Allergy to methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride in epoxy resin workers. Issue 11 (November 1992)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nielsen, J; Welinder, H; Horstmann, V; Skerfving, S
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 49:Issue 11(1992)
• Page Start: 769
• Page End: 775
• Publication Date: 1992-11
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.49.11.769
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : 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.