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Occupational allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in workers exposed to polyurethane foam

100%

Kieć-Świerczyńska M., Świerczyńska-Machura D., Chomiczewska-Skóra D., Nowakowska-Świrta E., Kręcisz B.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

2014

vol. 27

issue 2

196-205

Objectives: To evaluate sensitization to chemicals present in work environment after an outbreak of contact dermatitis in workers of vehicle equipment factory, exposed to polyurethane foam, based on 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI). Material and Methods: From among 300 employees, 21 individuals reporting work-related skin and/or respiratory tract symptoms underwent clinical examination, patch testing, skin prick tests, spirometry and MDI sIgE measurement in serum. Patch tests included isocyanates series, selected rubber additives, metals, fragrances, preservatives, and an antiadhesive agent. Results: Clinical examination revealed current eczema in the area of hands and/or forearms in 10 workers. Positive patch test reactions were found in 10 individuals, the most frequent to diaminodiphenylmethane and 4-phenylenediamine (7 persons). Reactions to an antiadhesive agent were assessed as irritant (5 workers). Except for sensitization to common aeroallergens, no significant abnormalities were found in the remaining tests. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 7 workers, irritant contact dermatitis in 10 and coexisiting allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in 3 workers. Conclusions: In workers manufacturing products from polyurethane foam, attention should be paid to the risk of developing contact dermatitis. Skin problems in our study group were attributable probably to insufficient protection of the skin.

Occupational exposure to diisocyanates in polyurethane foam factory workers

86%

Świerczyńska-Machura D., Brzeźnicki S., Nowakowska-Świrta E., Walusiak-Skorupa J., Wittczak T., Dudek W., Bonczarowska M., Wesolowski W., Czerczak S., Pałczyński C.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

2015

vol. 28

issue 6

985-998

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate health effects of occupational exposure to diisocyanates (DIC) among polyurethane foam products factory workers. Material and Methods Thirty workers had a physical examination, skin prick tests with common allergens, allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to diisocyanates and pulmonary function tests. Concentrations of selected isocyanates in the workplace air samples as well as concentration of their metabolites in the urine samples collected from the workers of the plant were determined. Results The most frequent work-related symptoms reported by the examined subjects were rhinitis and skin symptoms. Sensitization to at least 1 common allergen was noted in 26.7% of the subjects. Spirometry changes of bronchial obstruction of a mild degree was observed in 5 workers. The specific IgE antibodies to toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and 4,4’-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) were not detected in any of the patients’ serum. Cellular profiles of the collected induced sputum (ISP) did not reveal any abnormalities. Air concentrations of TDI isomers ranged 0.2–58.9 μg/m³ and in 7 cases they exceeded the Combined Exposure Index (CEI) value for those compounds. Concentrations of TDI metabolites in post-shift urine samples were significantly higher than in the case of pre-shift urine samples and in 6 cases they exceeded the British Biological Monitoring Guidance Value (BMGV – 1 μmol amine/mol creatinine). We didn’t find a correlation between urinary concentrations of TDI, concentrations in the air and concentrations of toluenediamine (TDA) in the post shift urine samples. Lack of such a correlation may be an effect of the respiratory protective equipment use. Conclusions Determination of specific IgE in serum is not sensitive enough to serve as a biomarker. Estimation of concentrations of diisocyanate metabolites in urine samples and the presence of work-related allergic symptoms seem to be an adequate method for occupational exposure monitoring of DIC, which may help to determine workers at risk as well as to recognize hazardous workplaces.

Occupational exposure to selected isocyanates in Polish industry

58%

Brzeźnicki S., Bonczarowska M.

Medycyna Pracy

2015

vol. 66

issue 3

291-301

Wstęp Izocyjaniany stanowią grupę małocząsteczkowych silnie reaktywnych związków chemicznych szeroko stosowanych do produkcji tworzyw poliuretanowych. Uważa się, że zawodowe narażenie na te związki to jeden z głównych czynników powstawania astmy zawodowej i z tego względu istotne jest stałe monitorowanie ich stężeń w środowisku pracy. Celem pracy było wykonanie pomiarów stężeń metylenobis(fenyloizocyjanianu) (MDI; CAS 101-68-8), diizocyjanianu tolueno-2,4-diylu (2,4-TDI; CAS 584-84-9), diizocyjanianu tolueno-2,6-diylu (2,6-TDI; CAS 91-08-7), diizocyjanianuheksano-1,6-diylu (HDI; CAS 822-06-0) w środowisku pracy jako podstawy do oceny zawodowego narażenia na te związki. Materiał i metody Oznaczenia stężeń wybranych izocyjanianów zostały przeprowadzone w 21 zakładach pracy podczas różnych procesów produkcyjnych. Pobrane próbki powietrza analizowano z zastosowaniem wysokosprawnej chromatografii cieczowej (high-performance liquid chromatography – HPLC). Wyniki Przedstawione wyniki są pierwszymi w Polsce ilościowymi danymi dotyczącymi zawodowego narażenia na izocyjaniany. Wynika z nich, że generalnie stężenia oznaczanych związków pozostają na niskim poziomie i nie przekraczają ustanowionych wartości najwyższego dopuszczalnego stężenia (NDS). Przekroczenia wartości normatywnych stwierdzono jedynie w przypadku TDI podczas produkcji bloków pianki poliuretanowej. Wnioski Wyniki wielu badań wskazują, że w przypadku niskich stężeń izocyjanianów w powietrzu (szczególnie słabo lotnego MDI) nie można wykluczyć możliwości wchłaniania tych związków przez skórę. Biorąc pod uwagę wszystkie niepewności związane z oceną zawodowego narażenia na izocyjaniany dokonywaną wyłącznie w oparciu o pomiary ich stężeń w powietrzu wydaje się, że jedynie jednoczesne stosowanie monitoringu środowiskowego i monitoringu biologicznego mogłoby pozwolić na wiarygodną ocenę narażenia zawodowego. Med. Pr. 2015;66(3):291–301

Background Isocyanates constitute a group of highly reactive, low molecular weight chemicals used worldwide for polyurethane manufacturing. The occupational exposure to these compounds is a major cause of occupational asthma, thus it is very important to monitor their concentration in the workplace atmosphere. The aim of the study was to measure the concentration of 4,4’-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI; CAS 101-68-8), toluene-2,4-di-isocyanate (2,4-TDI; CAS 584-84-9), toluene-2,6-di-isocyanate (2,6-TDI; CAS 91-08-7) and hexamethylene di-isocyanate (HDI; CAS 822-06-0) in the work environment for evaluation of the occupational exposure to these compounds. Material and Methods Determination of concentrations of selected isocyanates was carried out in 21 manufacturing plants, during different industrial processes. The collected air samples (personal samples) were analyzed by means of the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results The presented results represent the 1st data on the occupational exposure to isocyanates in Poland. This set of data is generally indicative of concentrations of analyzed isocyanates that are low and do not exceed the maximum admissible concentration (MAC) values in Poland. Elevated concentrations (above the MAC value) were found only for the TDI in the course of manufacturing of polyurethane foam blocks. Conclusions Results of many studies show that low concentrations of isocyanates (particularly of low volatility like for example MDI) in the air cannot exclude the possibility of additional absorption of these compounds through skin. Taking into consideration all the uncertainties associated with the evaluation of the risk of exposure to isocyanates based solely on measurement of their levels in the air, it would seem that the simultaneous application of environmental and biological monitoring would only facilitate a reliable assessment of the occupational exposure risk. Med Pr 2015;66(3):291–301

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2 International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

1 Medycyna Pracy

2 Bonczarowska M.

2 Brzeźnicki S.

2 Nowakowska-Świrta E.

2 Świerczyńska-Machura D.

1 Chomiczewska-Skóra D.

1 Czerczak S.

1 Dudek W.

1 Kieć-Świerczyńska M.

1 Kręcisz B.

1 Pałczyński C.

1 Walusiak-Skorupa J.

1 Wesolowski W.

1 Wittczak T.

2 2015

1 2014

Search results

Occupational allergic and irritant contact dermatitis in workers exposed to polyurethane foam

Occupational exposure to diisocyanates in polyurethane foam factory workers

Occupational exposure to selected isocyanates in Polish industry