Biomaterial Database

Phthalic anhydride-induced occupational asthma. 1986

M Wernfors, and J Nielsen, and A Schütz, and S Skerfving

Out of 118 workers exposed to phthalic anhydride (PA) dust for 2 months or more in four plants producing alkyd and/or polyunsaturated polyester resins, 28 (24%) suffered from work-related rhinitis, 13 (11%) from chronic productive bronchitis, and 21 (28%) from work-associated asthma. Asthma was generally preceded by rhinitis and was mostly of late type. 3 out of 11 asthmatics had a PA-positive skin test. In 2 subjects the presence of antibodies was demonstrated by the Prausnitz-Küstner test. 4 out of 25 heavily exposed subjects without asthma had a nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity. The results did not indicate any significant 'healthy worker selection' as regarding rhinits and asthma. Chronic productive bronchitis was common and was more prevalent among former workers than among present employees, indicating a selection of nonreacting subjects in the plant. The time-weighted average breathing zone PA levels in two plants were between 3 and 13 mg/m3 during different direct PA handling operations and less than 0.3 mg/m3 at other kinds of work. In 2 subjects, positive bronchial provocation was obtained by short-term exposure to 0.5 and 6 mg PA/m3, respectively.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007073	Immunoglobulin E	An immunoglobulin associated with MAST CELLS. Overexpression has been associated with allergic hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE).	IgE
D009784	Occupational Diseases	Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment.	Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D010795	Phthalic Acids	A group of compounds that has the general structure of a dicarboxylic acid-substituted benzene ring. The ortho-isomer is used in dye manufacture. (Dorland, 28th ed)	Acids, Phthalic
D010796	Phthalic Anhydrides	Phthalic acid anhydrides. Can be substituted on any carbon atom. Used extensively in industry and as a reagent in the acylation of amino- and hydroxyl groups.	Anhydrides, Phthalic
D001980	Bronchi	The larger air passages of the lungs arising from the terminal bifurcation of the TRACHEA. They include the largest two primary bronchi which branch out into secondary bronchi, and tertiary bronchi which extend into BRONCHIOLES and PULMONARY ALVEOLI.	Primary Bronchi,Primary Bronchus,Secondary Bronchi,Secondary Bronchus,Tertiary Bronchi,Tertiary Bronchus,Bronchi, Primary,Bronchi, Secondary,Bronchi, Tertiary,Bronchus,Bronchus, Primary,Bronchus, Secondary,Bronchus, Tertiary
D004391	Dust	Earth or other matter in fine, dry particles. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed)	House Dust,Housedust,Dust, House
D004781	Environmental Exposure	The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents in the environment or to environmental factors that may include ionizing radiation, pathogenic organisms, or toxic chemicals.	Exposure, Environmental,Environmental Exposures,Exposures, Environmental
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001249	Asthma	A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL).	Asthma, Bronchial,Bronchial Asthma,Asthmas
D012221	Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial	Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose similar to that found in hay fever except that symptoms persist throughout the year. The causes are usually air-borne allergens, particularly dusts, feathers, molds, animal fur, etc.	Rhinitis, Allergic, Nonseasonal