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Communities near toluene diisocyanate sources: an investigation of exposure and health

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 21, pages 587–594 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a well-known cause of occupational asthma, but we know little about the potential for exposure and health effects among residents who live near facilities that release TDI. In the mid-1990's, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry investigated exposures to TDI and health outcomes in one community, which left some unanswered questions. This cross-sectional study evaluated the potential associations between living near a TDI source and the prevalence of three variables: asthma or asthma-like respiratory symptoms, antibodies specific to TDI, and verifiable levels of TDI in residential air. Results among North Carolina residents living near such facilities (five target communities) were compared with the results from residents living further away (five comparison communities). Overall, the prevalence of reporting either asthma or asthma-like respiratory symptoms was higher (odds ratio=1.60; 95% confidence interval=0.97–2.54) among residents in target communities than those in comparison communities. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Symptom prevalence varied greatly among the community populations. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher near facilities with historically higher TDI emissions. Among the 351 participants who provided blood samples, only one had immunoglobulin G specific antibodies to TDI. This participant lived in a target area and may have had non-occupational exposure. TDI was detected at an extremely low level (1 ppt) in one of the 45 air samples from target communities. One ppt is one-tenth the EPA reference concentration. Overall, air sample and antibody test results are not consistent with recent or ongoing exposure to TDI.

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Abbreviations

CI:

confidence interval

HDI:

hexamethylene diisocyanate

IgE:

immunoglobulin E

IgG:

immunoglobulin G

LC-MS-MS:

liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, mass spectrometry

LOD:

limit of detection

MDI:

diphenylmethane diisocyanate

OR:

odds ratio

ppb:

parts per billion

ppt:

part per trillion

TDI:

toluene diisocyanate

TRI:

Toxic Release Inventory

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Acknowledgements

The study team appreciates the cooperation of all study participants. The efforts of Ron Kovein, NIOSH, in developing the novel electronic setup of air monitoring and sampling system were invaluable. We also appreciate the invaluable efforts and input provided by the study's communication advisory panel that included representatives from the public, academia, local health departments, and industry.

Financing sources: this work was supported by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, in cooperative agreement with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Cooperative Agreement number U50/ATU472297; through an interagency agreement with the Division of Federal Occupational Health Services (ATSDR-05039473); through an agreement with the National Institute for Occupational Health Sciences; and through a contract with the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (200-2007-20405).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Health Studies, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Lynn C Wilder, Dan C Middleton, Wendy A Wattigney & Steve M Dearwent

  2. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

    Ricky L Langley & Douglas S Campbell

  3. Division of Applied Research and Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Kathleen Ernst & Robert P Streicher

  4. Division of Immunology/Allergy, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Zana L Lummus, Jonathan A Bernstein & David I Bernstein

Authors
  1. Lynn C Wilder
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  2. Ricky L Langley
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  3. Dan C Middleton
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  4. Kathleen Ernst
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  5. Zana L Lummus
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  7. Douglas S Campbell
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  8. Wendy A Wattigney
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  9. Jonathan A Bernstein
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  10. David I Bernstein
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  11. Steve M Dearwent
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Correspondence to Lynn C Wilder.

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Wilder, L., Langley, R., Middleton, D. et al. Communities near toluene diisocyanate sources: an investigation of exposure and health. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 21, 587–594 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2011.5

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