ACUTE AND LONG-TERM AIRWAY HYPERREACTIVITY IN ALUMINUM-SALT EXPOSED WORKERS WITH NOCTURNAL ASTHMA

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 66  (2) , 105-118
Abstract
Nineteen young male workers exposed occupationally from 1975-1977 to inhaled particles of aluminum fluoride or sulfate at 2 plants, developed nocturnal wheezing and breathlessness with reversible airways obstruction after an average of 4 mo. employment. At standardized methacholine provocation tests (MPT), 17 of 19 workers with normal spirometry showed airway hyperreactivity with a fall of FEV1 [forced expiratory volume in 1 s] of .gtoreq. 15% after 0.1% methacholine [MCh]. Fifteen initially asthmatic workers were followed for 2-5 yr with MPT. Mean TD [threshold dose] 15% FEV1 in 11 workers did not change significantly after an average of 41 mo. of nonexposure, 6 workers continuously exposed for 48 mo. also failed to change their TD 15% FEV1 MCh. In 1983, only 1 subject had returned to normal airway reactivity. There apparently are no inducing agents other than Al salts.