Assessment of exposure to diisocyanates and safety management in industries

Diisocyanates have risen in global productions and they are used in diverse industries. Diisocyanates are an important cause of occupational asthma and increase the risk of occupational asthma. Workers come into contact with diisocyanates by dermal and inhalation exposure and this can be under the form of the particles, vapour, or aerosol, depending on the type of diisocyanates used and the process for which it is used. Moreover, skin contact can occur via contaminated surfaces. We are able to assess the concentration of diisocyanates in the air. Sensitization of the respiratory tract by diisocyanates can result in rhinitis and occupational asthma, which are important occupational health issue. Moreover, skin contacts to isocyanates can also lead to irritation, contact dermatitis and systemic sensitization. Assessment of dermal exposure is much less commonly performed. Both for the reasons, that good methodology and technical methods are lacking. One method, which is used, is the tape stripping technique or the surrogate hand technique. Another method, to assess exposure to noxious chemicals, is biomonitoring. This can be done by the analysis of metabolites in urine. An advantage of biological monitoring is that it assesses exposure by inhalation, ingestion, and through the skin at once. By simultaneous assessment of the concentrations of diisocyanates in the air, along with diisocyanates exposure on the skin and urinary biomonitoring, we will be able to determine the relative contributions of different routes of exposure to the internal dose. This will allow us to adequately propose control measures to reduced exposure and decrease the risk for disease. This project will improve the knowledge on the impact of dermal exposure in work related diseases, and will result in adequate exposure management strategies for routine use by industrial hygienist.