Exposure to naphthalene-diisocyanate in a rubber plant: symptoms and lung function

Journal Article · · Arch. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1986.9937414· OSTI ID:5070783

Alexandersson, R; Gustafsson, P; Hedenstierna, G; Rosen, G

Twenty-three subjects exposed to naphthalene-diisocyanate (NDI, (mean air concentration 0.002-0.007 mg/m/sup 3/)) were examined with regard to symptoms and pulmonary function. Irritation of the eyes, cough, and exertion dyspnea were more common in exposed subjects than in unexposed controls. Closing volume, as a percentage of vital capacity (CV%), was 6% higher than the reference value on Monday morning after 2 days with no exposure to NDI. The other lung function variables were normal. Two days of industrial exposure caused no further change in any lung function variable. The difference between measured and expected CV% increased with age in the exposed subjects. Five employees who had complained of severe symptoms during NDI exposure and who, therefore, had been transferred to other tasks with no exposure to NDI, displayed marked increases in CV% and a reduction in the forced vital capacity by an average of 0.61. Smokers and nonsmokers displayed similar lung function changes.

• Research Organization: Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
• OSTI ID: 5070783
• Journal Information: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 41:2; ISSN AEHLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
AROMATICS
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
BODY
CONDENSED AROMATICS
DATA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FUNCTIONS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRY
INFORMATION
INJURIES
ISOCYANATES
LUNGS
NAPHTHALENE
NUMERICAL DATA
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
POLLUTION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RUBBER INDUSTRY
SYMPTOMS