Yale occupational medicine and pulmonary disease experts are studying isocyanate-induced asthma to develop improved diagnostic tools and determine risk factors for this elusive problem., finds that this type of asthma is difficult to diagnose. Diisocyanates are compounds widely found in industry, primarily as hardening agents in urethane paints and plastics, foams and coatings. One of the most common work settings that use the agents are autobody repair shops.
Early diagnosis is key to effective treatment.
If we can get patients away from the exposure early, we may be able to prevent asthma. But if we miss the diagnosis, the worker may go on to develop chronic asthma, a problem they could have for the rest of his or her life. The Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program team is available to evaluate patients who physicians suspect may have asthma that is aggravated or caused by work.