Diisocyanate and non-diisocyanate sensitizer-induced occupational asthma frequency during 2003 to 2007 in Ontario, Canada.

Abstract

To investigate proportions and outcomes of isocyanate and other causes of occupational asthma (OA) claims in Ontario, Canada, 2003 to 2007. New accepted workers' compensation claims for OA compensated by the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board were retrospectively reviewed. There were 112 allowed claims for OA-30 (26.8%) from diisocyanates (ISO) and 82 (73.2%) from other causes (non-diisocyanates [N-ISO]). The most common occupations for ISO OA were production workers (50%). The most common agents in the N-ISO group were flour (13%) and metal dusts/fumes (10%). At a median time of 8 months postdiagnosis, 55% of ISO and 56.4% of N-ISO workers, respectively, were unemployed. Diisocyanates OA compensation claims in Ontario are recognized at a lower absolute number and proportion of all OA claims than those in earlier periods. More than half from all causes were unemployed at a median of 8 months postdiagnosis.