Skin Exposure to Isocyanates: Reasons for Concern

Abstract

Isocyanates (di- and poly-), important chemicals used worldwide to produce polyurethane products, are a leading cause of occupational asthma. Respiratory exposures have been reduced through improved hygiene controls and the use of less-volatile isocyanates. Yet isocyanate asthma continues to occur, not uncommonly in settings with minimal inhalation exposure but opportunity for skin exposure. In this review we evaluate the potential role of skin exposure in the development of isocyanate asthma.

Description

Dhimiter Bello serves on the faculty at UMass Lowell in the Nanomanufacturing Center. Susan Woskie is a faculty member in the Department of Work Environment at Umass Lowell.

Keywords

Citation

Bello, D., Herrick, C. A., Smith, T. J., Woskie, S. R., Streicher, R. P., Cullen, M. R., Liu, Y., Redlich, C. A. (2007, March). Skin Exposure to Isocyanates: Reasons for Concern. Environmental health perspectives 115(3), 328-335. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1849909/

DOI