Abstract
Purpose: Isocyanates are highly reactive chemicals used in a number of industries including paints. Therefore, house painters are known to be at risk for occupational exposure to isocyanates. Our objectives in this study were: (1) to investigate the possible effects of isocyanate exposition on the bronchoalveolar epithelial permeability in house painters by using Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol lung scintigraphy; (2) to assess whether or not some differences exist between asthmatic and non-asthmatic house painters, and (3) to determine the relationship between Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol lung scintigraphy and the spirometric measurements, and the work duration of house painters.Materials and Methods: Ten non-smoking house painters (28.8±8.8 yrs) and ten healthy volunteers underwent Tc-99m DTPA radioaerosol lung scintigraphy. Following inhalation of radiotracer through a nebulizer for 5 minutes, dynamic scintigrams (1 frame/min, up to 10 min) were taken from both lungs. ROI's were drawn over the both lung area, and time-activity curves were obtained, from which the half-time (T1/2) of Tc-99m DTPA clearance was calculated. Spirometric lung function test was measured in all house painters.Results: Mean T1/2 values (min±SD) were 93.74±32.79 for house painters, and 90.96±40.02 for control subjects. There was no significant difference in T1/2 values of Tc-99m DTPA clearance between house painters and controls, and between asthmatic and non-asthmatic house painters as well. No correlation was observed between T1/2 values of Tc-99m DTPA clearance and spirometric measurements. In house painters, there was a positive correlation between T1/2 values of Tc-99m DTPA clearance and work duration (r=0.73, p=0.016).Conclusions: Our findings indicate that in house painters, occupational exposure to isocyanates has no effect on bronchoal veolar epithelial permeability, and the rate of Tc-99m DTPA clearance shows no difference between asthmatic and non-asthmatic house painters. The positive correlation between the rate of Tc-99m DTPA clearance and work duration needs to be confirmed in larger cohorts.
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Kaya, M., Salan, A., Tabakoĝlu, E. et al. The bronchoalveolar epithelial permeability in house painters as determined by Tc-99m DTPA aerosol scintigraphy. Ann Nucl Med 17, 305–308 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02988526
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02988526