Korean J Aerosp Environ Med.  2001 Mar;11(1):45-48.

A Case of Line Maintenance Work-Related Asthma

• Lee CY
• Ham JS
• Kim KY
• Lee MH

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.

Keyword

occupational asthma; jet engine exhaust; aviation fuel; kerosene; formaldehyde

MeSH Terms

Aircraft
Asthma*
Asthma, Occupational
Aviation
Formaldehyde
Humans
Kerosene
Middle Aged
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate
Respiratory Function Tests
Rivers
Formaldehyde
Kerosene