Respiratory symptoms among waste-picking child laborers: a cross-sectional study.

This study evaluates respiratory symptoms, lung function, and exposure to airborne particles among waste-picking children. We enrolled 103 waste-picking children at a dump in Managua, Nicaragua and 103 children who do not pick waste. Exposure to airborne particles was assessed by area sampling.

Ocular and airway symptoms related to organic acid anhydride exposure--a prospective study.

Background: Organic acid anhydrides (OAA) are used as hardeners in epoxy resin systems. They are powerful sensitizers giving frequent rhinitis and asthma in exposed workers. Incidence of symptoms is unknown.

Airways symptoms, immunological response and exposure in powder painting.

Objectives: Powder painting is an alternative to solvent-based spray painting. Powder paints may contain organic acid anhydrides (OAAs), which are irritants to the airways and may cause sensitisation. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and immunological response among powder painters and to describe the exposure to OAAs.

Biological monitoring of exposure to toluene diisocyanate.

Objectives: Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is used in the manufacture of polyurethane and is a potent inducer of diseases of the airways. In this study, 2,4- and 2,6-toluenediamine in hydrolyzed urine and plasma were evaluated as biomarkers of exposure to 2,4- and 2,6-TDI, respectively.

Methods: For 81 exposed workers from nine different plants, the personal 8-hour time-weighted-average exposure to TDI was monitored by a filter method with 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine.

Determination of isocyanates in air using 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine-impregnated filters: long-term sampling performance and field comparison with impingers with dibutylamine.

Isocyanates may be harmful to workers and methods for monitoring air exposure in the field are necessary. The main aim of this study was to study the field performance of a method using 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine (2MP)-impregnated filters, by side-by-side comparison of long-term sampling with consecutive short-term samplings and also by short-term comparisons with other methods. Apart from using 2MP-impregnated filters, air monitoring was also performed by a modified 2MP method (FINMP) and by an impinger method using dibutylamine (DBA), which was the reference method.

A survey of airborne isocyanate exposure in 13 Swedish polyurethane industries.

Exposure to isocyanates can be harmful to workers by causing different disorders of the airways. The main objectives of this study were to survey the personal 8 h time-weighted average exposure to isocyanates at 13 Swedish plants that handled either polyurethane, diisocyanates or both, including four types of manufacturing processes: moulding, continuous foaming, flame lamination and low or no heating processes. A total of 223 air samples were collected for 111 workers with personal air monitoring using a dry filter method with 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine (2MP) as derivatization reagent.

Association of HLA-DQ5 and HLA-DR1 with sensitization to organic acid anhydrides.

Background: Organic acid anhydrides are low molecular weight industrial chemicals, able to cause rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma associated with specific IgE against hapten-carrier protein conjugate. Only a proportion of exposed workers develop IgE-associated allergy to acid anhydrides.

Objective: We determined whether genetic susceptibility, in particular, HLA Class II alleles may be a risk factor.

Cancer incidence and mortality of isocyanate exposed workers from the Swedish polyurethane foam industry: updated findings 1959-98.

Aims: To assess whether cancer incidence and mortality in chronic obstructive lung diseases were increased in the Swedish polyurethane foam industry cohort, updated with 11 more years of follow up.

Methods: The mortality and cancer incidence (1959-98) experienced by a cohort of 4175 male and female employees employed for at least one year in the period 1959-87 at one of nine Swedish polyurethane foaming plants were investigated. Comparisons were based on calendar year, sex, and five-year age group specific mortality and incidence rates for Sweden.

Cytogenetic and morphologic subgroups of myelodysplastic syndromes in relation to occupational and hobby exposures.

Objectives: This study investigated the association between occupational and hobby exposure and the risk of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) while focusing on differential patterns of clonal chromosome aberrations and morphologic subgroups.

Methods: A case-referent study was conducted with 330 MDS patients investigated cytogenetically in 1976-1993 (cases) and matched referents. Telephone interviews with either the person or a next-of-kin were used.

Development, validation and characterization of an analytical method for the quantification of hydrolysable urinary metabolites and plasma protein adducts of 2,4- and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate, 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate and 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate.

Occupational exposure to diisocyanates within the plastic industry causes irritation and disorders in the airway. The aim of this study was to develop, validate and characterize a method for the determination of 2,4-toluenediamine (2,4-TDA), 2,6-toluenediamine (2,6-TDA), 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (1,5-NDA) and 4,4'-methylenedianiline (4,4'-MDA) in hydrolysed urine and plasma, and to study the correlation between the plasma and urinary levels of these potential biomarkers of 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (2,4-TDI), 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (2,6-TDI), 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate (1,5-NDI) and 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (4,4'-MDI), respectively. Samples were hydrolysed with 0.

Exposure-response relationships for hexahydrophthalic and methylhexahydrophthalic anhydrides with total plasma protein adducts as biomarkers.

Objectives: This study investigated the exposure-response relationships of hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA) and methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA) and evaluated the applicability of the total plasma protein adducts (TPPA) of these anhydrides as biomarkers of exposure and risk.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study of 139 workers in a plant manufacturing electrical capacitors, the long-term exposure to HHPA and MHHPA was assessed through the quantification of TPPA using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Smoking and medical histories were obtained through questionnaires.

Retrospective exposure assessment and quality control in an international multi-centre case-control study.

The paper presents the exposure assessment method and quality control procedure used in an international, multi-centre case-control study within a joint Nordic and Italian cohort. This study was conducted to evaluate whether occupational exposure to carcinogens influenced the predictivity of high frequency of chromosomal aberrations (CA) in peripheral lymphocytes for increased cancer risk. Occupational hygienists assessed exposures in each participating country: Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway and Sweden.

Exposure and nasal inflammation in workers heating polyurethane.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that exposure to thermal-degradation products of polyurethane (PUR), particularly isocyanates, induced nasal inflammation.

Methods: Thirty-eight workers -14 with a history of work-related nasal symptoms (WRS/Nose), and 15 referents without such history - exposed to sprayed and heated PUR glue, were studied with regard to biomarkers of isocyanate exposure [4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate; MDI) and 2,4- and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (TDI), determined as 4,4'-diphenylmethane (U-MDX) and 2,4- and 2,6-toluene (U-2,4 and U-2,6-TDX) diamine in hydrolysed urine and nasal lavage fluid (NAL)], inflammation [albumin; eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP); myeloperoxidase (MPO) and cells in NAL], serum IgG specific for MDI (S-IgG-MDI) and TDI (S-IgG-TDI), and nose symptoms. Nine unexposed office workers were also examined.

Evaluation of occupational and leisure time exposure assessment in a population-based case control study on leukaemia.

Objectives: To increase the credibility of retrospective exposure assessments. documentation of the procedures and presentation of measures on quality control is recommended. The aim of this study was to present and evaluate the procedures used in a case-control study on leukaemia.

Exposure to hexahydrophthalic and methylhexahydrophthalic anhydrides--dose-response for sensitization and airway effects.

Objectives: This study clarified the exposure-response relationships for the organic acid anhydrides (OAA) hexahydrophthalic (HHPA) and methylhexahydrophthalic (MHHPA) anhydrides and the development of specific immunoglobulin (IG) E and G antibodies and work-related symptoms.

Methods: In an epoxy resin-using factory, air levels of OAA were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Occupational, smoking, and medical histories (questionnaire) were obtained for 154 exposed workers and 57 referents.

Are occupational, hobby, or lifestyle exposures associated with Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukaemia?

Objectives: To investigate a broad range of occupational, hobby, and lifestyle exposures, suggested as risk factors for Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).

Methods: A case-control study, comprising 255 Ph+CML patients from southern Sweden and matched controls, was conducted. Individual data on work tasks, hobbies, and lifestyle exposures were obtained by telephone interviews.

Serum albumins are the major site for in vivo formation of hapten-carrier protein adducts in plasma from humans and guinea-pigs exposed to type-1 allergy inducing hexahydrophthalic anhydride.

Background: Organic acid anhydrides (OAAs) are highly allergenic compounds used in the chemical industry. The OAAs probably act as haptens but the proteins that form conjugates with OAAs in vivo are still unknown. Conjugates between the anhydrides and serum albumins (SAs) have routinely been used when testing for OAA-specific antibodies.

A prospective study of the relationship between exposure and specific antibodies in workers exposed to organic acid anhydrides.

Background: The exposure-response relationships for the induction of specific IgE and IgG were evaluated in a prospective study of workers exposed to organic acid anhydrides (OAAs). Special attention was paid to the modifying effects of atopy and smoking.

Methods: The subjects were 163 previously unexposed persons exposed to epoxy resins with hexahydro-, methylhexahydro-, and methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride as curing agents.

Acute myeloid leukemia and clonal chromosome aberrations in relation to past exposure to organic solvents.

Objectives: The effects of occupational and leisure-time exposures on the risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were investigated with emphasis on clonal chromosome aberrations (CCA) and morphological subtypes.

Methods: Consecutively diagnosed cases of AML (N=333) and 1 population referent per case were retrospectively included in the study. Information on worktasks, companies, and leisure-time activities was obtained with telephone interviews.

Exposure assessment and sensitisation in workers exposed to organic acid anhydrides.

Objectives: To clarify whether the intensity of exposure to organic acid anhydrides (OAAs) is associated with the risk of sensitisation to these allergens.

Methods: The investigations were carried out in three different manufacturing plants (A, B, and C) where OAAs were used in the production of epoxy resins. Methyltetrahydrophthalic acid anhydride (MTHPA) was used in all three plants.

Exposure biomarkers and risk from gluing and heating of polyurethane: a cross sectional study of respiratory symptoms.

Objectives: To define the relation between exposure to polyurethane (PUR) glue, biomarkers of exposure and effect, and work related symptoms that occur at least once a week.

Methods: In a cross sectional study, 152 workers and 14 clerks in a factory with exposure to sprayed and heated PUR glue containing 4, 4'-diphenylmethane (MDI) or 1,6-hexamethylene (HDI) di-isocyanate were examined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for metabolites of MDI in plasma (P-MDX) and urine (U-MDX), 2,4- and 2, 6-toluene di-isocyanate (TDI; P-TDX, U-TDX) and HDI in plasma and urine, specific serum IgG (S-IgG-MDI, S-IgG-HDI, and S-IgG-TDI, respectively) and IgE (S-IgE-MDI). Work related symptoms of the eyes and airways (nose or lower airways, or both), and lung function were also evaluated.

Efficacy of measures of hygiene in workers sensitised to acid anhydrides and the influence of selection bias on the results.

Objectives: Organic acid anhydrides are potential sensitisers and cause occupational airway diseases. In an intervention study the efficacy of measures of hygiene at the workplace and possible selection bias were investigated.

Methods: A first investigation with 110 workers exposed to hexahydrophthalic acid anhydride (HHPA) and methyltetrahydrophthalic acid anhydride (MTHPA) was carried out in July 1991.

Binding of the potent allergen hexahydrophthalic anhydride in the mucosa of the upper respiratory and alimentary tract following single inhalation exposures in guinea pigs and rats.

Hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA; CAS No. 13149-00-3) is a highly allergenic compound commonly used in the chemical industry. Guinea pigs and rats were exposed to [3H2]HHPA by inhalation for 3-8 h and were killed at various intervals during 7 days.

Antibody responses of rats after immunization with organic acid anhydrides as a model of predictive testing.

Objectives: The sensitizing properties of organic acid anhydrides (OAA) were evaluated in a rat model.

Methods: The development of specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E and Ig G in serum was investigated after immunization with 14 OAA and 3 OAA conjugates. Brown Norway rats were injected intradermally with 0.