[Asthma induced by diphenylmethane diisocyanate].
Isocyanates have been widely used in the plastic industry as a curing agent. Tolylene diisocyanate (TDI) is the representative compound popularly used. It may induce respiratory symptoms in some factory workers. Diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) is relatively safer than TDI, and rarely causes symptoms. Here we report four workers frequently exposed to MDI during work. Three of them became asthmatics. Among the asthmatics, two were proven by bronchoprovocation tests to be sensitive to MDI or its compound, and the third one was not sensitive to them. The fourth had no respiratory symptoms, and was not sensitive to isocyanate compound by provocation test. The results indicate a wide range of individual variation in isocyanate sensitivity. The mechanism of this sensitivity is discussed in detail.
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D003485:Cyanates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D017953:Isocyanates; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012306:Risk; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate / Q000009:adverse effects; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds
D003485:Cyanates; D017953:Isocyanates; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate; C005969:4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds