Asthma-Like Symptoms in Wood Product Plant Workers Exposed to Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate

Work-related asthma and implications for the general public.

“…Another interesting observation was reported from a study of workers in a wood products plant that uses methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), a low molecular weight sensitizer (39). Workers in this study were at increased risk of developing asthmalike symptoms if they had noted skin stains due to the MDI.…”

Eye and airway symptoms in low occupational exposure to toluene diisocyanate

“…However, asthma-like symptoms have been described also in plants particularly designed and operated to control exposure to isocyanates [ie, MDI (20,21)]. Furthermore, respiratory symptoms and new onset asthma have been observed at Table 3.…”

Wood production, wood technology, and biotechnological impacts

“…Negative for application of PMDI in panel board production is its high price (in 2006 about 2.0 €/kg atro, atro = "absolut trocken" = absolutely dry; Larimer 2006). Furthermore, during application of isocyanates in practice significant protection measures are necessary , Petsonk et al 2000 in order to avoid possible health risks and occupational diseases (among others, reactions with amino-and hydroxide groups within the body upon inhalation, destruction of cell membranes, respiratory diseases, skin eczemas, conversion into carcinogenic amines; for reports on health effects see e.g. Baur et al 1994, Bolognesi et al 2001, Goossens et al 2002, Marczynski et al 2003, Latza & Baur 2005.…”