Modeling of exposure to carpet-cleaning chemicals preceding irritant-induced asthma in one patient

A 42-year-old woman experienced an acute asthma attack, seizures, and uncon sciousness immediately after a carpet-cleaning and deodorizing job was cond ucted in her home. Exposure modeling estimates that she was exposed to appr oximately 3.4-17 mg/m(3) of sodium tripolyphosphate and more than 14 mg/m(3 ) volatile organic compounds immediately after the cleaning. I derived two separate exposure models for these estimates that evidenced good consistenc y of exposure estimates. Asthmatics and carpet-cleaning companies should be advised about safety during carpet-cleaning operations, including adequate warnings about excess risk for asthmatics, temporary removal from the home , reduced detergent levels within cleaners, and reduced overall levels of c leaning solutions used within the home. Further studies of carpet-cleaning exposures are indicated.