Meanwhile, chemical materials may cause similar symptoms, but with milder or non-existent sneezing and nose itching. The subjects will start showing allergic symptoms in re-exposure phase, the symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, rhinorrhea, itching, and watery red eyes are commonly observed. In sensitization phase, subjects may come into contact with the allergen for a long period of time without developing allergic symptoms, this makes the subjects oblivious to the allergen source. Although both chemical or organic materials may cause similar respiratory symptoms, allergic reaction from organic material usually occurs after sensitization phase and development of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.
The allergen can come into contact with the body through ingestion, direct skin contact, or inhalation of the allergen, thereby causing allergic reaction. While VOC, a chemical material usually in gaseous form can irritate the respiratory tract, the same symptoms may occur due to exposure to organic materials derived from food processing, such as seafood, especially crustaceans (arthropods with chitin exoskeleton, for example, crab, lobster, shrimp, etc.). This SigA inhibits enzymes and slows down the colonization of bacteria on the mucosal surfaces. After formation of immunoglobulin A dimer, it is bound by secretory components (SC) such as saliva, and mucus to form Secretory IgA (SigA). The first component of the immune system that works on mucosal region is immunoglobulin A (IgA) which is the predominant immunoglobulin in mucosa, and also the second most substantial immunoglobulin in the serum.
Formaldehyde is an irritant of the respiratory tract, and some cases demonstrated that occurrence of bronchial asthma can be correlated to inhalation of formaldehyde. In some case reports and clinical studies, mild to medium stages of irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat were observed in volunteers who were exposed to 0.25–3 ppm formaldehyde for a short period of time. Its particle size is undetermined and but its density is 1.067 relative to air (air = 1) with a molecular mass of 30.03 g/mol. Besides VOC, formaldehyde is generally found in the work environment in gaseous form. The exposure of respiratory tract to these irritant compounds can cause hyperreactivity of mucous membrane resulting in inflammation of the mucosa, obstruction, restriction, as well as both of them to manifest decreased pulmonary function. The chemicals in the working environment, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOC), are constantly inhaled by the workers.
A large amount of chemical material are used in the process of textile manufacture.