Non-IgE-mediated and irritant-induced occupational rhinitis, caused by ancient and novel low-molecular-weight and irritating chemicals, had recently piqued researchers’ attention. For a review, researchers compiled the scientific data from 2011 and 2012 on the agents and work activities that caused non-IgE-mediated and irritant-induced occupational rhinitis, as well as work-exacerbated rhinitis. Workers exposed to drugs, wood dust, chemicals, metals, and biocides were at a high risk of non-IgE-mediated and irritant-induced occupational rhinitis, according to several epidemiological, surveillance, and experimental studies, case reports, and reviews; among the professions at risk are healthcare, antibiotic manufacturing, and cleaning. Although there hadn’t been any research on work-exacerbated rhinitis, it was plausible to assume that it was commonly linked to work-exacerbated asthma. Work-related anosmia/microsomia, nasal polyps, and sinusitis had all been reported in recent years. It had been proven that reducing or eliminating workplace exposure to the specified agent was useful in avoiding nonallergic occupational rhinitis symptoms.
Physicians should detect work-related rhinitis symptoms caused by old and new low-molecular-weight and irritating agents, given the importance of non-IgE-mediated and irritant-induced work-related rhinitis. Non-IgE-mediated and irritant-induced occupational rhinitis are mostly unknown processes that need to be investigated further. Effective actions should include the substitution of relevant agents, as well as the reduction or removal of exposure at work.
