Evaluation and control of a respiratory exposure to 3-(dimethylamino) propylamine

In 1974 a study was undertaken to assess the symptoms and pulmonary function of a group of 25 workers who were exposed to an epoxy resin system in the mold room of a ski manufacturing plant. The amine 3-dimethylamino propylamine (3-DMAPA) was the only volatilized substance. Assemblers, the sub-group with the highest breathing zone exposure to 3-DMAPA (0.9 ppm), had the highest prevalence of symptoms and a significant decrease in lung function over the workshift. Extensive improvements in local ventilation reduced the average breathing zone exposure to nearly one-seventh of the 1974 concentration. A 1977 cross-sectional study showed that at this level there was a marked reduction in symptoms and the expiratory function of assemblers no longer decreased over the workshift. Longitudianl comparison of the lung function of workers exposed more than two years showed evidence of a decrease from 1975 to 1977, but none from 1977 to 1978.