Immunological evaluation of four arc welders exposed to fumes from ignited polyurethane (isocyanate) foam: antibodies and immune profiles.
Four arc welders having a flu-like illness with multiple health complaints following an exposure to high concentrations of isocyanate fumes from ignited polyurethane foam underwent immunological tests as follows: ELISA antibody assays, activated lymphocyte profiles, and lymphocyte blastogenesis. ELISA procedures revealed the presence of antibodies to hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and formaldehyde (F) conjugated to human serum albumin (HDI-SA and F-SA). The results from the activated lymphocyte profiles showed deviations from the norm as follows: three welders had elevated helper/suppressor (H/S) ratios; all four had elevated percentages of Tal positive cells; two had decreases in B cells; and one had low total white cell and lymphocyte counts. In contrast, the percentage and absolute numbers of ILS receptor cells were normal in the four subjects. T cell blastogenesis to PHA, Con A and PWM resulted in the following: T-cells from one subject responded normally; in another, a high response (212% of controls) to PHA occurred with normal mitogenesis to Con A and PWM. In the remaining two welders, the T cells responded abnormally low (50 to 75% of controls) to the three mitogens. In conclusion, the existence of IgG antibodies to HDI-SA and F-SA, the altered activated immune profiles, the elevated Tal cells, and the abnormal blastogenesis are interpreted as being linked with the episode of HDI and F exposure and the subsequent flu-like illness of the four welders.
Broughton
A
A
Antibody Assay Laboratories, Santa Ana, California.
Thrasher
J D
JD
Gard
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D003485:Cyanates / Q000276:immunology / Q000506:poisoning*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017953:Isocyanates; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000506:poisoning; D014896:Welding
D000941:Antigens; D003485:Cyanates; D017953:Isocyanates; D011140:Polyurethanes; C015262:1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate; D005557:Formaldehyde