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Grand Rounds
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| Occupational Asthma and Contact Dermatitis in a Spray Painter after Introduction of an Aziridine Cross-Linker Christopher T. Leffler and Donald K. Milton Occupational Health Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Abstract
A 23-year-old spray painter developed contact dermatitis and respiratory difficulty characterized by small airways obstruction shortly after the polyfunctional aziridine cross-linker CX-100 began to be used in his workplace as a paint activator. The symptoms resolved after he was removed from the workplace and was treated with inhaled and topical steroids. Painters may have an increased risk of asthma due to exposure to a variety of agents, such as isocyanates, alkyd resins, and chromates. This case illustrates the importance of using appropriate work practices and personal protective equipment to minimize exposure. Occupational asthma is diagnosed by a history of work-related symptoms and exposure to known causative agents. The diagnosis is confirmed by serial pulmonary function testing or inhalational challenge testing. The risk of asthma attributable to occupational exposures is probably underappreciated due to underreporting and to inappropriate use of narrow definitions of exposure in epidemiologic studes of attributable risk. Key words: aziridine, contact dermatitis, occupational asthma, personal protective equipment, spray painting. Environ Health Perspect 107:599-601 (1999) . [Online 16 June 1999] http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1999/107p599-601leffler/ abstract.html Address correspondence to D.K. Milton, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 USA. Telephone: (617) 432-3324. Fax: (617) 432-0219. E-mail: dmilton@hohp.harvard.edu Received 22 March 1999 ; accepted 22 April 1999.
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