Occupational Asthma and Rhinitis in Workers from a Lasamide Production Line

• Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 74 - 78
• Main Authors: KLUSACKOVA, Pavlina, LEBEDOVA, Jindriska, PELCLOVA, Daniela, SALANDOVA, Jana, SENHOLDOVA, Zdenka, NAVRATIL, Tomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Helsinki Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health 01-02-2007; National Institute of Occupational Health (Norway); Finnish Institute of Occupational Health; National Institute of Occupational Health (Denmark); Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health; Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
• Subjects: Acids; Adult; Allergens; Allergic diseases; Allergies; Allergy tests; Asthma; Asthma - chemically induced; Benzoates - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Bronchoconstriction; Case report; Chemical hazards; Chemical industry; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma; Cough; Diagnosis; Disease; Dyspnea; Exposure; Hazardous areas; Hazardous materials; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin E - blood; Immunoglobulins; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases; Occupational diseases; Occupational Diseases - chemically induced; Occupational exposure; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Parameters; Pneumology; Precursors; Prognosis; Respiratory diseases; Rhinitis; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial - chemically induced; Signs and symptoms; Skin; Skin Tests; Sneezing; Spirometry; Symptoms; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology; Weight; Czech Republic; Europe; Germany; furosemide; 2, 4-dichloro-5-sulfamoylbenzoic acid; 2, 4-dichloro-5-chlorsulfonylbenzoic acid; specific test; bronchoconstriction; rhinomanometry; Sulfanilamide derivatives; Allergy; Nose disease; Rhinitis; Toxicity; Occupational exposure; Diuretic; Bronchoconstriction; 2,4-dichloro-5-sulfamoylbenzoic acid; Bronchus disease; ENT disease; Worker; Obstructive pulmonary disease; Pharmaceutical industry; Human; Immunopathology; Lung disease; Rhinomanometry; Respiratory disease; 2,4-dichloro-5-chlorsulfonylbenzoic acid; Furosemide; Asthma; Anthranilic acid derivatives; Antihypertensive agent; Occupational medicine
• ISSN: 0355-3140; 1795-990X
• DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.1067

Objectives A wide range of low-molecular-weight agents can cause occupational asthma. The chemical industry is an environment in which numerous hazardous substances are used. Lasamide (2,4-dichloro-5-sulfamoylbenzoic acid) is one of them (along with its precursors). Methods Five patients from a lasamide production line with suspected occupational asthma and rhinitis were examined. During the first visit, skin prick tests, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), a nonspecific bronchoprovocation test, and specific bronchoprovocation tests using occupational agents were performed to confirm the diagnosis of allergic diseases. During the follow-up visit (1-3 years after removal from exposure), all of the tests (except the specific bronchoprovocation test) were performed again. Results At the first hospitalization, the total IgE levels were increased in three patients. In addition, skin prick tests and the nonspecific bronchoprovocation test were positive for three patients. After the specific bronchoprovocation test, serious bronchoconstriction occurred in three patients; symptoms of rhinitis were present in all five patients. Several years after removal from exposure to the occupational agents, normalization (with respect to the parameters followed) was not yet complete for all of the patients. Conclusions The process of lasamide production seems to be hazardous and is likely to cause allergic respiratory disease. The prognosis of allergic diseases caused by these products is not very favorable. Allergic symptoms (despite the removal from occupational allergen exposure) persisted even after several years.