Hydroxylamine used as glutaraldehyde replacement in paper deinking causes occupational asthma (new cause)

Agent	hydroxylamine
Job	Paper recycling (deinker) 2 cases
Specific IgE	not done
Skin prick test	not done
Non-specific reactivity	hyperreactive in 2/2, One showing significant improvement after emoval, the other having no change following a late challenge reaction
Serial Peak Flow	Both positive oasys scores
Induced sputum	not done
Specific Challenge	1/1; Specific bronchial challenge showing late reaction to aerosolised hydroxylamine for 3 minutes, no reaction when painted. Reaction lasted 3 weeks requiring prednisolone.
Follow-up	improved in the one case removed from exposure

References

	Tran S, Francis H, Hoyle J, Niven R, Occupational asthma and the paper recycling industry, Occup Med (London), 2009;59:277-279,

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