"Survey of Painters and Repairers of Auto bodies by Yale"

135 College St, New Haven, CT 06510-2283
(203) 785-6818

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WHY ARE WE INTERESTED?

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Asthma is a progressive airways disease that may cause wheezing, chest tightness, and cough. Occupational asthma develops when the airways overreact to dust, vapors, gases, or fumes that exist only in the workplace. Occupational asthma has become the most prevalent work-related lung disease in developed countries. One of the most common causes of occupational asthma is diisocyanate exposure. Diisocyanates are highly reactive, low molecular weight compounds found in hardeners used in many autobody paint systems. Approximately 5 - 10 % of workers exposed to isocyanates may develop isocyanate asthma. Isocyanates account for the highest number of reported cases of occupational asthma in the US. There is not enough data about isocyanate asthma and the conditions that cause the disease to effectively prevent disease. Currently there is no simple way to diagnose isocyanate asthma.

We are launching SPRAY to look at the exposures in the autobody shops that may affect employees and lead to isocyanate asthma. We want to work with you to make your shop a safe environment and to reduce your exposure levels so that isocyanate asthma can be prevented.

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