Overview of an Industry-Wide Study of Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) Exposure and the Development of Occupational Asthma

Details

• Personal Author:
  Chapman J ; Collins JJ ; Conner PR ; Doney BC ; Storey, Eileen ; Chapman J ; Collins JJ ; Conner PR ; Doney BC ; Storey, Eileen
• Description:
  Research Purpose: to evaluate a model medical surveillance program for occupational asthma and to characterize the incidence of occupational asthma, if any, associated with TDI exposure in the production environment. Specific objectives include: characterize workplace TDI environmental concentrations based on use of standardized industrial hygiene monitoring and assessment procedures for jobs and tasks, monitor employee health through medical surveillance questionnaires and spirometry, investigate potential cases of occupational asthma using a standardized medical monitoring process, evaluate the effectiveness of the program methods, including the standardized health and environmental monitoring procedures, and communicate findings to study subjects, plant management, and the scientific community in a manner consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Chemistry Council (ACC) practices for assuring the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of the information presented. Relevance: This longitudinal study will provide valuable information and tools for assessing and mitigating the risk of workplace asthma resulting from exposure to TDI. Participants: Eligible participants included workers engaged in the production of TDI employed by all producers of TDI in the U.S. between 2006 and 2012. This study conduct was pursuant to review and oversight by human subjects review boards at NIOSH and in Midland, Michigan. Methods: In October, 2006, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the ACC Diisocyanates Panel jointly implemented a study protocol to evaluate a model medical surveillance program for occupational asthma and to characterize the incidence of occupational asthma, if any, associated with TDI exposure in the production environment. All three producers of TDI located within the U.S. were included. The study protocol called for a multi-tier approach to respiratory surveillance. The study was approved by the IRB at NIOSH and The Dow Chemical Company. Participating workers provided informed consent. A brief, self-administered symptom questionnaire and spirometry was completed annually in conjunction with on-going monitoring of TDI airborne exposure within jobs and for specific tasks. A list of specified responses triggered a second tier investigation involving a more in depth questionnaire and physician assessment to determine whether to proceed to a specified diagnostic protocol. Company medical and industrial hygiene staff were provided in-depth training on the protocol and instruments, as well as written materials prior to start of data collection. Results: 196 workers enrolled in the study. Data collection was completed in July of 2012. Data analysis of 196 workers who enrolled in the study at the three locations will be conducted in the fall of 2012. Final results are expected in the first quarter of 2013. Preliminary results will describe successes and challenges in enrollment and retention of workers, completion of annual questionnaires and spirometry, implementation of the tiered protocol, characterization of jobs and tasks in relation to anticipated exposures, and measurement of exposure. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Asthma, Occupational Delivery Of Health Care Isocyanates Lung Lung Diseases Occupational Health Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety
• Keywords:
  Exposure Assessment Lung Disorders Medical Care Occupational Asthma Respiratory Diseases Screening Programs Surveillance Programs
• Publisher:
  Work Wellness and Disability Prevention Institute (WWDPI)
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary ; Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; New Jersey ; OSHA Region 2 ; OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  RHD - Respiratory Health Division ; RHD - Respiratory Health Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health ; Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America ; North America
• Pages in Document:
  91
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20054292
• Citation:
  Isocyanates & Health: Past, Present and Future, April 3-4, 2013, Potomac, Maryland. Vancouver, BC, Canada: Work Wellness and Disability Prevention Institute (WWDPI), 2013 Apr; :91
• Email:
  patrick.conner@basf.com
• CAS Registry Number:
  Toluene diisocyanate (CAS RN 26471-62-5) ; Toluene diisocyanate (CAS RN 26471-62-5)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2013
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Isocyanates & Health: Past, Present and Future, April 3-4, 2013, Potomac, Maryland
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:80950b68971b4cbfd805dd82753384c3c1f0fe0f1e1e07149b1c8d7f9b69626c80a38a34903b682339187ca03808c82491a23c55c9c2f03f4b669377b6db6658
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/216886/cdc_216886_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 704.62 KB ]