Isocyanates and work-related asthma: Findings from California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey, 1993-2008.
BACKGROUND
Isocyanates remain a leading cause of work-related asthma (WRA).


METHODS
Two independent data systems were analyzed for the period 1993-2008: (1) State-based WRA case surveillance data on persons with isocyanate-induced WRA from four states, and (2) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) isocyanate air sampling results.


RESULTS
We identified 368 cases of isocyanate-induced WRA from 32 industries and 678 OSHA isocyanate air samples with detectable levels from 31 industries. Seventeen industries were unique to one or the other dataset.


CONCLUSIONS
Isocyanate-induced WRA continues to occur in a wide variety of industries. Two data systems uncovered industries with isocyanate exposures and/or illness. Improved control measures and standards, including medical surveillance, are needed. More emphasis is needed on task-specific guidance, spill clean-up procedures, skin and respiratory protection, and targeted medical monitoring to mitigate the hazards of isocyanate use.
Environmental & Occupational Health Surveillance Program, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey.
Daniel
D
Lefkowitz
Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
Elise
E
Pechter
Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
Kathleen
K
Fitzsimmons
Environmental & Occupational Health Surveillance Program, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey.
Margaret
M
Lumia
Environmental & Occupational Health Surveillance Program, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, New Jersey.
Alicia C
AC
Stephens
Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
Letitia
L
Davis
Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California.
Jennifer
J
Flattery
Public Health Institute, Contractor to California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California.
Justine
J
Weinberg
Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California.
Robert J
RJ
Harrison
Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
Mary Jo
MJ
Reilly
Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Margaret S
MS
Filios
Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia.|University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Gretchen E
GE
White
Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
Kenneth D
KD
Rosenman
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D059366:Asthma, Occupational / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017953:Isocyanates / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009314:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D011159:Population Surveillance; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D017953:Isocyanates
isocyanates; occupational disease prevention; occupational health surveillance; work-related asthma