Advances in environmental and occupational disorders

Abstract

The environment plays a crucial role in determining the development and expression of allergic disorders. Epidemiologic studies allow us to understand risk factors for allergic disease, which may lead to interventional studies to provide the evidence base for our clinical advice. Articles published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology last year highlighted the relevance of mold exposure and environmental tobacco smoke as risk factors for the development of asthma and the expression of symptoms. The role of fitted carpets as a reservoir for house dust allergens was also challenged by data arising from this work. Occupational allergy is an important clinical and socioeconomic problem. A large body of work on latex allergy has been reported in the past year, demonstrating the impact of containment strategies on exposure to latex and the incidence of sensitization to latex. Other articles have explored the range of latex allergens to which patients are sensitized and the HLA associations of latex allergy. Two models of isocyanate sensitization were reported, providing some insight into possible mechanisms of isocyanate asthma and some clues for understanding nonallergic asthma. Environmental and occupational disorders are highly relevant to our readership, and the new Editorial Board hopes to encourage submission and publication of relevant articles in this area. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;111:S824-8.)