Allergy to methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride in epoxy resin workers

• One hundred and forty four current and 26 former workers in a plant producing barrels for rocket guns from an epoxy resin containing methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA; time weighted average air concentration up to 150 uglm') were studied. They showed higher frequencies of work related symptoms from the eyes (31 v 0%; p < 0-001), nose (53 v 9%; p < 0-001), pharynx (26 v 6%; p < 0-01), and asthma (11 v 0%; p < 0 05) than 33 controls. Also they had higher rates of positive skin prick test to a conjugate of MTHPA and human serum albumin (16 v 0%; p < 0-01), and more had specific IgE and IgG serum antibodies (18 v 0%; p < 0-01 and 12 v 0%; p < 0 05 respectively). There were statistically significant exposure-response relations between exposure and symptoms from eyes and upper airways, dry cough, positive skin prick test, and specific IgE and IgG antibodies. There was a non-significant difference in reaction to metacholine between exposed workers and non-smoking controls. In workers with and without specific IgE antibodies, differences existed in frequency of nasal secretion (54 v 23%; p < 0-05) and dry cough (38 v 12%; p < 0-05). Workers with specific IgG had more dry cough (38 v 12%; p < 0-05), but less symptoms ofnon-specific bronchial hyperreactivity (0 v 26%; p < 0-05). Atopic workers sneezed more than non-atopic workers (65 v 30%; p < 0-01). In a prospective study five sensitised workers who left the factory became less reactive to metacholine, and became symptom free. In 41 workers who stayed, there was no improvement, despite a 10-fold reduction in exposure. The results show the extreme sensitising properties ofMTHPA.

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MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Arbetsterapi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Occupational Therapy (hsv//eng)

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