Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2009 Sep;21(3):283-288.

A Case of Occupational Asthma and Rhinitis Suspected to be Caused by Exposure to Ethyl Cyanoacrylate

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea. oemdoc21@gmail.com
  • 2Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Ethyl cyanoacrylate is used as a component of adhesives used in the industrial, domestic, and medical fields. It is known to cause mucosal irritation, contact dermatitis and respiratory discomfort. However, reports of combined occupational asthma and rhinitis are rare, especially in Korea. We report a case of occupational asthma and rhinitis suspected to be caused by exposure to ethyl cyanoacrylate.
CASE REPORT
A 36-year-old woman presented with rhinorrhea, cough, dyspnea and chest discomfort after exposure to ethyl cyanoacrylate adhesive at an assembly area of a plastic products manufacturing company. Nasal endoscopy revealed watery rhinorrhea and hypertrophy of nasal turbinates, which were compatible with rhinitis. The methacholine provocation test showed a positive result. Daily variability of peak expiratory flow increased on work days, but decreased during non-work days. Based on these findings, we diagnosed this case as a combination of occupational asthma and rhinitis suspected to be caused by exposure to ethyl cyanoacrylate.
CONCLUSION
There needs to be increased awareness regarding occupational asth-ma and rhinitis caused by exposure to ethyl cyanoacrylate.

Keyword

Cyanoacrylate; Asthma; Rhinitis

MeSH Terms

Adhesives
Adult
Asthma
Asthma, Occupational
Cough
Cyanoacrylates
Dermatitis, Contact
Dyspnea
Endoscopy
Female
Humans
Hypertrophy
Korea
Methacholine Chloride
Plastics
Rhinitis
Thorax
Turbinates
Adhesives
Cyanoacrylates
Methacholine Chloride
Plastics
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