title: Work-related asthma in the spray-on truck bed lining industry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to identify work-related asthma (WRA) workers' compensation claims associated with methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) exposure in the spray-on truck bed lining industry and estimate the asthma incidence rate in this industry.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors conducted a descriptive study of workers' compensation claims meeting an established surveillance case definition for WRA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight WRA workers' compensation claims were identified in the truck bed lining industry in Washington State for a claims incidence rate of 200 per 10,000 full-time equivalent. The medical evaluation of the cases was inadequate because none of the truck bed lining cases had medical testing to objectively link their asthma to the workplace.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rate of work-related asthma in the truck bed lining industry is excessive and suggests a need for significant intervention, including improvements in the clinical assessment provided to MDI-exposed workers.
authors.affiliation: Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) Program, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Olympia, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Bonauto
authors.forename: Austin D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Sumner
authors.forename: Christy C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Curwick
authors.forename: Stephen G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Whittaker
authors.forename: Don J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lofgren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001336:Automobiles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate / Q000009:adverse effects; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate