Systemic reactions associated with polyisocyanate exposure.

Abstract

NIE LSEN J, SANao C, WINROTH G , HALLBERG T , SKERFVINa S. System ic reactions associated with po lyisocyanate expos ure. Scand J Work En viron Health 11 (1985) 51-54. A spray-p ai nter su ffered attac ks of chills, fever, genera l malaise, dyspnea and wheezing, headache, art hralgia, and leucocytosis a few hours a fter exposure to aer osols of varnis hes contai ning two diff erent pol yisocyan at es based upon monomers of hexam eth ylene or toluene diisocyana te. Immunologic stu dies revealed an increase in the serum immunoglobulin a level, but no specific antibodies again st isocya nates conjugated to human . serum albumin. The polyi socyan at e level in the workroom air was high [a time -weighted average of 4.2 mg/rn" , correspon ding to 17 pmol NCO (isocya na te gro ups) / m' ), the toluene diisocyanate monomer level bein g much lower (a tim e-weighted averag e of 0.03 rng/m ', corresponding to 0.3 flmol NCO/ m').

Health hazard evaluation report: HETA #99-0196-2860, Future Aviation, Inc., Naples, Florida.

“…Experience with isocyanates has shown that monomeric, prepolymeric, and polyisocyanate species are capable of producing respiratory sensitization in exposed workers. 16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32 Since the intermediates may be chemically similar to these compounds, it is reasonable to assume that they may also produce this condition. Prevalence estimates for isocyanate-induced asthma in exposed worker populations vary considerably: from 5% to 10% in diisocyanate production facilities 12,33 to 25% in polyurethane production plants 34,33 and 30% in polyurethane seatcover operations.…”

HETA 99-0122-2798, Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems, Marietta, Georgia.

“…Experience with isocyanates has shown that monomeric, prepolymeric and polyisocyanate species are capable of producing asthma in exposed workers. 14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30 Since the intermediates may be chemically similar to these compounds, it is reasonable to assume that they may also produce this condition. Prevalence estimates for isocyanate-induced asthma in exposed worker populations vary considerably: from 5% to 10% in diisocyanate production facilities 10,31 to 25% in polyurethane production plants 31,32 and 30% in polyurethane seatcover operations.…”

HETA 98-0347-2758, Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems, Marietta, Georgia.

“…Experience with isocyanates has shown that monomeric, prepolymeric and polyisocyanate species are capable of producing respiratory sensitization in exposed workers. 14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30 Since the intermediates may be chemically similar to these compounds, it is reasonable to assume that they may also produce this condition. Prevalence estimates for isocyanate-induced asthma in exposed worker populations vary considerably: from 5% to 10% in diisocyanate production facilities 10,31 to 25% in polyurethane production plants 31,32 and 30% in polyurethane seat cover operations.…”