Acute Expanded Perlite Exposure with Persistent Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome

Expanded perlite has been assumed as simple nuisance, however during an acciden- tal spill out in Taiwan, among 24 exposed workers followed for more than 6 months, three devel- oped persisted respiratory symptoms and positive provocation tests were compatible with reac- tive airway dysfunction syndrome. During simulation experiment expanded perlite is shown to be very dusty and greatly exceed current exposure permission level. Review of literature and evidence, though exposure of expanded perlite below permission level may be generally safe, pre- cautionary protection of short term heavy exposure is warranted.