Primarily targeting the respiratory system, ISO’s cause
- Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Anemia Syndrome (bleeding in the lungs)
- Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Isocyanates are even suspected to cause cancer.
However, minimum testing thresholds are not breached in laboratories, so they are not labeled cancer causing in MSDS or other technical references for this family of reactants.Because the short term side effects can be contributed unknowingly to others environmental factors, people can be exposed to ISO vapors for prolonged periods before isolating them as the root cause of failing health conditions. Some of the short term effects of ISO exposure include:

- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
- Impotency
- Respiratory infections
If you have experienced or are experiencing any combination of the short term effects listed here, you need to have your workspace inspected to find out if there are any isocyanates being used in your vicinity and then whether or not there is a leak caused by either the materials or by control equipment/areas that are in your workshop/office.
If you are getting exposed, so are other people. These types of situations need to be avoided at all costs due to the long term effects on the body. These ISOs work in a way that cause the body to become allergic at even the smallest amount of exposure.