The prevalence of asthma among inhabitants in the vicinity of a polyurethane factory in Finland

摘要: Because toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a strong sensitizer for asthma among workers in polyurethane factories, it mostly extracted from the factory premises. The influence of such emissions on prevalence people living vicinity Kouvola, Southern Finland, was studied through questionnaire survey sent to 6807 persons around and control area; these 4182 (61%) responded. In study area near there were 68 cases out 3153 respondents (2.2%). 25 1029 (2.4%). difference insignificant (χ2 = 0.27). Among middle-aged significantly higher 6.8**). There some indication lower zone nearest factory, possibly due its psychologically repellent effect asthmatics, causing them move away. Serum samples 62 patients contacted (91%) received analyzed TDI, HDI, MDI. A positive result isocyanates observed only one patient who had been exposed his occupation outside factory. It concluded that did not have noticeable upon surroundings.