Effect of toluene diisocyanate on lung function of workers

Objective To investigate the effect of long-term exposure to toluene diisocyanate (TDI) on the lung function of TDI-exposed workers.Methods A factory was selected for this occupational epidemiological investigation.The workers who were exposed to TDI and had complete physical examination records in recent 3 years were the exposed group (n=45),while the company's administrative staff,logistics staff,and other nonTDI-exposed workers who had complete physical examination records in recent 3 years were the control group (n=47).The two groups were compared in terms of lung function indices.Results Compared with the control group,the 2009 exposure group had significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0),FEV1.0/forced vital capacity (FVC),and maximal expiratory flow at 25％ ofFVC (MEF25) (P＜0.05),the 2010 exposure group had significantly lower FEV1.0,FEV1.0/FVC,maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV),and maximal expiratory flow at 50％ ofFVC (MEF50) (P＜0.05),and the 2011 exposure group had significantly lower FEV1.0,FEV1.0/FVC,peak expiratory flow (PEF),MEF25,and MEF50 (P＜0.05).Conclusion Long-term exposure to TDI can lead to certain impairment of lung function in workers,which may be reflected by decreased lung function indices such as vital capacity,FVC,FEV1.0,FEV1.0/FVC,PEF,and MVV. Key words: Toluene diisocyanate;  Respiratory function tests;  Occupational exposure