Can occupational asthma happen in manufacturers of car seats?
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I have a patient who makes car upholstery. He reports being exposed to fumes from various upholstery material which has been going through various machines at work. He has symptoms suggestive of asthma.
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Car seats are usually made from polurethane foam. Those who make the foam, mould the shapes of car seats and stick bits together are often exposed to isocyanates and are a group where occupational asthma can often occur. Those working only on upholstery in factories were no foam is made or cut are more of a problem. There has been at least one outbbreak of occupational asthma in workers sewing fabric over foam. There is some dispute as to whether free isocyanates can be released after the foam has cured when the "bubbles" in the foam are cut or pierced. Occupational asthma can occur in these sewers (those who sew), and is more likely to be due to isocyanates than anything else, but as far as I know specific challenges tests have not been conclusive in this group.
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We have 6 sewers/car seat assemblers notified to SHIELD (the West Midlands database of occupational asthma notificiations). Most of these are exposed to ployurethane foam, but 1 has latex as a possible agent and another the fabric/carpet being sewn.
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