EARLY REACTION TYPE ALLERGIES AND DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY PASSAGES IN EMPLOYEES FROM PERSULFATE PRODUCTION

The prevalence of positive skin-prick test reactions to ammonium persu lphate and potassium persulphate (1% and 5% solutions) was tested in a cross-sectional study on 52 employees of a company producing persulph ates after a case of ''persulphate asthma'' was observed. A random tes t of 13 persons without occupational exposure to persulphates served a s controls; among them all the skin-prick test reactions were negative . Eight company employees showed a positive skin-prick test reaction t o at least one of the persulphate solutions tested. Employees showed l ower lung function results with a positive prick test reaction than di d employees with a negative result. The positive skin-prick reactions correspond well to the anamnestic data and indicate a possible relatio nship to obstructive ventilation disorders. The results therefore sugg est an IgE-induced, allergic pathomechanism of ''persulphate asthma'' triggered by persulphates.