Qualitative assessment of isocyanate skin exposure in auto body shops: A pilot study

Background Little is known about the extent of human isocyanate skin exposu re in auto body shops and the effectiveness of personal protective equipmen t. Animal studies have suggested that skin exposure to isocyanates may be a n important risk factor for respiratory sensitization leading to asthma. Th is study provides initial data on hexamethylene diisocyanate skin exposure in three auto body shops. Methods Three auto body shops of different size which use different paint s ystems were examined for the presence of aliphatic isocyanates on environme ntal surfaces and workers' skin and for breakthrough of personal protective equipment. Qualitative detection of contamination by isocyanates was condu cted using a wipe-sampling technique. Assessment focused on the painters an d their tasks, although other auto body repairers were also evaluated. Results Environmental surfaces such as painters' workbenches, spray equipme nt, and cleaning tools were found contaminated with isocyanates. Painters h ad frequent contact with contaminated surfaces, often without wearing glove s. Moderate to heavy contamination of some skin surfaces was found with pai nters from two of the three auto body shops. Latex gloves used for skin pro tection showed significant penetrations by isocyanates even after a single painting session. Conclusions Contaminated environmental surfaces and skin exposure to isocya nates were documented in several auto body shops. Latex gloves were not ade quate protection for workers using isocyanate paints. Further research whic h would better quantify skin exposure, and its potential relationship to re spiratory sensitization and asthma is warranted. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.