Detection of diisocyanates in nesting material associated with mortality in pigeon chicks

Abstract

Diisocyanates, commonly used in the production of polyurethane foams, paints, elastomers, varnishes, and coatings, are considered among the most hazardous inhalation toxicants. The present report describes 2 unusual cases of mortality in pigeon chicks associated with nesting material contaminated by diisocyanates. Case 1 was submitted by a racing pigeon breeder who had lost all the hatchlings (n = 125) following replacement of the nesting material with a different lot. All adult birds appeared healthy, and hatchability was not significantly affected, but hatchlings became lethargic and dyspneic after a day of hatch. At necropsy, dark wet lungs were found in the hatchlings. Case 2 was submitted by a show-roller pigeon breeder. In this case, the owner reported lower hatchability, and all hatchlings (approximately 100) died within 2 days of hatching with clinical signs similar to the first case. Necropsy did not reveal any significant findings. For both cases, nesting materials were screened for toxic compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (approximately 190-290 ppm) and 4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (unquantified) were detected in the nesting pads. While there is very limited information on toxicosis in birds, there are reports of inhalant exposure of diisocyanates causing pulmonary edema and death in various mammalian species. Although cause-effect relationship of mortality and the nesting material was not established in the present cases, the presence of toxic compounds in the nesting materials is a cause for concern. Further investigation is needed to determine the prevalence and toxicity of diisocyanates-contaminated nesting material in avian species.

What makes a house a home? Nest box use by West European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) is influenced by nest box placement, resource provisioning and site-based factors

“…However, different nesting materials are likely to vary with respect to their thermal properties ( Corrales-Moya et al, 2021 ), longevity ( Hebda, Kandziora & Mitrus, 2017 ) and/or influence on ectoparasite presence ( Reynolds et al, 2019 ). In addition, some man-made materials may contain toxic compounds that could affect survival ( Mukai et al, 2014 ). Additional research is therefore required to examine which materials are being used by hedgehogs within nest boxes, how this relates to material availability in the wider environment and how nest structure ultimately affects their behaviour and success.…”

A Biochemichal and Ultrastructural Study on the Effect of Toluene on the Pars Distalis of Anterior Pituitary Glands of Adult Male Albino Rats

“…Human exposures have the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality and this explained the high mortality rate (30%), which found in this study during toluene exposure. It was established that the cause of death may be due to cardiopulmonary failure or pulmonary edema (Prayulsatien W, 2013, Mukai M et al, 2014 andWilliam K. et al, 2016 [2,28,29] The endocrine glands; including adrenal, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, endocrine part of pancreas, testis and ovary can be affected by various industrial solvents, in human and experimental animals. The pituitary gland hormones are specifically changes after toluene exposure (Yeshvandra et al 2009) [30] .…”

Structure–Property Relationships in Epoxyurethane Polymers Based on Erythritol Dicarbonate

“…[5] Aliphatic and aromatic diisocyanate monomers are the most DOI: 10.1002/macp.202200451 common raw materials in the traditional synthesis process and it is known that isocyanates can cause environmental pollution and cancer diseases. [6] In order to reduce environmental pollution and healthy problems, the synthesis research of nonisocyanate polyurethanes (NIPU) has attracted close attention.…”