An immunologic and genetic study of asthma in workers in an aluminum smelter
Article Abstract:
People who work in the potrooms of aluminum smelters appear to have an increased risk of developing asthma, but the specific process involved is not understood. Groups of workers in Norway, Australia, and the Netherlands have been evaluated; one theory that has emerged from these studies is that an allergic reaction to substances in the work environment causes the asthma. It has been suggested that the type of allergy is atopic hypersensitivity, an allergy for which there is an inherited predisposition. This is consistent with the observation that only some of the aluminum smelter workers develop asthma, and the condition generally resolves when the person is away from the smelter. Each time an affected worker is re-exposed to the work environment, the asthmatic symptoms return more quickly than the previous time; this response also suggests an allergic process. In this study, potroom workers were tested to assess whether the asthma is associated with immunologic determinants or genetic markers. Blood samples were obtained from 33 workers with asthma and 127 without asthma. Various tests of immunoglobulin and autoantibody (immune protein) levels showed that there was no difference between the immune function of asthmatics and nonasthmatics. In addition, the genetic markers tested did not reveal a difference between asthmatic and nonasthmatic groups. Among the workers with asthma, 64 percent had evidence of atopy (allergy with a genetic predisposition), but 36 percent did not. It was concluded that there may two different processes of asthma causation among aluminum smelter workers: atopy-related and non-atopy-related factors. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1990
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Prolonged asthma after smoke inhalation: a report of three cases and a review of previous reports
Article Abstract:
Asthma and asthma-like syndromes frequently develop during sudden exposure to high doses of irritants. One situation where this frequently occurs is during and following a fire. Many of these asthmatic episodes resolve shortly after the exposure with or without medication. In many instances, however, asthmatic symptoms recur and even worsen, requiring sustained and long-term drug treatment. Three cases are presented of asthma that developed after exposure to the pyrolysis products of fires, particularly from burning plastics. These cases illustrate the development of fixed and reversible obstructive pulmonary disease, even after apparent recovery from the initial episode. Smoke residues include such toxic inhalants as ammonia, acrolein, aldehydes, SO2, NO2, hydrogen fluoride, phosgene, chlorine, HCl, and aldehydes. Various therapeutic interventions are discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1991
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Occupational asthma due to alkyl cyanoacrylate
Article Abstract:
Reports of bronchial asthma related to exposure to industrial chemicals have been increasing. A case is described of asthma developing in a worker four months after she had started working with a cyanoacrylate, compounds that are widely used in adhesives. In this case, there was both a familial and personal history of asthma or hives. Medical tests supported the diagnosis of asthma, although simple irritation of the bronchial tract by the glue vapors were not ruled out. Only one other case in the literature has reported asthma development following exposure to adhesives. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1990
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