Associations of Symptoms Related to Isocyanate, Ureaformol, and Formophenolic Exposures with Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function in Coal Miners

Abstract

The respiratory effects of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI)-based resins and ureaformol- and formophenolic-based resins, used in coal mining, are unknown. This cross-sectional study of 354 miners evaluated respiratory health in miners with MDI-related symptoms (IS) and ureaformoljformophenolic-related symptoms (UFS). The protocol included clinical examination, chest radiograph, questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, smoking habit, job history, resin handling, and spirometry. Resin handling concerned 27.7% of the miners. IS affected 5.6%, and 1.4% also after work. UFS affected 22.6%, and 2.3% also after work. Wheezing affected 35.6%; chronic cough, expectoration, or bronchitis about 10%; dyspnea 5.4%; and asthma 2.8%. The miners with UFS had significantly more frequent chronic cough, expectoration, chronic bronchitis, dyspnea, and wheezing, whereas those with IS at and after work had markedly lower FVC, FEV₁, MMEF, FEF_50%, and FEF_25%. These findings raise the possibility of deleterious effects of exposures to MDI and ureaformol/formophenolic resins on respiratory health and lung function in coal miners during their working life.

Keywords:

• 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate
• ureaformol
• formophenolic
• respiratory symptoms
• lung function