Occupational asthma among hairdressers [Asma professionale nelle parrucchiere]

Persulphate salts, which are standard constituents of hair bleach, have been reported to cause occupational asthma in hairdressers. The aim of this study was to single out which persulphate salt is the main cause of occupational asthma. We examined a population of 26 hairdressers who had regular contact with various hair products. All subjects were assessed by means of physical examination, lung prick tests, x-rays, pulmonary function test, non-specific and specific bronchial provocation tests with hair bleach; in some cases we also tested single persulphates (ammonium, sodium and potassium persulphate, sodium laurilsulphate). Skin sensitivity to persulphate prick tests was demonstrated in 6 subjects (28.5%). The pulmonary function test was normal for 24 subjects. 34.6% of the studied population showed a positive response to non-specific and specific bronchial provocation tests with hair bleach. The results confirm that the specific bronchial provocation test with hair bleach or with single persulphate salts is the gold standard for the diagnosis of occupational asthma in hairdressers.