A CLINICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDY OF WORKERS WITH TRIMELLITIC-ANHYDRIDE-INDUCED IMMUNOLOGICAL LUNG-DISEASE AFTER TRANSFER TO LOW EXPOSURE JOBS

The objective of the study was to determine the clinical and immunolog ic status of trimellitic anhydride (TMA) workers who have had immunolo gic lung diseases and who have been moved to lower exposure jobs. Twen ty-nine consecutive workers with TMA-induced immunologic lung diseases who had been moved to low exposure jobs for more than 1 yr were studi ed retrospectively. Pulmonary symptoms were obtained by physician-admi nistered questionnaire. Immunologic studies were performed using radio immunoassay. Spirometry and chest film were obtained. Workers with lat e asthma (LA) (n = 3), late respiratory systemic syndrome (LRSS) (n = 8), or both LRSS and asthma rhinitis (A/R) (n = 6) had improved sympto ms, improved pulmonary functions, and lower total antibody against TM- HSA. Five of the 12 workers with A/R had improved symptoms, improved p ulmonary functions, and lower IgE against TM-HSA, whereas seven contin ued to have moderate to severe symptoms, abnormal pulmonary functions, and elevated IgE against TM-HSA. There were no chest film findings in any group that were definitely attributed to TMA. Although TMA worker s with LA or LRSS improve when moved to lower exposure jobs, only half of workers with A/R improve; elevated IgE against TM-HSA appears to b e a marker for the subpopulation of workers with A/R that does not imp rove.