Isocyanates in automobile paint shops: assessment of exposure and existing control methods Abstract Exposure to isocyanates is a recognized cause of occupational asthma. These compounds are used in many industrial sectors, and are particularly prevalent in the automotive body-work and painting sectors.Isocyanate levels were measured during painting operations at a number of work areas with either lateral or vertical ventilation systems, and the chemical species, degree of polymerization (monomer/oligomer), and state (gas/particulate) characterized. Using this information, it was possible to determine worker exposures, and compare them as a function of the conditions under which the painting took place and the ventilation system in use.The results indicate the existence of problematic exposure levels and of a significant dependence of the exposure on the ventilation system used. Produced Under this Project Scientific Reports Isocyanates in automobile paint shops: Exposure evaluation Research Report: R-037Evaluation of isocyanate exposure in automobile paint shops Research Summary: PR-135 Scientific Publications Worker's exposure to isocyanatesLesage J., Goyer N., Desjardins F., Vincent J.-Y., Perrault G.Source : American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, vol. 53, no 2, 1992, p. 146-153Sampling deviceLesage J., Perrault G.Source : Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 9 octobre 1990, 10 p., Classification internationale (5e éd.) : B01D 53/30, G01N 1/24, Brevet no 4961916, États-Unis, 21 avril 1992, Brevet no 1299114, CanadaApproche systématique visant l'identification et la quantification des isocyanates émis lors de la combustion d'une peinture automobileBoutin M., Lesage J., Ostiguy C., Bertrand M.-J.Source : in Cultures préventives : des attitudes aux habitudes. Congrès de l'Association québécoise pour l'hygiène, la santé et la sécurité du travail / AQHSST, (25e : 7-9 mai, 2003 : Trois-Rivières, Québec), Trois-Rivières, Québec : AQHSST, 2003, p. 109-117Validation of an isocyanate exposure model and applicability in industrial hygiene studiesGoyer N., Lesage J.Source : in American Industrial Hygiene Conference, (May 15-20, 1988 : San Francisco, California), 1988, p. 220Identification of Products Generated during the Pyrolysis of a Polyurethane-based Car Paint using Py-MAB-Tof AnalysisBoutin M., Lesage J., Ostiguy C., Bertrand M.Source : In ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics (50th : 2-6 June 2002 : Orlando, Florida), 2002 Additional Information Type: Project Number: 0087-0390 Status: Completed Research Field: Chemical and Biological Hazard Prevention Team: Nicole Goyer (IRSST)Jacques Lesage (IRSST)