Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Case Report

A Case of Occupational Asthma and Rhinitis Suspected to be Caused by Exposure to Ethyl Cyanoacrylate: Soon Woo Jang, Ki Chul Nam, Hyung Joon Jhun, Byoung Gwon Kim, Jong Tae Park; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009;21(3):283-288. Published online September 30, 2009; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2009.21.3.283

Abstract PDF: 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.

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