Asthma in upholsterers

We appear to have a number of cases of asthma in furniture upholsterers which may be occupational. What might be the cause if so?

Occupational Asthma, Specialist, 8/23/2011, 8/23/2011,

Most of the problems are related to polyurethand foam used as padding. It was said that no isocyanates were released from foam after curing, but cutting and probably sewing may release sufficient isocyanate for sensitisation. If there are any woodworkers nearby (or sanding of wooden frames), the wood dust could be a cause, and any varnishing could contain isocyanates. An outbreak was described in the Cowley works at Oxford in the late 1970,s. Sewers of cotton fabric have been reported with asthmatic symptoms, but the cause here is less clear Phakthongsuk P, Sangsupawanich P, Musigsan A, Thammakumpee G, Work-related respiratory symptoms among cotton-fabric sewing workers, Int J Occup Med Environ Health, 2007;20:17-24, White WG, Sugden E, Morris MJ, Zapata E, DI-ISOCYANATE-INDUCED ASTHMA IN A CAR FACTORY, Lancet, 1980;315:756-760,

8/23/2011