title: [Cohort studies of effects of long-term toluene diisocyanate (TDI) exposure on pulmonary function].
abstract: Toluene diisocyanates (C6H3CH3 (NCO)2, TDIs) are synthetic low molecular-weight organic chemicals with two highly reactive isocyanate groups (-NCO). Exposure to TDI can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and upper and lower respiratory tract, asthma-like responses, sensitive pneumonitis, and obstructive pulmonary function loss. In this paper, the exposure-effect relationships between long-term TDI exposure and its effect on pulmonary function are summarized by evaluating the results of cohort studies, including 2 cohort studies conducted by the author's research team, which were specially devoted to the exposure-effect relationships and were published at the end of 1992. By assessing the exposure-effect relationships, the current occupational exposure limit of TDI in Japan is discussed and a framework for the health checks on TDI-exposed workers is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Omae
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D051379:Mice; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate / Q000506:poisoning*
chemical_list: D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate