Qualitative assessment of isocyanate skin exposure in auto body shops: A pilot study
Corresponding Author
Youcheng Liu MD, ScD, MPH
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 135 College Street, Room 371, New Haven, Connecticut 06510-2283.Search for more papers by this authorJudy Sparer MS, CIH
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSusan R. Woskie PhD
Department of Work Environment, University of Massachusetts at Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMark R. Cullen MD
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJoyce S. Chung MPH
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCarole T. Holm RN
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCarrie A. Redlich MD, MPH
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Youcheng Liu MD, ScD, MPH
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 135 College Street, Room 371, New Haven, Connecticut 06510-2283.Search for more papers by this authorJudy Sparer MS, CIH
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSusan R. Woskie PhD
Department of Work Environment, University of Massachusetts at Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMark R. Cullen MD
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJoyce S. Chung MPH
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCarole T. Holm RN
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCarrie A. Redlich MD, MPH
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Background
Little is known about the extent of human isocyanate skin exposure in auto body shops and the effectiveness of personal protective equipment. Animal studies have suggested that skin exposure to isocyanates may be an important risk factor for respiratory sensitization leading to asthma. This study provides initial data on hexamethylene diisocyanate skin exposure in three auto body shops.
Methods
Three auto body shops of different size which use different paint systems were examined for the presence of aliphatic isocyanates on environmental surfaces and workers' skin and for breakthrough of personal protective equipment. Qualitative detection of contamination by isocyanates was conducted using a wipe-sampling technique. Assessment focused on the painters and their tasks, although other auto body repairers were also evaluated.
Results
Environmental surfaces such as painters' workbenches, spray equipment, and cleaning tools were found contaminated with isocyanates. Painters had frequent contact with contaminated surfaces, often without wearing gloves. Moderate to heavy contamination of some skin surfaces was found with painters from two of the three auto body shops. Latex gloves used for skin protection showed significant penetrations by isocyanates even after a single painting session.
Conclusions
Contaminated environmental surfaces and skin exposure to isocyanates were documented in several auto body shops. Latex gloves were not adequate protection for workers using isocyanate paints. Further research which would better quantify skin exposure, and its potential relationship to respiratory sensitization and asthma is warranted. Am. J. Ind. Med. 37:265–274, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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