Abstract

Isocyanates are known dermal and respiratory chemical irritants and sensitizers. Occupational asthma is associated with overexposure to such substances in the workplace. It is thus important to be able to measure exposure. However, there are analytic challenges in sampling isocyanates because of the reactivity and physical form of the chemical species.

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the collection efficiency of different isocyanate-vapour sampling systems. One goal was to gauge the potential of a personal aerosol sampler (CIP 10), previously adapted to sample 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) aerosols, in vapour-generating isocyanate applications other than MDI foam spraying.

The results should provide clearer indications for selecting the best method for sampling isocyanate vapours depending on the work environment and obtaining more accurate worker exposure estimates.