LUMBER-INDUSTRY
WOOD-DUSTS
BRONCHIAL-ASTHMA

OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA CAUSED BY OAK WOOD DUST

Three cases of occupational asthma caused by exposure to oak wood dust were described. In all three cases skin prick tests were negative for oak dust. Specific inhalation challenges were assessed by forced expiratory volumes after 1 second (FEV1s). Challenges with other wood dusts and exposures produced no change in FEV1s. The first case involved a man employed for 8 years by a mobile home manufacturer. Daily occupational exposures to oak, spruce and jack pine wood dust were reported. Symptoms included dyspnea, chest tightness, wheezing. The second case involved a man employed for 24 years as a coffin maker. Occupational exposures included oak and obeche. A 10 year history of chest tightness, cough and wheezing was reported. The third case involved a male carpenter employed for 20 years by a door and window frame manufacturer. A 3 year history of rhinorrhea, sneezing, chest tightness, wheezing, and cough at work was reported. Specific inhalation challenges with oak dust confirmed diagnoses of occupational asthma in these patients.

Chest, 108(3):856-858, 1995. (9 references)

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