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Polyurethanes and childhood asthma
Cheryl A Krone1, Tom D Klingner, John T Ely
1Applied Research Institute, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Insights
Neonatal exposure to isocyanates from polyurethane medical materials may contribute to childhood asthma. Dermal contact with these materials can lead to sensitization and immune system dysregulation in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Environmental Health
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Childhood asthma prevalence is increasing, with genetic and environmental factors implicated.
- Early-life exposure to environmental stressors can disrupt immune system balance.
- Isocyanates, used in polyurethane production, are known to trigger asthma and atopy-like immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential neonatal exposure to isocyanates via polyurethane-containing medical materials.
- To explore the link between early-life dermal exposure to isocyanates and the development of childhood asthma.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed polyurethane-containing medical materials in a neonatal unit.
- Tested material samples for isocyanate residues using a colorimetric method.
Main Results:
- Isocyanate residues were detected in various neonatal medical materials, including wound dressings and adhesive films.
- These materials directly contact neonatal skin.
Conclusions:
- Neonates may experience dermal exposure to isocyanates through polyurethane medical materials.
- Dermal isocyanate exposure can cause sensitization and asthma in animal models.
- This exposure may contribute to immune system dysregulation and predispose infants to childhood asthma.
Background:
Asthma is the most common chronic disease of children. Its prevalence in affluent nations has steadily and dramatically increased in recent decades. Genetic and environmental factors play a role in development of atopy and asthma. Imbalance in the immune system favoring respiratory diseases has been linked to exposure to environmental stressors (e.g, biological and chemical) very early in life. Isocyanates, used in the production of polyurethane, can elicit asthma and produce immune responses (e.g, antibodies, cytokines, etc.) typical of atopy.
Material/Methods:
Numerous medical materials that directly contact human neonates are constructed of polyurethanes. A detailed survey and listing of such materials was undertaken in the neonatal unit of a large urban hospital. Representative samples of polyurethane-containing materials were tested for isocyanate residues using a semi-quantitative colorimetric method.
Results:
Isocyanate residues were detected in wound dressings, adhesive films, oximetry sensors, etc, that directly contact neonatal skin.
Conclusions:
Dermal exposure to polyurethane and, thus, to isocyanates could occur early in life through contact with medical materials. In an animal model, dermal exposure to isocyanates leads to dermal sensitization and asthma. We postulate that dermal contact with polyurethane-containing medical materials may be involved in dysregulation of the neonatal immune system and could predispose infants to the development of childhood asthma.
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