Wheat is the latest fad diet victim and a new study presented at the European Respiratory Society's International Congress adds to its villainy. It says flour is worse for occupational asthma in French workers than toxic chemicals.

The scholars analyzed all cases of occupational asthma in France to understand who was most affected by the condition and what the main causes were. Data were collected over a 3-year period from a network of respiratory doctors specialized in occupational diseases. 330 cases were analyzed.  

The scourge of French employment. Image: Georgetown

Researchers estimated the incidence rate based on the figures they collected and the results of the analysis showed that;

• Flour was identified as the main cause (seen in 20% of cases), followed by ammonium compounds often found in cleaning products (15%) 

• Women were more likely to be diagnosed with occupational asthma (43 per million compared with 29 per million seen in men)

• Incidence rates were higher among skilled and unskilled workers (116 per million) when compared with farmers (97 per million)

• The highest incidence rate was seen in people working in the manufacture of food products and beverages (279 per million) compared with those working in agriculture (160 per million)

Professor Frederic De Blay, lead author from the University Hospital Strasborg, said, "This study has given us a detailed understanding of the occupational asthma cases in France. It helps to show us where people are being exposed to harmful agents and who is most likely to be affected. These findings are important as they can help with future prevention methods to make sure people who are at risk of occupational asthma are protected from it."