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Exposure assessment
O9.1 EVALUATION OF WORKERS’ EXPOSURE TO METHYLENE DIPHENYL DIISOCYANATE IN AN AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, IRAN
S. J. Shahtaheri1, H. Kakooei1, H. Karbasi1.1School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Introduction: Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) is one of the most important industrial compounds used to produce flexible polyurethane foams, sealants, and adhesives, and some other synthetic products, causing adverse effect on workers. This study has aimed to evaluate occupational exposure to such compound.
Methods: Through this investigation, a cross sectional evaluation of exposures to MDI among 39 employees, working in the window fixation and window glue, in an automobile manufacture was performed. Workers were interviewed, using a health work practice questionnaire, worksite inspections. Exposure assessment was conducted for both case and control groups. Control group of 117 unexposed employees, working in other workstations were also interviewed. Personal inhalation exposure, while using MDI, was done, using MDHS 49 (method for determination of hazardous substance, October 1985), in which, after sampling and sample preparation, MDI was determined by UV-VIS at 590 nm as well as assessing the lung function by using spirometer.
Results: The average concentration of MDI in the window fixation, and window glue were 34.53 and 27.37 mg/m3 respectively which was lower than the TLV recommended by ACGIH (51 mg/m3). Results also showed that, respiratory symptoms such as sputum, cough, wheezing in the exposed group were significantly different compare to the unexposed group (p<0.05). The mean value of pulmonary function parameters showed that, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and PEP in case group were lower than the control group (p<0.05). The results also showed that, exposed workers who were in higher and lover values than the average concentration of MDI (31.22 mg/m3) had a significant difference with the symptoms from difficulty in respiratory system, eyes, mental, and FVC, and FEV.
Conclusion: From the results …