Case of occupational asthma due to glue containing cyanoacrylate

Abstract

Cyanoacrylates are a rare cause of occupational asthma, there being only six cases reported previously. High humidity has been implicated to be protective in the pathogenesis of the asthma. This is a case report of occupational asthma due to cyanoacrylate glue after working three years in a factory manufacturing doors. Diagnosis was made by history, serial peak flow measurements on and off work and specific inhalation challenge which elicited a delayed bronchoconstrictive response. An unusual feature of this case was the positive reaction to cyanoacrylate despite the high ambient humidity in Singapore.