Asthma caused by diphenylmethane diisocyanate in foundry workers. Clinical, bronchial provocation, and immunologic studies

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5543724

Zammit-Tabona, M; Sherkin, M; Kijek, K; Chan, H; Chan-Yeung, M

Eleven foundry workers who developed asthmatic symptoms were studied with inhalation provocation tests with formaldehyde and diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI). These latter two chemicals are components of PepSet used for making molds for casting. Six subjects showed specific asthmatic reactions to MDI challenge (more than 20% fall in FEV1), 2 had a combined immediate and late reaction, and 4 had a predominantly late reaction. Four of the 6 subjects experienced recurrent nocturnal asthmatic reactions after a single challenge with MDI that lasted as long as 7 days, and this was associated with a significant increase in bronchial reactivity to methacholine. One subject had an immediate irritant reaction to both MDI and formaldehyde, which was spontaneously reversed in a few minutes. None of the remaining 10 subjects had a positive reaction to formaldehyde challenge. The reactors to MDI showed more evidence of air-flow obstruction in their lung function measurements and had a greater bronchial sensitivity to methacholine than the nonreactors but there was no difference in age, smoking habits, or atopic status. Specific IgE antibodies to MDI-human serum albumin conjugate were detected in 2 subjects, a reactor and a nonreactor. Specific IgG anti-MDI antibodies were detected in 4 subjects, 2 who reacted and 2 who did not. No difference in the pattern of response to MDI inhalation was observed in relation to the different immunologic findings. We conclude that MDI is a cause of asthma in foundry workers.

• Research Organization: Respiratory Division, University of British Columbia, Vancouver General Hospital, Canada
• OSTI ID: 5543724
• Journal Information: Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States) Vol. 128:2; ISSN ARRDA
• 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.
ACETYLCHOLINE
AEROSOLS
AGE DEPENDENCE
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
AMINES
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY REACTIONS
ASTHMA
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
COLLOIDS
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
DRUGS
ESTERS
ETIOLOGY
FORMALDEHYDE
FOUNDRIES
GLOBULINS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
IMMUNOGLOBULINS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
ISOCYANATES
MALES
NEUROREGULATORS
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARASYMPATHOMIMETICS
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
PROTEINS
QUATERNARY COMPOUNDS
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SMOKES
SOLS
TOBACCO SMOKES