Isocyanate pre-polymer exposure increases risk of asthma symptoms in spray painters

The first good epidemiological study showing an increased risk of work-related asthma symptoms (and other respiratory symptoms) with increasing exposure in a population exposed to isocyanate pre-polymers.

Cross-sectional study of paint sprayers using HDI prepolymers in Holland. 67% response rate in individual workplaces, but only 10-30% workplaces took part. Questionnaire diagnosis of occupational asthma required symptoms to occur during or shortly after work (rather than improve on days away from work). This may have reduced ability to recognise work-related symptoms. No biological monitoring attempted. nevertheless dose response relationships found between asthma symptoms and cumulative polyisocyanate exposure (is current exposure a better measure than cumulative exposure, as those resistant to sensitisation are likely to have the largest cumulative exposures?).

References

	Pronk A, Preller L, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Jonkers ICL, Lammers J-W, Wouters IM, Doekes G, Wisnewski AV, Heederik D, Respiratory Symptoms, Sensitization, and Exposure–Response Relationships in Spray Painters Exposed to Isocyanates, Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 2007;176:1090-1097,

Comments