title: Nasal and ocular effects in foundry workers using the hot box method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence of nasal and ocular symptoms and nasal signs in foundry workers exposed to monoisocyanates using the Hot Box method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three foundry workers and 69 referents completed questionnaires and were examined by a rhinologist. Exposure to isocyanic acid, methyl isocyanate, formaldehyde, and total dust was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nasal symptoms and signs were associated with exposure, and dose-response relationships between nasal symptoms and exposure to isocyanic acid, methyl isocyanate, and formaldehyde were observed. Dry nasal mucosa was more prevalent in exposed workers than in referents. These findings were not substantially affected by the exclusion of asthmatic and allergic individuals, smokers, or females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An increased prevalence of nasal symptoms and signs was observed among exposed workers, suggesting an association with the foundry environment involving monoisocyanates and other airway irritants, such as formaldehyde and dust.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden. hakan.lofstedt@orebroll.se
authors.forename: Håkan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Löfstedt
authors.forename: Håkan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Westberg
authors.forename: Anders I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Seldén
authors.forename: Stig
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rudblad
authors.forename: Ing-Liss
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Bryngelsson
authors.forename: Yen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Svartengren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D017953:Isocyanates / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000503:physiopathology; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D015995:Prevalence; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014785:Vision, Ocular
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D017953:Isocyanates; D005557:Formaldehyde