Health, Fire & Safety Issues

POLYURETHANES AND ISOCYANATES - SAFETY AND EMISSIONS

Q.  I am working on a health risk assessment where I have to quantify emissions from two-part coatings, where the catalyst contains a disocyanate (DIC). It is my contention that only a small fraction of DIC is emitted into the atmosphere, the rest is incorporated into the polymerized resin. Do you have any information regarding actual emissions, and what is the reference? 

A.   Thanks for your great question. I seem to remember that several years ago the concentration of isocyanate monomer (the potentially toxic portion of the curing agent) in a polyurethane coating is only approximately 0.75%, but perhaps that concentration is even lower in today's market.

In my opinion, the very best source of information is from Bayer USA. They have an excellent website where you can get tons of information. If you don't find the level of detail you are looking for, speak to someone in the industrial hygiene department. In the past, I have found them to be most helpful.

http://www.bayerus.com/coatingsandcolorants/literature/
auto/pdf/safe_app.pdf  

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