Prevalence of respiratory symptoms and increased specific IgE levels in West-African workers exposed to isocyanates

Respiratory symptoms and immunological effects from chronic exposure to isocyanates (toluene diisocyanate) were studied in a cross survey of workers from West African factories producing paints and polyurethane foam. A questionnaire, a pulmonary function test immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and an atmospheric sample to quantify isocyanate exposures were carried out in the workplace for each worker. Ninety-six workers, of whom 44 had occupational isocyanate-induced asthma, were included in the study. Twenty-four viral-infected subjects were excluded from the immunological study. Specific antibodies to isocyanates were detected in two of the symptomatic individuals. This low proportion appeared to be a common feature of this disease. The prevalence of isocyanate-induced asthma in a West African working population appears to be significant in the context of chronic human exposure, as current data are based on excessive acute exposure due to an accident as seen in India.