Phenotyping Occupational Asthma Caused by Acrylates in a Multicenter Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Medicine
• Pulmonology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Acrylates are known skin sensitizers but not classified as respiratory sensitizers.
• Despite this, cases of acrylate-induced occupational asthma (OA) have been reported.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize acrylate-induced OA.
• To compare these characteristics with OA induced by other low-molecular-weight (LMW) agents.

Main Methods:

• An international, multicenter, retrospective cohort study analyzed subjects with OA.
• Subjects were exposed to acrylates (n=55) or other LMW agents (n=418), including isocyanates (n=125).
• Data included job exposures, clinical/functional characteristics, and airway inflammation markers.

Main Results:

• Acrylate-containing glues were common exposures in industrial manufacturing, dental work, and beauty care.
• Work-related rhinitis was more frequent in acrylate-induced OA than isocyanate-induced OA.
• A significantly greater increase in postchallenge fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) was observed in acrylate-induced OA compared to other LMW agents and isocyanates.

Conclusions:

• Acrylate-induced OA has distinct features, including rhinitis and elevated FeNO, suggesting unique immunologic mechanisms.
• Further investigation into the respiratory sensitization potential of acrylates is needed.
• Reevaluation of the hazard classification for acrylates is recommended.