Bronchial provocation testing of sodium iso-nonanoyl oxybenzene sulphonate.

1. Asthmatic symptoms have been reported in workers following occupational exposure to certain low molecular ratio chemicals. 2. A small number of workers involved in the initial manufacture of a new low temperature bleach activating chemical, sodium iso-nonanoyl oxybenzene sulphonate (SINOS) developed rashes, rhinitis and conjunctivitis following exposure to the compound. One worker also developed asthma. An investigative study was undertaken to examine the possible asthmatic effects of inhaling SINOS in naive non-asthmatic and asthmatic subjects handling the material in the laboratory setting. 3. Since SINOS has a similar chemical structure to aspirin, it was hypothesized that SINOS-associated asthma might be elicited by a mechanism similar to the mechanism associated with aspirin asthma. Therefore aspirin-sensitive asthmatics were also included in the study. 4. No adverse respiratory reactions were observed in the non-asthmatic subjects or in the aspirin and non-aspirin-sensitive patient volunteers following exposure to SINOS dust at atmospheric concentrations of up to 36.3 micrograms m-3. 5. Skin prick tests to increasing concentrations of SINOS were carried out in all subjects. No positive reactions were observed on any occasion. 6. This study indicates that SINOS does not elicit asthma via a mechanism similar to aspirin. Additionally, the study suggests that the addition of SINOS to washing powder will not cause significant respiratory reactions in consumers even if they are asthmatic or intolerant to aspirin.