RESUMEN
The antioxidant, tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), a common additive in food and cosmetics can cause allergic contact dermatitis. A 49-year-old non-atopic male factory worker developed asthma in connection with cleaning mixing drums containing TBHQ. Due to the suspicion that TBHQ might be the cause of asthma, a specific inhalation challenge was carried out. Lactose was used as a control agent. The following day he developed asthma symptoms with a 41% drop in FEV1 after 30-min exposure to small amounts of TBHQ and water. Methacholine reactivity increased 5-fold after TBHQ exposure compared to pre-exposure reactivity. This suggests that TBHQ may be the cause of asthma in this case. Due to this case respirators were introduced in the factory to reduce TBHQ exposure. TBHQ has not previously been shown to cause asthma.
Asunto(s)
Antioxidantes , Hidroquinonas , Masculino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Antioxidantes/efectos adversos , Hidroquinonas/efectos adversosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: A delayed asthma reaction occurring several hours after exposure is difficult to diagnose. AIMS: To confirm a delayed asthma reaction in five workers following epoxy exposure. CASE REPORT: Working conditions with exposure to epoxy encountered at the workplace were reproduced in a challenge chamber. Specific inhalation challenge (SIC) with epoxy was compared to a control challenge. All five cases had delayed a asthma response 6-15 h after epoxy exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that SIC is a useful tool in diagnosing delayed asthma response.
Asunto(s)
Asma Ocupacional/diagnóstico , Compuestos Epoxi/efectos adversos , Exposición por Inhalación , Adulto , Volumen Espiratorio Forzado , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversosRESUMEN
A case of a 35 year-old female nurse without atopic disposition is presented. For one year (1990-1991), she worked in an emergency room, applying synthetic casts containing MDI 0-3 times daily. She developed rhinitis, itchy eyes and nightly wheezing, during employment in the emergency room, with subsequent serious asthma attacks in 1992 and 1996. Just before the last attack, the patient's husband had used insulation foam containing MDI. A specific bronchial provocation test was performed with MDI-based synthetic cast material. The patient developed an asthma attack after seven hours, with a 48% drop in FEV1, suggesting that MDI is the causative agent.