Potroom asthma: New Zealand experience and follow-up.
Occupational asthma related to work in potlines in an aluminum smelter has been diagnosed on clinical criteria in 57 workers. About half were regular tobacco smokers but atopy was uncommon. There was a wide range in the time for which each had been employed prior to development of symptoms, but the average was about 20 months. Thirty-four showed nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity to methacholine. At annual reviews over a period of 5 years following transfer to other work at the smelter, the majority improved in symptoms in 1-2 years and bronchial hyperreactivity returned to normal. However, over the subsequent 3 years, deterioration, not limited to tobacco smokers or atopic subjects, has occurred in some subjects.
O'Donnell
T V
TV
Department of Medicine, University of Otago Wellington School of Medicine, Wellington Hospital, New Zealand.
Welford
B
B
Coleman
E D
ED
D000535:Aluminum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008669:Metallurgy; D009520:New Zealand; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012882:Skin Tests
D000535:Aluminum