Delayed occupational asthma from epoxy exposure

Abstract

Background: A delayed asthma reaction occurring several hours after exposure is difficult to diagnose.

Aims: To confirm a delayed asthma reaction in five workers following epoxy exposure.

Case report: Working conditions with exposure to epoxy encountered at the workplace were reproduced in a challenge chamber. Specific inhalation challenge (SIC) with epoxy was compared to a control challenge. All five cases had delayed a asthma response 6-15 h after epoxy exposure.

Conclusions: Our study confirms that SIC is a useful tool in diagnosing delayed asthma response.

Keywords: Delayed asthma; epoxy; occupational asthma; specific inhalation challenge.