Risk factors for sensitisation to methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To examine an association between specific IgE to methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) and exposure time, atopic history, smoking habits, and total IgE concentrations.

METHODS:

A cross sectional survey was carried out on a population of 148 workers from two condenser plants using epoxy resin with MTHPA, an acid anhydride curing agent known to cause allergy.

RESULTS:

Using a Pharmacia CAP system with a MTHPA human serum albumin conjugate, specific IgE antibody was detected in serum from 97 (66%) out of the 148 workers exposed to MTHPA. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed a striking relation between log concentrations of specific and total IgE (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, when the workers were divided into two groups according to a cut-off point (100 IU/ml) between low and high total IgE, current smoking was significantly (P = 0.025) associated with specific IgE production only in the group with low total IgE (< 100 IU/ml).

CONCLUSIONS:

Smoking is the most significant risk factor for raising specific IgE to MTHPA in the group with low total IgE concentrations.

• Authors: K Yokota, Y Johyama, K Yamaguchi, Y Fujiki, T Takeshita, K Morimoto
• Journal: Occupational and environmental medicine (Occup Environ Med) Vol. 54 Issue 9 Pg. 667-70 (Sep 1997) ISSN: 1351-0711 [Print] England
• PMID: 9423580 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Air Pollutants, Occupational
• Biomarkers
• Phthalic Anhydrides
• methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride
• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Adult
• Age Factors
• Air Pollutants, Occupational (analysis)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Hypersensitivity (blood, etiology, physiopathology)
• Immunoglobulin E (blood)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Occupational Exposure (adverse effects, analysis)
• Phthalic Anhydrides (adverse effects, analysis)
• Regression Analysis
• Sex Factors
• Smoking