The Beneficial Effect of Gauze Mask on Methyltetrahydrophthalic Anhydride-Induced Allergic Rhinitis

• Published in: Journal of Occupational Health Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 45 - 46
• Main Authors: Johyama, Yasushi, Yokota, Kozo, Yamackjchi, Kyohei, Fujiki, Yukio, Takeshita, Tatsuya, Morimoto, Kanehisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese; English
• Published: Tokyo JAPAN SOCIETY FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 1999; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Allergic rhinitis; Gauze mask; Methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride
• ISSN: 1341-9145; 1348-9585; 1348-9585
• DOI: 10.1539/joh.41.45

Methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) is a dicarboxylic anhydride used as a hardener for epoxy resins, typically requires a high curing temperature (50-200℃) which facilitates the escape of MTHPA vapours, and has been reported to cause type I allergy 1-4). We have previously reported on a cross-sectional survey of 73 employees currently exposed to MTHPA in a condenser plant 5). In spite of relatively low current exposures to MTHPA a high proportion (63%) of those surveyed had detectable levels of specific IgE antibodies, a finding attributable perhaps to higher exposures in the past. Sensitization was more common among those with work-related rhinitis, and no cases of occupational asthma were identified. When workers with symptomatic rhinitis were asked about factors that improve symptoms, their answers were taking medicine, washing their face, taking a bath, or wearing a gauze mask. We felt a great interest in the gauze mask, since personal protective equipment such as a gas mask considerably limits the workers activity during work but the gauze mask does not. The purpose of this study was therefore to clarify why the gauze mask improves rhinitis symptoms. Subjects and Methods Forty-five (62%) subjects of a previous study 5) were engaged in monitoring work in the various work zones and had been continuously exposed to MTHPA during an 8 h work shift. The subjects consisted of 2 male and 3 female workers with severe rhinitis, ranging in age from 22 to 43 years (mean ± SD = 36.8 ± 8.5 yr). The workshop, exposure and details of work-related symptoms were described in detail in a previous paper 5).