Documents pneumotoxic effects 5 results

"Dans l'industrie agroalimentaire, de nombreuses sources d'allergènes inhalés peuvent entraîner l'apparition d'allergies respiratoires professionnelles : produits laitiers, oeuf, viandes, poissons et crustacés, farines de céréales, légumineuses, graines, fruits et légumes... La prévalence de la rhinite et de l'asthme chez les salariés y semble cependant peu élevée. Sont principalement concernés les professionnels du secteur de la transformation des produits de la mer, de la boulangerie et de la pâtisserie industrielles, de la confiserie, des abattoirs, de la boucherie, de la charcuterie et de la poissonnerie industrielle. Les allergènes potentiels sont le plus souvent de nature protéique, susceptibles d'entraîner une sensibilisation IgE-dépendante, essentiellement par inhalation. On observe l'émergence du rôle d'agents chimiques de faible poids moléculaire, tels les désinfectants, largement utilisés dans cette industrie.Le diagnostic repose sur l'existence de symptômes avec un rythme professionnel, la réalisation d'un bilan fonctionnel respiratoire et la mise en évidence d'une sensibilisation à des allergènes présents sur le lieu de travail au moyen de tests cutanés ou biologiques. La confirmation de la causalité allergique peut requérir la réalisation en milieu spécialisé d'un test de provocation nasale ou bronchique spécifique. La prévention technique vise en priorité la réduction de l'exposition aux allergènes, en limitant l'empoussièrement et la dispersion aérienne de produits volatils."

Background Whether vanadium induces bronchial hyperresponsiveness and asthma in previously normal subjects is unresolved: the two reported series addressing this question both have shortcomings. Objective To determine the cause of cough and breathlessness in vanadium plant workers after variable periods of exposure. Design Case series of employees presenting with persistent symptoms over a 24-month study period. Patients and Methods Forty of an estimated 1,440 patients were investigated by 1) blood count and serum IgE, 2) intracutaneous allergen skin tests, 3) spirometry, and 4) bronchoprovocation by histamine inhalation or exercise challenge. Exposure was assessed by measurement of 1) ambient V2O5, NH3 and SO2 over 7 days during the 24-month study period, 2) urine vanadium concentration at time of first presentation. Results Twelve of 40 subjects had bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR), and these were compared to 12 age-matched companion subjects whose BHR was normal. In 10, BHR was diagnosed by histamine inhalation (PC20 0.25-1.82 mg/ml, nl > 8.0 mg/ml), and in six of these the abnormality was severe (PC20 < 0.5 mg/ml). A further two had BHR by exercise challenge (FEV1, 600 ml/30% and 770 ml/18% pre/post exercise). After removal from exposure, 9 of the 12 subjects returned for follow-up 5 to 23 months later. BHR was worse in one, still present although less severe in five, and was no longer found in one subject. Baseline spirometry measurements were normal in seven subjects and only mildly impaired in the remaining five of the 12 subjects with BHR. Conclusion This study provides strong supporting evidence that inhaled V205 induces BHR and asthma in subjects previously free of lung disease; the abnormality may persist for up to 23 months following exposure; routine spirometry will not detect affected subjects.

"During recent years in Western countries, diisocyanates are one of the main causes of occupational asthma. The mechanism of diisocyanate‐induced asthma is still unknown but recent evidence suggests immunological mechanisms, including cell‐mediated immune responses. Immune responses to isocyanates may result in different illnesses, cell‐ and/or antibody‐mediated entities. In addition, irritative, toxic, and mutagenic effects may occur. This review summarizes current knowledge of the pathomechanisms, including immuological and nonimmunological (mutagenic and genotoxic) aspects of isocyanate disorders."