Histamine provocation test: an effective pre-employment selection method for aluminium workers.

A descriptive study was made at a primary aluminium smelter to find evidence of the efficiency of the Histamine Provocation Test as part of a pre-employment examination. 174 cases of potroom asthma were divided into two groups. 157 cases were employed in the years 1970-1981. The second group consisted of 17 men who were employed after the introduction of the HPT in 1982. The urinary fluoride levels showed a lowering in exposure to fluorides during the last five years. Medical data collected at the pre-employment examination was compared between the two groups. There were significantly more smokers in the first group of 157 men. Bronchitis or asthma during childhood was mentioned by many men in the second group. It is concluded that the HPT played an important role in the attempt to reduce the incidence of potroom asthma, followed by greater attention to working conditions.