Occupational asthma and X-Ray chemicals


I am a radiographer of many years who has recently been diagnosed as having occupational asthma. The department I work in uses gluteraldehyde in film proccessing. My condition is progressing at a steady pace. My husband who has to deal with my wheezing and sob has said he would prefer me to go out on disability. The department was supposed to go digital in a few months but it looks likely not to happen in the near future. I am concerned about the long term effects of this condition.What do you think?
Occupational Asthma, Health Professional, 10/22/2006, 1/29/2007,

The most important thing is to validate the diagnosis and I suggest that you keep peak flow records as per the instructions in the "Workers" section of this website. There are a lot of wet chemistry radiographic systems which do not use glutaraldehyde. It should be possible to go to a non glutaraldehyde wet chemistry system if this is the cause of your problem. There are occasional radiographers that develop occupational asthma to other agents so finding the specific cause is important. It should be possible for a senior radiographer to work without exposure to X-Ray chemistry. I would discuss this with your occupational health department.
Abstract Available for Work related respiratory symptoms in radiographers Smedley J, Inskip H, Wield G, Coggon D, Work related respiratory symptoms in radiographers, Occup Environ Med, 1996;53:450-454,
David Coggon, Southampton University, an author of 'Work related respiratory symptoms in radiographers' Julia Smedley, Southampton University Hospital, an author of 'Work related respiratory symptoms in radiographers'

Abstract Available for Occupational asthma due to glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde in endoscopy and X-ray departments Gannon PFG, Bright P, Campbell M, O'Hickey SP, Burge PS, Occupational asthma due to glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde in endoscopy and X-ray departments, Thorax, 1995;50:156-159,
Sherwood Burge, Oasys, an author of 'Occupational asthma due to glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde in endoscopy and X-ray departments' Paul Gannon, Dupont, an author of 'Occupational asthma due to glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde in endoscopy and X-ray departments' Phil Bright, Oasys, an author of 'Occupational asthma due to glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde in endoscopy and X-ray departments' Steve O'Hickey, Worcester Hospital, an author of 'Occupational asthma due to glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde in endoscopy and X-ray departments'

Abstract Available for Occupational health problems in processing of X-ray photographic films Hewitt PJ, Occupational health problems in processing of X-ray photographic films, Ann Occup Hyg, 1993;37:287-295,

No Abstract Available for A radiographer's asthma Trigg CJ, Heap DC, Herdman MJ, Davies RJ, A radiographer's asthma, Respir Med, 1992;86:167-169,

No Abstract Available for Occupational asthma in radiographers Cullinan P, Hayes J, Cannon J, Madan I, Heap D, Newman Taylor AJ, Occupational asthma in radiographers, Lancet, 1992;340:1477-1477,
Paul Cullinan, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK, an author of 'Occupational asthma in radiographers' Tony Newman Taylor, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, an author of 'Occupational asthma in radiographers' Julie Cannon, Royal Brompton Hospital London, an author of 'Occupational asthma in radiographers'

No Abstract Available for Workplace exposure and reported health in New Zealand diagnostic radiographers Spicer J, Hay DM, Gordon M, Workplace exposure and reported health in New Zealand diagnostic radiographers, Australas Radiol, 1986;30:281-286,

11/3/2006

In my later years as a Medical radiographer I was exposed to Gluteraldehyde.
I have a 45% loss of lung function but my treatment plan is excellent. I can live a near normal life for a 74 year old. Keep taking the prescribed medication.
1/29/2007

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