Occupational asthma due to styrene: two case reports
Moscato, G.; Biscaldi, G.; Cottica, D.; Pugliese, F.; Candura, S.; Candura, F.
Journal of Occupational Medicine. Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association 29(12): 957-960
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0096-1736 PMID: 3430203 Document Number: 288410
Two cases of occupational asthma due to styrene are described. The subjects complained of cough, breathlessness, and symptoms of asthma when coming into contact with styrene; in patient 1 the respiratory reaction was followed by a late cutaneous rash. The symptoms disappeared when the subjects were away from work on weekends or holidays. In both cases, inhalation challenge with styrene produced an immediate bronchospastic reaction which was followed by a late cutaneous rash in patient 1. Prior administration of disodium cromoglycate (40 mg from a spinhaler) prevented the respiratory reactions completely, but failed to prevent the late skin response in case 1. Styrene removal was followed by complete disappearance of the symptoms. We conclude that styrene can be a primary cause of occupational asthma.