October 2007
Epidemiology Study of Asthma and Superglue*
Our Challenge
- We were retained to assess the association between asthma and occupational exposure to methyl cyanoacrylate (MCA) and ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA)
Our Approach
- Reviewed employee medical records and occupational histories covering a period of about 17 years on 450 persons who were employed at an adhesive production facility
Our Findings
- There was no evidence that exposure to short-term concentrations of ECA or MCA of less than 0.5 ppm and, occasional daily, peak exposures of at least 1.5 ppm (usually<10 min) were associated with an increased risk of pulmonary obstruction.
- Results suggested that persons occupationally exposed to cyanoacrylates were more likely to have reversible eye or upper airway irritation than persons who were unexposed.
- This was the first epidemiologic study investigating the adverse respiratory effects of occupational exposure to either MCA or ECA whose findings were peer-reviewed and published : Goodman, et al., Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 59:135-163, (2000).