ABSTRACT
Organic acid anhydrides (OAAs) are cyclic and mostly highly reactive low-molecular-weight chemicals (a molecular weight being 100–500 Da), which are widely used in the chemical industry. OAAs react easily with water and form corresponding acids, which are skin and respiratory irritants. OAAs are well-known for their ability to cause respiratory immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated sensitization and occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. In general, the adverse health effects occur in the use of the compounds as curing agents for epoxy resins.
