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Occupational immediate-type asthma and rhinitis due to rhodium salts
Rolf Merget1, Ingrid Sander, Vera van Kampen
1Research Institute of Occupational Medicine, German Social Accident Insurance (BGFA), Ruhr University, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, Bochum, Germany. merget@bgfa.de
Background:
Whereas platinum salts are well known occupational allergens, rhodium salts have not been identified as inhalative sensitizing substances.
Methods:
A 27-year-old atopic operator of an electroplating plant developed work-related shortness of breath and runny nose with sneezing after exposure to rhodium salts. Quantitative skin prick tests (SPT) and bronchial challenge tests with a dosimeter protocol were performed with quadrupling doses of the sodium chloride salts of rhodium (Na(3)RhCl(6)) and platinum (Na(2)PtCl(6)).
Results:
The patient showed positive SPT reactions and positive bronchial immediate-type reactions with rhodium and platinum salts. Sensitivity to rhodium salt was much higher than to platinum salt; the molar concentrations differed by a factor of 256 in SPT and a factor of 16 in bronchial challenges.
Conclusions:
Rhodium salts should be considered as occupational immediate-type allergens.
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