20 years of medical surveillance on exposure to allergenic and non-allergenic platinum compounds: the importance of chemical speciation.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine - Tập 56 Số 3 - Trang 191-196 - 1999
P J Linnett1, E. G. Hughes2,3,4
1Johnson Matthey, Hertfordshire, UK.
2Orchard Road, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 5HE, UK.
3Orchard Road, Royston, Hertfordshire, UK
4Shepreth, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 6PY, UK

Tóm tắt

OBJECTIVES: Chloroplatinates are potent allergens but other soluble platinum compounds such as tetraammine platinum dichloride (TPC) do not provoke reactions in subjects who are sensitive to chloroplatinates. TPC has been used in the manufacture of autocatalysts for 20 years. This study analyses 20 year data on exposure to soluble platinum compounds and medical surveillance to confirm that TPC is not allergenic. METHODS: Workers in three distinct operations were exposed to soluble platinum compounds as chloroplatinates, chloroplatinates with TPC, or to TPC alone. Results of personal air sampling for soluble platinum compounds were compared together with the results of medical surveillance. RESULTS: The levels of exposure to soluble platinum compounds in each operation were comparable but the incidence of allergy was significantly different. In a subgroup of workers consistently exposed to chemical processes in each operation, the cumulative chance of being sensitised after 5 years of exposure was estimated as 51% for chloroplatinate exposure, 33% for mixed exposure, and 0% for TPC alone. The differences in sensitisation rates could not be explained by age, sex, and atopy. Nor could they be explained by the increased frequency of smoking in the workers with chloroplatinate exposure, despite the markedly higher risk of sensitisation in smokers. The differences could only be explained by the chemical stability of TPC. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the soluble platinum compound TPC is not allergenic under normal industrial conditions. Characterisation of the chemical compound (speciation) is essential to prevent stringent exposure limits being imposed for all soluble compounds on a generic basis.

Từ khóa


Tài liệu tham khảo

The Bramleys, Shepreth, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 6PY, UK E G Hughes Correspondence to: Dr P J Linnett, Johnson Matthey, Orchard Road, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 5HE, UK. Telephone 0044 1763 253020; fax 0044 1763 253017; email: [email protected]

Hunter D, Milton R, Perry KMA. Asthma caused by the complex salts of platinum. Br J Ind Med 1945;2:92–8.

Roberts AE. Platinosis: five year study of the eVects of soluble platinum salts on employees in a platinum laboratory and refinery. Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine 1951:4:549–59.

Baker DB, Gann PH, Brooks SM, et al. Cross-sectional study of platinum salts sensitization among precious metals refinery workers. Am J Ind Med 1990;18:653–64.

Bolm-Audorf U, Bienfait HG, Burkhard J, et al. Prevalence of respiratory allergy in a platinum refinery. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1992;64:257–60.

Venables KM, Dally MB, Nunn AJ, et al. Smoking and occupational allergy in workers in a platinum refinery. BMJ 1989;299:939–42.

Calverly AE, Rees D, Dowdeswell RJ, et al. Platinum salt sensitivity in refinery workers: incidence and eVects of smoking and exposure. Occup Environ Med 1995;52:661–6.

Niezborala M, Garnier G. Allergy to complex platinum salts: a historical prospective cohort study. Occup Environ Med 1996;53:252–7.

Freedman SO, Krupey J. Respiratory allergy caused by platinum salts. J Allergy 1968;42:233–7.

Pepys J, Pickering CAC, Hughes EG. Asthma due to inhaled chemical agents: complex salts of platinum. Clin Allergy 1972;2:391–6.

Hughes EG. Medical surveillance of platinum refinery workers. Journal of the Society of Occupational Medicine 1980;30:27–30.

Health and Safety Executive. The medical monitoring of workers exposed to platinum salts. London: Health and Safety Executive; 1983. (Guidance Note MS22.)

Cleare MJ, Hughes EG, Jacoby B, et al. Immediate (type I) allergic responses to platinum compounds. Clin Allergy 1976;6:183–95.

Health and Safety Executive. Method for the determination of hazardous substances. Platinum metal and soluble platinum compounds in air. London: Health and Safety Executive; 1996. (Guidance Note MDHS 46/2.)

Meldrum M, Northage C, Howe A, et al. Platinum metal and soluble platinum salts. Criteria document for an occupational exposure limit. London: Health and Safety Executive, 1996.

Linnett PJ. Platinum salt sensitivity: a review of the health aspects of platinum refining in South Africa. Journal of the Mine Medical OYcers Association of South Africa 1987;63: 24–8.

Grootveld MC. Studies of the immunochemistry of platinum complexes: the interaction of (PtCl4)2-and (PtCl6)2-with human serum albumin [PhD thesis]. London: London University, 1985.

Health and Safety Executive. Occupational Exposure Limits 1997. London: Health and Safety Executive, 1997. (EH40/ 97.)

Thông tin
Thông tin xuất bản

Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Tập 56 Số 3

191-196

Thông tin tác giả