Respiratory function study of Nigerian workers in a TDI-based foam plant

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Abstract
This study was undertaken to determine the adverse effects of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) on the lung function of workers in a setting where occupational health practice is rudimentary, if nonexistent, and where workers are neither screened for individual susceptibilities nor exposure induced impairments. The respiratory effects of TDI were investigated by means of a questionnaire and also by pulmonary function tests of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and peak flow rate (PFR). The exposure subgroup in the most direct contact with TDI had the lowest FVC and FEV1 and the highest prevalence of probable TDI induced symptoms. The lowering of pulmonary function, and the frequency of symptoms and of restrictive respiratory disease followed a gradient defined by probable exposure levels. The most exposed subgroup had significantly lower FVC (P < 0.005), and lower FEV1 (P < 0.05) than the least exposed subgroup, and significantly higher frequency of restrictive respiratory disease than the 2 other exposure subgroups, P < 0.02 and P < 0.03, respectively. The frequency of cough, besides following an exposure gradient, was higher in nonsmokers than smokers. Duration of service, over 24 mo., had significant influence on the frequency of symptoms.

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