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Biomedical subjects

A J Slovak

Publications and source records attributed to A J Slovak.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Does RSI exist?

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders↗
PubMed1987

Does atopy have any predictive value for laboratory animal allergy? A comparison of different concepts of atopy.

Atopy is widely used as a discriminant in selection for employment involving exposure to allergenic substances. The validity of this has been tested in a population with a known burden of what is largely considered to be an IgE mediated disease, laboratory animal allergy. The findings suggest that atopy is insufficiently sensitive and specific for this purpose and that this is probably true for other occupational allergic diseases. The relation between different concepts of atopy--namely, atopy defined by family history, by personal history, and by skin prick tests with common allergens--has also been examined. The subpopulations identified by these criteria differed appreciably. Different concepts of atopy should not be used synonymously as they often are at present.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Efficacy of the helmet respirator in occupational asthma due to laboratory animal allergy (LAA).

The efficacy of the Racal Airstream helmet respirator in preventing symptoms due to Laboratory Animal Allergy (LAA) was assessed in ten patients. Eight of these were established cases of asthma and two had severe rhinitis. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) readings, recorded every two hours, were kept for seven weeks (six in exposure), together with a diary of subjective symptoms. Objective evidence of good protection was obtained in six out of the eight asthmatic patients; overt asthma was seen in the other two. The helmet respirator would appear to be a valuable adjunct in the management of occupational asthma in those who opt to remain in exposure. Those asthmatics who use a helmet respirator need to be monitored carefully and regularly to ensure that their respiratory function has not deteriorated. Persons with severe local symptoms of rhinitis and conjunctivitis also benefit subjectively from the use of the helmet although symptoms are not completely suppressed nor may progression towards asthma be prevented. The findings may well be applicable to the management of other types of occupational asthma but any inferences should be drawn with caution.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Delayed dermal burns caused by dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate.

A chemical operator handling dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) developed delayed and pain-free burns on one of his feet 2 days after a supposed spillage of DMAD. The injuries were confirmed to be associated with DMAD by chemical analysis of the operator's safety boot and patch tests. DMAD easily penetrates some protective clothing and dilute solutions can still be hazardous: the toxic effect is compounded by being delayed and painless. The lachrymatory irritant properties of undiluted DMAD are not adequate warning of its presence or spillage in quantities sufficient to cause significant skin damage.

Acetylene↗
PubMed1981

Laboratory animal allergy: a clinical survey of an exposed population.

A clinical survey of workers exposed to laboratory animals in a pharmaceutical company was designed to discover the prevalence and severity of symptoms of laboratory animal allergy (LAA). The overall prevalence of the condition was 30%, and two distinguishable LAA syndromes, termed regional and progressive LAA, were found. The first is characterised by rhinitis with negative skin prick tests. The second consists of rhinitis leading progressively to asthma with positive prick tests. Prick tests were useful diagnostically only in the latter. Atopes were shown not to be at special risk of developing LAA, but if they did so were more likely to progress to asthma. The implications for selection and management policy are outlined and specific measures for the further study of LAA are proposed.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Occupational asthma caused by a plastics blowing agent, azodicarbonamide.

A prevalence study of occupational asthma was carried out by questionnaire in 1980 among a group of 151 workers who had been exposed to azodicarbonamide dust in the process of its manufacture. Twenty-eight (18.5%) people without previous asthma gave a history of episodes of late onset asthma after exposure to azodicarbonamide. Re-exposure caused repetition and worsening of symptoms. Immediate removal from further exposure resulted in rapid cessation of symptoms without further recurrence. Seven of 13 sensitised individuals who were still exposed three months after the onset of disease developed prolonged airways hyperreactivity to common environmental irritants. Azodicarbonamide should be excluded as a causative agent in plastics and rubber industry workers complaining of occupational asthma.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Contact dermatitis due to benzisothiazolone in a works analytical team.

In the quality control laboratory of a chemical firm, 11 of 16 men developed dermatitis. Of the allergenic substances used, seven men reacted to benzisothiazolone, two to dinitrochlorobenzene, and none to diphenylamine. Two men were negative to all three substances. A poorly ventilated humid working environment was thought to be an important contributory factor.

Dermatitis, Contact↗