By breathing in isocyanates, you could develop the following lung diseases:
Occupational asthma - Breathing in isocyanates can cause a person to develop an allergic reaction (respiratory sensitisation). Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. Once a person has become sensitised to isocyanates, it can trigger asthma symptoms when breathed in (occupational asthma), even in very small amounts. A person may have been at their place of work for weeks, months or even years before they start having asthma symptoms.
Symptoms can develop immediately after breathing in isocyanate vapour or mists but can also appear several hours later outside working hours in the evening or early morning.
Early signs of respiratory sensitisation to isocyanates include one or more of the following:
The health risks from isocyanates are insignificant when exposure to vapour, mists and aerosols are adequately controlled.
Employers should always be aware of anyone who is already sensitised to isocyanates and keep them away from the work.
