BRONCHIAL SYMPTOMS AND RESPIRATORY-FUNCTION IN WORKERS EXPOSED TO METHYLMETHACRYLATE

This study aimed to investigate the pulmonary effects of methylmethacr ylate (MMA) in a group of occupationally exposed workers. In the expos ed group 20% had chronic cough compared with 1% in controls. Spirometr ic values at the beginning of the workshift were similar in both group s, but a mild airways obstruction appeared during the workshift. The m aximum expiratory flow when 50% of the forced vital capacity remained to be exhaled (MEF50) and the ratio of MEF50 to maximal expiratory flo w (MEF50/MEF) decreased significantly during the workshift among expos ed workers v controls (p = 0.04 and 0.01 respectively). Results remain ed unaffected after adjustment for smoking. Exposure to MMA seems to b e responsible for a mild airways obstruction but further study on a la rger population would be useful.