Assessment and Prevention of Isocyanate Exposures in the Construction Industry
Carrie Redlich, MD, MPH Yale University
New Haven, CT
Ph: 203-737-2817
Email: carrie.redlich@yale.edu
Abstract:
Reactive isocyanate chemicals (R-N=C=O), the essential cross-linker for producing polyurethane (PU), are well-known sensitizers and one of the most common causes of occupational asthma, with methylene bisphenyl isocyanate (MDI) now the dominant isocyanate used. The construction industry has become the largest market for isocyanates in North America, with tremendous growth in the use of isocyanate- containing end-use products such as PU foam insulation, roofing materials, coatings, and adhesives. Despite the now widespread use of such end-user PU products in construction, there is a paucity of published information regarding the nature and extent of isocyanate respiratory and skin exposures among workers in this industry, and even more limited data on the associated health risks or effectiveness of different strategies (e.g. work practices, PPE, other controls) to reduce such exposures.
To address these research needs and prevent health effects of isocyanate exposures in construction workers we propose to conduct a series of field and intervention studies, with the following Specific Aims:
Aim 1) Assess the risk of respiratory and skin isocyanate exposures for different PU products and tasks in the construction industry, focusing on the most widely used products with potential isocyanate exposure risks, especially skin exposure.
Aim 2) Develop and implement health and exposure surveillance program for construction workers who work with or around PU products.
Aim 3) Using information from Aims 1 & 2, design, implement and evaluate an integrated intervention program to reduce isocyanate exposures in construction workers.
Aim 4) Disseminate information on the hazards of PU materials and preventive strategies to construction workers and the construction industry, based on knowledge gained from Aims 1-3.
