Eosinophilia, respiratory symptoms and pulmonary infiltrates in rubber workers

R. Bascom, J. F. Fisher, R. J. Thomas, W. N. Yang, M. E. Baser, J. H. Baker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

This report describes a spectrum of respiratory illnesses associated with eosinophilia which occurred in a group of workers exposed to fumes from a synthetic rubber-based curing operation. Respiratory syndromes induced by this exposure included an acute sensitizing illness with dyspnea and wheezing in some workers and pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia in others. Another worker developed chronic obstruction of the airways with recurrent bronchitic illnesses. Mild to marked peripheral eosinophilia, up to 3,000/cu mm, was usually present in the symptomatic workers and in 11 of 30 asymptomatic workers. These cases illustrate the diversity of respiratory illnesses which may result from a common workplace exposure and reinforce the importance of considering occupational exposures in the differential diagnosis of peripheral eosinophilia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)154-158
Number of pages5
JournalCHEST
Volume93
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1988

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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