An inflammatory disease of the lung caused by inhalation of foreign substances such as microbial organisms (farmer's lung), indoor antigens (bird breeders' lung), and industrial allergenic chemicals (e.g., acid anhydrides and isocyanates). The diseases are due to immunologic reactions in pulmonary tissue. Also known as extrinsic allergic alveolitis.

An immune response mediated by immunoglobulin E antibodies, characterized by hives, wheezing, and/or abrupt changes in blood pressure, and occurring within a few minutes or hours after exposure to an antigen.

A specialized group of body cells, cell products, tissues, and organs that respond to foreign organisms and substances in the body.

To deliberately introduce an antigenic substance (vaccination or active immunization) or antibodies (passive immunization) into an individual, with the aim of decreasing susceptibility to infectious diseases or protecting against toxicants.

The capacity to respond immunologically to antigens.

A protein (or family of proteins) that participates in the immune reaction as the antibody for a specific antigen. There are five categories of immunoglobulin (Ig) based on structural differences: IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE.

The study of the immune system concerned with the phenomena that allow an organism to respond to a subsequent exposure to a foreign substance in a way that is distinct from the way it responds to the initial exposure to that same substance.

Suppressing the natural immune response of an organism, thus permitting an individual to accept a foreign substance, such as a transplant, but also increasing the likelihood of infection.

(1) The treatment of disease by the administration to the patient of antibody raised in another individual or another species (passive immunotherapy) or by immunizing the patient with antigens appropriate to the disease (active immunotherapy). (2) Therapy, used especially in the treatment of cancer, intended to stimulate the effector mechanisms of the immune response nonspecifically.

Having the potential to adversely affect the immune response or damage components of the immune system.

The number of cases of a disease, abnormality, condition, etc., arising in a defined population during a stated period, expressed as a ratio, such as x cases per 1,000 population per year.

Front Matter (R1-R11)

Executive Summary (1-33)

1 Introduction (34-43)

2 Magnitude and Dimensions of Sensitization and Disease Caused by Indoor Allergens (44-85)

3 Agents, Sources, Source Controls, and Diseases (86-130)

4 Mechanisms of Immune Function (131-152)

5 Medical Testing Methods (153-184)

6 Assessing Exposure and Risk (185-205)

7 Engineering Control Strategies (206-232)

8 The Role of Education (233-245)

References (246-280)

Acronyms (281-283)

Glossary (284-292)

Committee and Staff Biographies (293-298)

Index (299-308)