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Hypersensitivity pneumonitis‐like reaction and occupational asthma associated with 1,3‐bis(isocyanatomethyl) cyclohexane pre‐polymer
Author(s) -
Simpson Cathy,
Garabrant David,
Torrey Stephen,
Robins Thomas,
Franzblau Alfred
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199607)30:1<48::aid-ajim8>3.0.co;2-o
Subject(s) - medicine , hypersensitivity pneumonitis , asthma , bronchodilator , bronchial hyperresponsiveness , occupational disease , occupational asthma , allergy , chills , hypersensitivity reaction , pulmonary function testing , provocation test , methacholine , respiratory disease , surgery , immunology , lung , pathology , alternative medicine
Twenty‐three of 34 workers who had worked in the injection molding operation making polyurethane foam parts at an automobile parts manufacturing plant developed respiratory symptoms and/or systemic symptoms over a 2‐month period following the full production use of a new diisocyanate paint that contained 1,3‐bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane pre‐polymer (BIC) (CAS #75138‐76‐0, 38661‐72‐2). At 3 months, all subjects underwent an interview, physical examination, pre‐ and post‐shift pulmonary function tests, and either methacholine challenge test or bronchodilator challenge at an occupational health clinic. The most frequently cited symptoms were dyspnea (65%), cough (61%), chest tightness (57%), chills (57%), wheezing (30%), and myalgias, arthralgias, and nausea (26%). Thirteen subjects had either a positive methacholine challenge test or a positive response to bronchodilator challenge, making the overall prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness 38%. The overall prevalence of hypersensitivity pneumonitis‐like reactions among line operators in the injection molding process was 27%. This disease outbreak suggests that 1,3‐bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane pre‐polymer may cause asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis‐like reactions. The use of BIC was discontinued 6 months after the first workers developed symptoms. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.