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 micrograms/m3) 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 of non-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 of MTHPA.
Nielsen
J
J
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Welinder
H
H
Horstmann
V
V
Skerfving
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012882:Skin Tests; D012907:Smoking; D014797:Vital Capacity
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides