title: Cross-sectional survey of workers exposed to aliphatic diisocyanates using detailed respiratory medical history and questions regarding accidental skin and respiratory exposures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify possible cases of occupational asthma and assess accidental skin and inhalation exposures to aliphatic diisocyanates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-three employees from two plants, manufacturing or producing aliphatic diisocyanates, were surveyed using a detailed respiratory history questionnaire with additional questions on accidental skin and inhalation exposures. Further reviews of medical records and interviews were used to determine whether any of 15 employees with questionable responses had developed occupational asthma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No cases of occupational asthma were identified. Nevertheless, many employees reported occasional accidental unprotected skin exposures and/or detecting the odor of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate or isophorone diisocyanate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consistent with a previous study, no cases of occupational asthma were identified from exposure to 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, methylene bis(4-cyclohexyl isocyanate), or their polyisocyanates even though many employees reported detection of odors (93%) or skin exposures (53%).
authors.affiliation: From Occupational Medicine Consultant (Dr Hathaway), Kendall Park, NJ; VA Medical Center (Dr Molenaar), Minneapolis, Minn; Medical College of Wisconsin (Dr Cassidy), Milwaukee, Wis; and Bayer Material Science (Mr Feeley and Ms Cummings), Pittsburgh, Pa.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hathaway
authors.forename: Donald M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Molenaar
authors.forename: Laura D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Cassidy
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Feeley
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Cummings
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity; D059366:Asthma, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D002617:Chemical Industry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003485:Cyanates / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017953:Isocyanates / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009812:Odorants; D012867:Skin; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D003485:Cyanates; D017953:Isocyanates; C015262:1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate; C015301:isophorone diisocyanate; C013606:methylene bis(4-cyclohexylisocyanate)