Allergic airway disease caused by methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride in epoxy resin

Abstract

Work-associated rhinitis and asthma occurred in a subject exposed to methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHP) used as a curing agent in an epoxy resin system. He displayed bronchial hyperreactivity in provocation with methacholine, as well as skin prick test positivity and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) serum antibodies, against a conjugate of MTHP and human serum albumin. Thus, it seems likely that the disease was caused by an IgE-mediated allergy.