Occupational Asthma: Risk for Hairdressers and Salon Professionals: A Meta-analysis

Background Hairdressers and salon professionals are often exposed to chemicals through inhalation and skin contact. Hairdressers have an increased risk of occupational asthma due to the chemicals that they are constantly exposed to such as persulfates and peroxides. Persulfate salts have been determined to be the major asthma causing agents. Cases of hairdressers suffering from occupational asthma induced by persulfate salts were first studied in the 1970's, however to date the exact incidence and proportion of the population afflicted is unknown. Objectives 1) To describe how high the risk is for occupational asthma from persulfate salts in the chemicals hairdressers use, and 2) To explore methods of gaining more information about the incidence and prevalence of occupational asthma among hairdressers. Methods This meta-analysis searched Pubmed, Medline, and Highwire with the terms “persulfate salts”, “asthma” and “hairdressers”. Results Hairdressers are at an increased risk of occupational asthma and in one study one out of two hairdressers was diagnosed with asthma stemming from exposure to persulfate salts. Study results show that the persulfate salts seem to require a long exposure time before asthma related symptoms become apparent. Conclusion Many salon chemicals may contribute to occupational asthma, but the types well-documented are persulfate salts. Repeated long exposure is required before asthma related symptoms develop. The physiologic pathway between exposure and the development of asthma has yet to be determined. Further information about the symptoms and the pathway of persulfate-related asthma need to be determined.