Diagnosis and Prevention of Diseases Induced by Isocyanate

• Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. 40 - 46
• Main Authors: NAKASHIMA, Kazuko, TAKESHITA, Tatsuya, MORIMOTO, Kanehisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese; English
• Published: Heidelberg THE JAPANESE SOCIETY FOR HYGIENE 01.05.2002; Springer; BioMed Central; Springer-Verlag
• Subjects: Asthma; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Environmental health; Medical sciences; Occupational safety; Review; Toxicology; Various organic compounds; Human; Prevention; Organic isocyanate; Organic diisocyanate; Respiratory disease; Toxicity; Obstructive pulmonary disease; Diagnosis; Occupational exposure; Occupational medicine; Asthma; diisocyanate; diagnosis; isocyanates; review; prevention
• ISSN: 1342-078X; 1347-4715
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02897329

Isocyanates are among the most frequent causes of occupational asthma in industrialized countries. Early diagnosis of diisocyanate asthma followed by prompt termination of chemical exposure can prevent chronic morbidity due to persistent asthma. Chronic exposure to isocyanates also induces hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). The accurate diagnosis of diisocynate asthma requires a systematic approach that combines information obtained frorn the occupational history~ imnrunologic tests and physiologic studies. The prevention of health problems from toluene diisocyanate (TDI), 4, 4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and 1, 6'-hexanrethylene dilsocyanate (HDI) is essential for all those handling the chemicals. Regula-tory exposure limits should be observed. However, wheezing, coughing or even asthmatic attacks may occur after exposure much below the regulatory exposure limits especially in sensitive individuals. Preventing or minhnizing exposure is of prime importance and should be supported by the installation of engineering controls, by education of the workforce, by regular monitoring of the workplace exposure and by medical surveillance. To prevent such asthnra it is suggested that workers should be tested airway sensitivity and should avoid working in areas that have dust containing specific-IgE. Such tests must be periodically performed after working. Symptorns induced by isocyanate need earlier discover and early isolation of the associated individuals.