Korean J Occup Environ Med. 2006 Jun;18(2):94-102. Korean.
Published online Jan 30, 2019.
Copyright © 2006 The Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Original Article

Prevalence of Occupational Asthma and Exposure Level of Pharmaceutical Dust of Workers in a Pharmaceutical Company

Sung Soo Oh, Yong Hyu Choi, Eun A Kim, Young Mok Lee, Jae Kil Jang, Jang Jin Yoo, Seung Hyun Park, Soo Young Jung, Tae Kyun Kim, Kyoo Sang Kim and Seong Kyu Kang
    • Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Korea.
    • Changwon Hospital, Workers Accident Medical Corporation, Korea.
    • Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Korea.
    • Industrial Health Center, Severance Hospital, Korea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

After the investigation of one worker with occupational asthma, we surveyed the prevalence of occupational asthma and the exposure level of pharmaceutical dust of 32 workers in a pharmaceutical company.

METHODS

Thirty-two of the 90 employees participated in the survey which consisted of questionnaire, blood sampling, spirometry and skin prick tests with 8 common allergens as well as 9 antibiotics and 2 enzymes. Various indices of the working environment were also measured. Subjects who had a symptom suggestive of work-related asthma or positive skin prick test were further investigated by PC20 methacholine. Nine subjects who had a PC20 result of 16 mg/ml or less (n=7) or had work-related symptoms and positive skin prick test (n=2) were referred to undergo a specific bronchial provocation test to pharmaceutical dust in an academic allergic disease center.

RESULTS

Eleven of 32 workers (34.4%) had a work-related symptom suggestive of occupational asthma. Ten (31.2%) showed positive skin prick test. 8 (25.0%) had a PC20 result of 16 mg/ml or less (indicative of significant bronchial hyperresponsiveness), and 5 (15.6%) had a positive result on the specific bronchial provocation test. Exposure levels of stuffing, input of raw materials and screening process were relatively high.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey showed that pharmaceutical workers have an increased risk of occupational asthma. Although pharmaceutical factories maintain a relatively good working environment, careful control of respiratory tract exposures, especially during stuffing, input of raw materials and screening process, is important to prevent occupational asthma. Pharmaceutical workers need to undergo regular skin prick and methacholine bronchial provocation tests, as well as asthmatic symptom survey, to ensure the early detection and prevention of occupational asthma.

Keywords
Occupational asthma; Prevalence; Exposure level; Pharmaceutical worker


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