Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Thorax logoLink to Thorax
. 1973 Sep;28(5):596–600. doi: 10.1136/thx.28.5.596

Isocyanate asthma: respiratory symptoms caused by diphenyl-methane di-isocyanate

A R Tanser 1, M P Bourke 1, A G Blandford 1
PMCID: PMC470085  PMID: 4784381

Abstract

Tanser, A. R., Bourke, M. P., and Blandford, A. G. (1973).Thorax, 28, 596-600. Isocyanate asthma: respiratory symptoms caused by diphenyl-methane di-isocyanate. We investigated 57 employees of a factory where diphenyl-methane di-isocyanate (MDI) was used to prepare the materials for making rigid polyurethane foam. Four employees had developed hypersensitivity to MDI. Two had severe, and one moderate asthma, while the fourth had symptoms resembling the delayed hypersensitivity type of reaction. Ten other employees had experienced unpleasant, mainly respiratory, irritant effects from MDI vapour.

A past history of bronchitis or of allergy was found more commonly in those with symptoms from MDI than in those without symptoms.

It is not known if MDI causes permanent damage to the respiratory tract. The most severely affected cases in the present series had normal spirometric values after recovery, and no persisting symptoms.

MDI is safer than other isocyanates used in industry but may cause both major and minor illness. It should be handled with the same precautions as those used with the more toxic compounds.

Full text

PDF
596

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Adams W. G. Lung function of men engaged on the manufacture of tolylene diisocyanate (TDI). Proc R Soc Med. 1970 Apr;63(4):378–379. doi: 10.1177/003591577006300420. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Buist J. M. Isocyanates in industry. Proc R Soc Med. 1970 Apr;63(4):365–367. doi: 10.1177/003591577006300414. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Konzen R. B., Craft B. F., Scheel L. D., Gorski C. H. Human response to low concentrations of p,p-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI). Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1966 Mar-Apr;27(2):121–127. doi: 10.1080/00028896609342803. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. LONGLEY E. O. METHANE DIISOCYANATE: A RESPIRATORY HAZARD? Arch Environ Health. 1964 Jun;8:898–898. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1964.10663773. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Peters J. M., Murphy R. L., Ferris B. G., Jr Ventilatory function in workers exposed to low levels of toluene diisocyanate: a six-month follow-up. Br J Ind Med. 1969 Apr;26(2):115–120. doi: 10.1136/oem.26.2.115. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Peters J. M., Murphy R. L., Pagnotto L. D., Van Ganse W. F. Acute respiratory effects in workers exposed to low levels of toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Arch Environ Health. 1968 May;16(5):642–647. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1968.10665121. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Peters J. M. Studies of isocyanate toxicity. Proc R Soc Med. 1970 Apr;63(4):372–375. doi: 10.1177/003591577006300417. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Stevens M. A. Use of the albino guinea-pig to detect the skin-sensitizing ability of chemicals. Br J Ind Med. 1967 Jul;24(3):189–202. doi: 10.1136/oem.24.3.189. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Taylor G. Immune responses to tolylene diisocyanate (TDI) exposure in man. Proc R Soc Med. 1970 Apr;63(4):379–380. doi: 10.1177/003591577006300421. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Thorax are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES