Leslie C Grammer1, Kathleen E Harris, Paul R Yarnold. 1. Division of Allergy-Immunology and the Ernest S. Bazley Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center, Department of Medicine of Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern University, Chicago 60611, USA. l-grammer@northwestern.edu
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the use of respiratory protective equipment would reduce the incidence of occupational asthma due to exposure to hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A facility that makes an epoxy resin product requiring HHPA for its manufacture. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-six individuals newly hired at a facility that makes an epoxy resin product requiring HHPA for its manufacture. INTERVENTION: Employees who wished to use respiratory protective equipment could choose from three types of masks: dust mask, half-face organic vapor respirator, or full-face organic vapor respirator. MEASUREMENTS: Workers were evaluated annually for development of positive antibody to HHPA and occupational, immunologic respiratory disease, including occupational asthma. RESULTS: With use of respiratory protective equipment, the rate of developing an occupational immunologic respiratory disease was reduced from approximately 10 to 2% per year. Occupational asthma developed in only three individuals, and they were all in the higher exposure category. Statistically, one respirator was not superior to the others. CONCLUSION: Respiratory protective equipment can reduce the incidence of occupational immunologic respiratory disease, including occupational asthma, in employees exposed to HHPA.
STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the use of respiratory protective equipment would reduce the incidence of occupational asthma due to exposure to hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A facility that makes an epoxy resin product requiring HHPA for its manufacture. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-six individuals newly hired at a facility that makes an epoxy resin product requiring HHPA for its manufacture. INTERVENTION: Employees who wished to use respiratory protective equipment could choose from three types of masks: dust mask, half-face organic vapor respirator, or full-face organic vapor respirator. MEASUREMENTS: Workers were evaluated annually for development of positive antibody to HHPA and occupational, immunologic respiratory disease, including occupational asthma. RESULTS: With use of respiratory protective equipment, the rate of developing an occupational immunologic respiratory disease was reduced from approximately 10 to 2% per year. Occupational asthma developed in only three individuals, and they were all in the higher exposure category. Statistically, one respirator was not superior to the others. CONCLUSION: Respiratory protective equipment can reduce the incidence of occupational immunologic respiratory disease, including occupational asthma, in employees exposed to HHPA.
Authors: Nicholas J Kenyon; Brian M Morrissey; Michael Schivo; Timothy E Albertson Journal: Clin Rev Allergy Immunol Date: 2012-08 Impact factor: 8.667
Authors: Frans Everson; Patrick De Boever; Tim S Nawrot; Nandu Goswami; Mashudu Mthethwa; Ingrid Webster; Dries S Martens; Nyiko Mashele; Sana Charania; Festus Kamau; Hans Strijdom Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-06-28 Impact factor: 3.390