Death due to asthma at workplace in a diphenylmethane diisocyanate-sensitized subject.
Total cases of fatal asthma in the occupational setting reported in the literature are reviewed and the case of a 39-year-old foundry worker who died at work is described. A diagnosis of occupational asthma induced by diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) had been assessed 5 years in advance through a 0.005-ppm exposure inhalation challenge. Postmortem microscopic examination of the lung showed epithelial desquamation, eosinophilic/neutrophilic infiltration of the mucosa, dilatation of bronchial vessels, edema, hypertrophy and disarray of smooth muscle. Fatal asthma attack in a MDI-sensitized individual, to our knowledge, has not been previously described.
Carino
M
M
Division of Occupational Medicine, Clinica del Lavoro-Pavia Foundation, Cassano Medical Center, Italy.
Aliani
M
M
Licitra
C
C
Sarno
N
N
Ioli
F
F
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D017953:Isocyanates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017132:Workplace; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds
D000485:Allergens; D017953:Isocyanates; C005969:4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds