Error
  • The template for this display is not available. Please contact a Site administrator.

Environmental & Occupational Allergy

Fungal spores are an ubiquitous part of biosphere being present in varying numbers in outdoor and indoor air, as well as in specific workplace environments. Exposure to airborne fungi is associated with a variety of health effects with different symptoms and manifestations. The prevalence rates of sensitization to either indoor or outdoor fungi are heterogeneous across Europe. The aim of the TF is to summarize the current scientific evidence linking to fungal exposure in the indoor (included occupational) and outdoor places and the risk of fungal sensitization and allergy including information of the most important allergenic fungi, both indoor and outdoor, qualitative and quantitative detection of indoor and outdoor fungal exposure and data concerning outdoor fungal season from Europe. Additionally, evidence-based recommendations for general practitioners, allergologists and occupational physicians about management, diagnosis and prevention, including surveillance, health and safety education and training should be developed.

Working Group: Aerobiology and pollution
Chair: Mario Olivieri
Secretary: Carmen Galan
The field of occupational allergy studies the allergic diseases that are initiated or escalated by factors present in the workplace. Certain work environments have more propensity to exacerbate or lead to the development of allergic diseases depending on the agents one is exposed to. The gender distribution across professions is still unequal, and this raises a need to understand gender differences in occupational allergic diseases, to provide effective education and personalized management for both genders.
This task force brings together experts in allergology, pneumology, dermatology and occupational medicine from across Europe and aims to summarize the current scientific evidence on gender-dependent occupational allergy. The ultimate goal is to develop an up-to-date consensus document and to outline key-messages useful for policy decisions on priorities for legislative action.

Chair: Gianna Moscato
Secretary: Monika Raulf

Relevant literature:

- Raulf M, et al. Gender-related aspects in occupational allergies - secondary publication and update

Air quality has a detrimental effect on health and allergic diseases and the presence of pollen in the air has a significant impact on allergic symptoms. Being able to monitor the presence and quantities of pollen and fungal spores in the ambient air would considerably improve the prevention of allergic diseases. In order to do so, aerobiologists can use ambient air quality monitoring to detect biological particles (pollen and fungal spores) in the air. However, unlike the detection of non-biological components (ozone, nitrogen oxides, etc.), monitoring of biological particles in the ambient air is not frequently publicly funded and the data is not freely available. To address this important issue, this task force has made a review of the pollen monitoring stations throughout the world and created an interactive visualization of these stations (see below).

Interest group: Environmental and Occupational Allergy
Chair: Jeroen Buters
Secretary: Celia Antunes

Relevant literature: 

- Buters, JTM. et al. Pollen and spore monitoring in the world

Contributors:
Project managers: Celia Antunes, Jeroen Buters
Database building: Ana Galveias, Celia Antunes, Jose Oteros, Jeroen Buters
Interactive map development and administrator: Jose Oteros
Members of the task force: C. Antunes, M. Thibaudon, A. Galveias, J. Oteros, C. Galan, M. Werchan, and J. Buters