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Occupational asthma due to zinc

J L Malo1, A Cartier, J Dolovich

  • 1Dept of Chest Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur, Montreal, Canada.

The European Respiratory Journal
|March 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

This study identifies zinc exposure as a cause of occupational asthma in a galvanized metal worker. Even at low environmental levels, zinc inhalation triggered asthma symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

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Area of Science:

  • Occupational Medicine
  • Pulmonology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Occupational asthma is a significant health concern, often linked to workplace exposures.
  • Identifying specific causative agents is crucial for prevention and management.

Observation:

  • A non-atopic individual developed asthma symptoms after working in a zinc galvanizing plant.
  • Pulmonary function tests revealed bronchial hyperresponsiveness and a significant fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) during workdays.
  • Environmental monitoring showed zinc and iron below threshold limit values, but skin tests indicated a reaction to zinc sulfate.

Findings:

  • Specific inhalation challenge with zinc sulfate induced an immediate asthmatic reaction, with a 23% fall in FEV1.
  • Despite negative specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to zinc, the clinical and challenge data strongly implicate zinc as the causative agent.
  • The subject's non-atopic status suggests a direct toxic or irritant mechanism rather than a typical allergic pathway.

Implications:

  • Zinc exposure, even below established short-term exposure limits, can lead to occupational asthma.
  • This finding necessitates a re-evaluation of safety thresholds and monitoring protocols for zinc in industrial settings.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which zinc induces occupational asthma.

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