A Case of Line Maintenance Work-Related Asthma.
- Author:
Chae Yong LEE
1
;
Jeong Sik HAM
;
Keon Yeop KIM
;
Moo Hoon LEE
Author Information
1. Department of preventive medicine, Aeromedical Center, ROKAF.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
occupational asthma;
jet engine exhaust;
aviation fuel;
kerosene;
formaldehyde
- MeSH:
Aircraft;
Asthma*;
Asthma, Occupational;
Aviation;
Formaldehyde;
Humans;
Kerosene;
Middle Aged;
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate;
Respiratory Function Tests;
Rivers
- From:Korean Journal of Aerospace and Environmental Medicine
2001;11(1):45-48
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the work-relation of the asthma of a 51-year old aircraft maintenance worker and his working environment METHODS: For 2 weeks, the patient went back into his workplace. The pulmonary function test including FEV1 was performed every other day morning in the hospital and peak expiratory flow rate(PEFR) self-monitoring was done 6 times a day. RESULTS: The patient has been worked as aircraft maintenance worker in line maintenance department since 1968. The pulmonary function test(PFT) with bronchodilator confirmed the asthma of the patient. He showed positive response to 2-weeks workplace challenge test. On 3rd day after stopping challenge exposure, FEV 1.0 was 1.04 L(55 % of baseline measurement). The result of PEFR self-monitoring showed progressively deteriorating pattern, baseline PEFR was 6.02 L/min but PEFR on 3rd day after stopping exposure was 2.43 L/min. CONCLUSIONS: The present case could be occupational asthma based on positive results of PEFR monitoring. Further research will be needed to find the specific agent to cause asthma in aircraft maintenance workers exposed to aviation fuel and jet stream exhausts.
