Risk factors for sensitisation to methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride

Abstract

Objectives - To examine an association between specific IgE to methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) and exposure time, atopic history, smoking habits, and total IgE concentrations. Methods - A cross sectional survey was carried out on a population of 148 workers from two condenser plants using epoxy resin with MTHPA, an acid anhydride curing agent known to cause allergy. Results - Using a Pharmacia CAP system with a MTHPA human serum albumin conjugate, specific IgE antibody was detected in serum from 97 (66%) out of the 148 workers exposed to MTHPA. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed a striking relation between log concentrations of specific and total IgE (P<0.0001). Furthermore, when the workers were divided into two groups according to a cut-off point (100 IU/ml) between low and high total IgE, current smoking was significantly (P=0.025) associated with specific IgE production only in the group with low total IgE (<100 IU/ml). Conclusions - Smoking is the most significant risk factor for raising specific IgE to MTHPA in the group with low total IgE concentrations.