Medical Monitoring for Occupational Asthma Among Toluene Diisocyanate Production Workers in the United States. J Occup Environ Med 2017 Dec;59 Suppl 12(Suppl 12):S13-S21
Date
12/05/2017Pubmed ID
29200134Pubmed Central ID
PMC5728423DOI
10.1097/JOM.0000000000001197Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85033580658 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 7 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe a study of medical monitoring methods and lessons learned in detecting health outcomes in U.S. plants producing toluene diisocyanate (TDI).
METHODS: A multidisciplinary team implemented a medical and environmental monitoring program in three TDI plants.
RESULTS: Of 269 eligible workers, 197 (73%) participated and 42 (21%) met symptom and/or lung function criteria that would trigger evaluation for possible asthma over 5 years of data collection. Subsequent evaluation was delayed for most, and a web-based data collection system improved timeliness.
CONCLUSION: Medical monitoring of TDI workers identified workers triggering further assessment per study protocol. Systems and/or personnel to ensure rapid follow-up are needed to highlight when triggering events represent potential cases of asthma needing further evaluation. Implementation of a research protocol requires resources and oversight beyond an occupational health program.
Author List
Cassidy LD, Doney B, Wang ML, Kurth L, Conner PR, Collins JJ, Carson M, Molenaar D, Redlich CA, Storey EAuthor
Laura Cassidy PhD Associate Dean, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAged
Asthma, Occupational
Chemical Industry
Environmental Monitoring
Female
Forced Expiratory Volume
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Exposure
Population Surveillance
Program Evaluation
Referral and Consultation
Spirometry
Surveys and Questionnaires
Symptom Assessment
Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate
United States
Young Adult
