Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

An Air-liquid Interface Bronchial Epithelial Model for Realistic, Repeated Inhalation Exposure to Airborne Particles for Toxicity Testing
09:29

An Air-liquid Interface Bronchial Epithelial Model for Realistic, Repeated Inhalation Exposure to Airborne Particles for Toxicity Testing

Published on: May 13, 2020

[Isocyanate-induced alveolitis in a furniture manufacture worker]

J Holtz1, C Uldry, B Thorens

  • 1Institut universitaire romand de Santé au Travail (IST), rue du Bugnon 19, 1005 Lausanne, Suisse, France. Jacques.Holtz@inst.hospvd.ch

Revue Des Maladies Respiratoires
|September 8, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Exposure to heated Alcantara fabric in furniture manufacturing caused acute respiratory distress. Prompt intervention and removal from exposure led to full recovery, highlighting a new occupational hazard.

Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Toxicology
  • Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

  • Workplace exposure to synthetic materials can pose unforeseen health risks.
  • Identifying the specific causal agent is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.

Observation:

  • A furniture plant worker developed acute dyspnea after using a heated blade on Alcantara material.
  • Chest X-ray revealed a restrictive syndrome, and bronchoalveolar lavage showed high lymphocytes with a low CD4/CD8 ratio, indicating alveolitis.

Findings:

  • Alcantara, a polyurethane fabric, releases isocyanate monomers when heated.
  • This exposure was identified as the cause of the patient's work-related alveolitis.

Implications:

  • This case identifies a novel occupational risk associated with Alcantara use in furniture manufacturing.
  • Eliminating exposure and using corticosteroid therapy resulted in complete recovery.
  • Modifying work procedures effectively mitigated the identified occupational hazard.

More Related Videos

Establishing a Silicosis Rat Model via Exposure of Whole-Body to Respirable Silica05:03

Establishing a Silicosis Rat Model via Exposure of Whole-Body to Respirable Silica

Published on: October 28, 2022

A Silicosis Mouse Model Established by Repeated Inhalation of Crystalline Silica Dust10:45

A Silicosis Mouse Model Established by Repeated Inhalation of Crystalline Silica Dust

Published on: January 6, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
Inhalation Anthrax01:25

Inhalation Anthrax

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium. It primarily affects herbivorous animals but can be transmitted to humans through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation of spores.Cutaneous anthrax, the most common form, typically results from direct contact with bacterial spores through skin abrasions and is generally less severe. Gastrointestinal anthrax results from eating undercooked or contaminated meat. It affects the mouth, throat, or...
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema01:23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema

Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls and permanent enlargement of distal airspaces. Unlike chronic bronchitis, which primarily affects the airways, emphysema predominantly involves the lung parenchyma, where structural damage leads to airflow limitation.PathophysiologyIt most commonly results from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic gases, particularly cigarette smoke.