Occupational exposure to "environmentally-friendly" spray foam insulation associated with isocyanate immune responses and asthmatic symptoms

Details

• Personal Author:
  Redlich CA ; Stowe M ; Wisnewski AV
• Description:
  Rationale: Rising energy costs have prompted increased use of the known asthmogen methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), the cross-linking agent for generating sprayable polyurethane foam insulation. Sprayed polyurethane foam insulation is often considered "green" construction and labeled "environmentally-friendly"; however the health hazards associated with occupational exposure remain unclear. We performed a cross-sectional study to evaluate MDI exposure and its possible health effects among construction workers who spray polyurethane foam insulation. Methods: One hundred three workers were recruited from small construction companies that apply polyurethane products, including sprayable polyurethane foam insulation. Spirometry, questionnaire, air monitoring, and surface SWYPE tests were used to assess respiratory physiology, symptoms, and potential for MDI exposure. Serum levels of MDI-specific IgG and IgE were determined by ELISA. Results: Among the total study population, work-related asthma symptoms were reported by N=24 (23%) workers and MDI-specific immune responses (IgG) were observed in N=35 (35%) workers. Among those workers that regularly applied MDI-based polyurethane foam insulation, a significantly higher proportion of workers reported work-related asthma symptoms (N=11, 41%) and/or developed anti-MDI IgG responses (N=20, 77%). MDI-specific IgG serum levels were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with MDI usage, based on questionnaire data, which, in turn, was associated with significantly (p < 0.05) increased frequency of work-related respiratory (asthma), eye (irritation) and skin (rash) symptoms. Five of seven (71%) subjects with MDI-specific serum IgE were diagnosed with probable MDI asthma, based on further clinical assessment. Conclusions: Application of sprayable polyurethane foam insulation is significantly associated with MDI exposure, immune sensitization, and increased frequency of work-related asthma symptoms. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Antibodies Asthma Asthma, Occupational Construction Industry Construction Materials Environmental Health Hypersensitivity Immune System Isocyanates Lung Diseases Occupational Health Polyurethanes Respiratory Function Tests Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety

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• Keywords:
  Antibody-response Bronchial-asthma Construction-industry Construction-materials Construction-workers Environmental-factors Environmental-health Immune-reaction Immune-system Insulation-materials Insulation-workers Lung-disorders Methyl-compounds Phenyls Polyurethane-foams Pulmonary-system-disorders Respiratory-function-tests Respiratory-system-disorders Sensitization Spirometry Sprays

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• ISSN:
  1073-449X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Connecticut ; Maryland ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 3
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  187
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20044382
• Citation:
  Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2013 May; 187(Meeting Abstracts):A6089
• Contact Point Address:
  A. V. Wisnewski, Yale University, New Haven, CT
• Email:
  adam.wisnewski@yale.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Diphenylmethane diisocyanate (CAS RN 101-68-8)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2013
• Performing Organization:
  CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
• Supplement:
  Meeting Abstracts
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:5c09657f06375be3a03a3678c46b1abab188722ebd15f5ff3b2083f63c1cca2eaa8c04378c6ced04149207ede4d9b579f8cb1d1aeafef758822b14586da5c3e1
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/200093/cdc_200093_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 17.81 KB ]