Piperazine-induced airway symptoms: exposure-response relationships and selection in an occupational setting

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700060505· OSTI ID:5741630

Hagmar, L; Bellander, T; Ranstam, J; Skerfving, S

The heterocyclic secondary amine piperazine is known to cause asthma. In a cohort of 602 workers, employed during the period 1942-1979, at a chemical industry where piperazine is handled, a study conducted by means of a mailed questionnaire showed a strong exposure-response relationship as to frequency of work-related airway symptoms indicating asthma. In the most exposed group about a third of the workers had experienced such symptoms. Age, length of employment, smoking habits, and previous work-related asthmatic symptoms, but not atopy, modified the response. Further, there was an association between piperazine exposure and chronic bronchitis. In the most exposed group every fourth subject had chronic bronchitis. The frequency was modified by smoking habits; atopy was a confounder. Although many subjects, especially high-exposed ones, left work because of airway symptoms, there was no difference in occurrence of airway symptoms between former and present employees.

• Research Organization: Univ. Hospital, Lund, Sweden
• OSTI ID: 5741630
• Journal Information: Am. J. Ind. Med.; (United States), Vol. 6:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
PERSONNEL
SENSITIVITY
PIPERAZINES
HEALTH HAZARDS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ASTHMA
BRONCHITIS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
SYMPTOMS
TOBACCO SMOKES
AEROSOLS
AZINES
COLLOIDS
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
HAZARDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PYRAZINES
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SMOKES
SOLS
560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)