Occupational asthma due to a repair process for polyethylene-coated electrical cables.
We report the case of an electrical cable repairer who presented with symptoms suggestive of occupational asthma. A supervised workplace challenge test confirmed this diagnosis and laboratory challenge studies implicated heated polyethylene repair tape containing the chemical cross-linking agent dicumyl peroxide as the cause. Similar cross-linking processes are widely used in the cable manufacturing industry and the possibility of occupational asthma occurring in other settings may need to be considered.
Stenton
S C
SC
Kelly
C A
CA
Walters
E H
EH
Hendrick
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004559:Electric Wiring; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D010545:Peroxides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000009:adverse effects*
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D010545:Peroxides; D011095:Polyethylenes