Prevention of Work-related Asthma: Study Search Results

Study Details

Prevention Level	Primary
Author	Petsonk
Study Year	2000
Country	USA
Molecular Weight of Agent	LMW
Category	Diisocyanates
Agent	Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI)
Occupation	Workers in a new wood products manufacturing plant
Outcome/Diagnosis	New-onset asthma like symptoms
Activity Intervention	Newly constructed plant designed and operated with goal to minimize exposure: engineering controls, personal protection program, respiratory protection using positive pressure air-supply hoods, medical screening program
Participation Rate	144 of 277 eligible subjects (Participation rate: 52%)
Intervention Effectiveness	Despite efforts to protect subjects, new-onset asthma-like symptoms during the first 2 years of operation was reported in 15 of 56 subjects in areas with highest potential exposures to liquid MDI, versus 0 of 43 subjects in the lowest potential exposure areas (p<0.01). Skin contact and clean-up activities were cited as a significant risks. Limitation: no comparison group.