title: A clinical and immunologic study to assess risk of TMA-induced lung disease as related to exposure.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine whether there are trimellitic anhydride (TMA) exposure levels that are very unlikely to cause immunologically mediated respiratory disease. A 3-year clinical and immunologic survey study of 286 employees was conducted at a facility that manufactures TMA. Each employee was assigned an exposure classification from 1 (highest) to 5 (lowest). Of the 28 individuals in exposure class 1, 8 (29%) developed disease; of the 57 class 2 employees, 2 (4%) developed disease; of the 79 class 3 employees, 4 (5%) developed disease. Of the 98 class 4 employees and the 24 class 5 employees, none developed disease. Inasmuch as individuals in class 4 and 5 (TMA exposure < 0.002 mg/m3) are at low risk of developing disease due to TMA, it appears that they do not warrant routine inclusion in surveillance studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Ernest S. Bazley Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center of Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill. 60611, USA.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Grammer
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Shaughnessy
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Kenamore
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Yarnold
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016272:Occupational Health; D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D010796:Phthalic Anhydrides; C015559:trimellitic anhydride