoms at home, indicate that they may be related to occupational exposure.