Open AccessThe Beneficial Effect of Gauze Mask on Methyltetrahydrophthalic Anhydride‐Induced Allergic Rhinitis
Author(s) -
Johyama Yasushi,
Yokota Kozo,
Yamackjchi Kyohei,
Fujiki Yukio,
Takeshita Tatsuya,
Morimoto Kanehisa
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1539/joh.41.45
Subject(s) - center (category theory) , hygiene , medical education , health science , medicine , family medicine , library science , engineering , computer science , chemistry , pathology , crystallography
Received Oct 15, 1998; Accepted Nov 6, 1998 Correspondence to: K. Morimoto, Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Osaka University School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan Subjects and Methods Forty-five (62%) subjects of a previous study') were engaged in monitoring work in the various work zones and had been continuously exposed to MTHPA during an 8 h work shift. The subjects consisted of 2 male and 3 female workers with severe rhinitis, ranging in age from 22 to 43 years (mean ± SD = 36.8 ± 8.5 yr). The workshop, exposure and details of work-related symptoms were described in detail in a previous papery. Air samples were collected on silica gel tubes equipped with cellulose filters by personal sampling in the breathing zone of the workers with battery-operated pumps. It is hypothesized that gauze masks adsorb MTHPA in air. Therefore, with informed consent, parallel samples were taken on silica gel tubes and gauze masks for the duration of a full work shift. A part (0.6-1 g) of the gauze mask (8 g) was extracted with 50 ml of distilled water, 5 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid, and 100 ml of ether. The extract was dried with anhydrous sodium sulphate. After evaporation, the residue was analyzed. The anhydride analysis followed, with slight modifications, the procedure of Pfaffli et al.6j