PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Dick Heederik
AU  - Jacobs Jose
AU  - Frits Van Rooy
AU  - Houba Remko
TI  - An exposure-response relation for soluble platinum-salt exposed workers and sensitization
AID  - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2015.PA2014
DP  - 2015 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - PA2014
VI  - 46
IP  - suppl 59
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA2014.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA2014.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2015 Sep 01; 46
AB  - Background: Soluble platinum salts are well known respiratory sensitizing agents leading to work related sensitization and allergies in the work environment. No quantitative exposure response relation has been described for soluble platinum salts.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using routinely collected health surveillance data and soluble platinum exposure data. Workers who newly entered between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2010 were included and the relation between measured soluble platinum exposure and sensitization (as determined by skin prick testing) was analysed in more than 1000 refinery workers from 5 refineries for whom a total of more than 1700 personal exposure measurements were available. Different exposure proxies were calculated (geometric average exposure, exposure likelihood above existing exposure standards, etc.) and explored in a sensitivity analysis.Results: A clear exposure response relation was observed, most strongly for more recent platinum salt exposure. Average or cumulative exposure over the whole follow-up period were less strongly associated to sensitization risk. The exposure response relationship was modified by smoking and atopy. The exposure response relation was not sensitive to the exposure proxy chosen.Conclusions: A robust exposure respons relation was observed. Indications exist that recent exposure explains the risk for platinum salt sensitization most strongly. The implications of these findings will be discussed.