PREVALENCE OF BAKER’S ASTHMA IN TEHRAN, IRAN

Baker’s asthma is one of the common occupational diseases that develops on exposure to irritant substances encountered in workplaces. The first report of occupational asthma backs 250 years ago. However, the exact prevalence of the condition remains to be elucidated. More than 100 specific agents cause occupational asthma in workplaces; among them, toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and flour are the most common causes. Bakers are regularly exposed to flour dust. The prevalence of this disease is between 4 to 5%. We expect that Baker’s asthma to be very common in Iran because most bakeries work in traditional conditions without proper use of fans or other ventilation tools. In addition, most bakers work long hours each day.