Advances in environmental and occupational disorders in 2008

Substantial progress in understanding the role of environmental factors in allergic disease and asthma has been made in the past year. A number of new allergens have been described, and the impact of exposure to indoor allergens in the development of allergic respiratory disease is further confirmed. Exposures to environmental pollutants, particularly tobacco smoke in children, have furthered our knowledge of the detrimental effects of these exposures. This review highlights key advances in environmental and occupational exposures that contribute to the burden of allergic respiratory disease.