Effect of respiratory protective devices on development of antibody and occupational asthma to an acid anhydride.

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVES:

To determine whether the use of respiratory protective equipment would reduce the incidence of occupational asthma due to exposure to hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA).

DESIGN:

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING:

A facility that makes an epoxy resin product requiring HHPA for its manufacture.

PARTICIPANTS:

Sixty-six individuals newly hired at a facility that makes an epoxy resin product requiring HHPA for its manufacture.

INTERVENTION:

Employees who wished to use respiratory protective equipment could choose from three types of masks: dust mask, half-face organic vapor respirator, or full-face organic vapor respirator.

MEASUREMENTS:

Workers were evaluated annually for development of positive antibody to HHPA and occupational, immunologic respiratory disease, including occupational asthma.

RESULTS:

With use of respiratory protective equipment, the rate of developing an occupational immunologic respiratory disease was reduced from approximately 10 to 2% per year. Occupational asthma developed in only three individuals, and they were all in the higher exposure category. Statistically, one respirator was not superior to the others.

CONCLUSION:

Respiratory protective equipment can reduce the incidence of occupational immunologic respiratory disease, including occupational asthma, in employees exposed to HHPA.

• Authors: Leslie C Grammer, Kathleen E Harris, Paul R Yarnold
• Journal: Chest (Chest) Vol. 121 Issue 4 Pg. 1317-22 (Apr 2002) ISSN: 0012-3692 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11948068 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Air Pollutants, Occupational
• Bronchoconstrictor Agents
• Epoxy Resins
• Immunoglobulin G
• Phthalic Anhydrides
• araldite
• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Adult
• Air Pollutants, Occupational (adverse effects, immunology)
• Antibody Formation (immunology)
• Asthma (immunology, prevention & control)
• Bronchoconstrictor Agents (adverse effects, immunology)
• Environmental Monitoring
• Epoxy Resins (adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin E (blood)
• Immunoglobulin G (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Occupational Diseases (immunology, prevention & control)
• Phthalic Anhydrides (adverse effects, immunology)
• Respiratory Protective Devices
• Risk Factors