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Fit testing - anaphylactic shock or asthma attacks
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#1 Posted : 20 October 2009 15:51:00(UTC)
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Posted By ColinPink
Hello,

Were rolling out fit testing for FFP3 masks at present and have just recieved some advice regarding the potential risk of alergic reaction to the Bitrex or the test inducing an asthma attack.

Were taking this seriously as we have a lot of staff.

Is anyone aware of how often this happens or is this a rare occurence?

Colin
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#2 Posted : 20 October 2009 15:54:00(UTC)
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Posted By Elfy
Hi Colin.

Where did this advice come from?
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#3 Posted : 20 October 2009 16:01:00(UTC)
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Posted By Rob W
For qualitative testing a sweet solution can be used ( saccharin based I believe )
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#4 Posted : 20 October 2009 16:08:00(UTC)
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Posted By ColinPink
Hi,

The advice was from another reliable organisation.

I assume sachrin could still cause a asthma attack as the process is the same.

Colin
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#5 Posted : 20 October 2009 16:12:00(UTC)
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Posted By Descarte
I recall the question initially being raised on these forums a number of weeks ago. Will look to see if I can find it
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#6 Posted : 20 October 2009 16:14:00(UTC)
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Posted By Descarte
Here:

http://www.iosh.co.uk/in...iew&forum=1&thread=47548

And it states the evidence is purely annecdotal, although it may be that your source has some further more reliable source to back u ptheir concerns?
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#7 Posted : 20 October 2009 16:18:00(UTC)
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Posted By ColinPink
Thanks

I'll review that and look into the cases

Colin
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#8 Posted : 20 October 2009 17:10:00(UTC)
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Posted By Chris Packham
I could not find any reference to anaphylaxis in my library of dermatological books. However, I did find the following in Fisher's Contact Dermatitis:
Bjorkner (Bjorkner B, Contact urticaria and asthma from detonium benzoate [Bitrex]. Contact Dermatitis, 1980;6:466)reported that a 30-year-old maid developed asthma and pruritus after using an insecticidal spray. The same symptoms appeared with an alcoholic skin disinfectant and other spiritous preparations denatured with denatonium benzoate. An open epicutaneous test showed a wheal and erythema to the substances in question and Bitrex diluted to 2x10(-6)mg 1(-1).
So whilst reactions can occur the paucity of reports that I have been able to find suggest to me that the reaction is very uncommon.

Chris
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