The determination of the ability of polyurethane foam to release toluene diisocyanate into air. 2000

J M Hugo, and M W Spence, and T D Lickly
Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan, USA.

A study was conducted to assess the ability of polyurethane foam to release toluene diisocyanate (TDI) into the air. The study was completed in two phases. In the first phase, three-day post-production foam samples were "extracted" using 37 degrees C, 30 percent relative humidity air for a total of three days. In the second phase, foam samples were "loaded" with TDI (approximately 1 ppm (w/w) in the foam) by passing air containing a controlled level of TDI vapor through the foam. The "loaded" foam was then aged for three days (to simulate minimum possible expected time between production and consumer contact) before being extracted for three days using 37 degrees C, 30 percent relative humidity air. In both phases of the study, the extracted TDI was quantified by trapping it from the air using glass-fiber filters coated with 1,(2-pyridyl)piperazine (PP) derivatizing agent (modified OSHA Method 42) then analyzing the TDI derivative formed using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Validation of the test system was conducted using diffusion-tube-generated TDI atmospheres. Results of the Phase 1 portion of the study showed no quantifiable TDI being extracted from the three-day post-production commercial foam samples at a limit of quantitation of approximately 0.1 ppb TDI in air. Results of the Phase 2 portion of the study showed no quantifiable TDI being extracted from the "loaded" foams at a limit of quantitation of 0.12 microgram TDI (less than 0.03% of the level of TDI loaded into the foams). In conclusion, the results from this study indicate that it is not likely that TDI would be released from three-day post-production polyurethane foams in amounts likely to produce air concentrations of concern.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008851 Micropore Filters A membrane or barrier with micrometer sized pores used for separation purification processes. Millipore Filters,Filter, Micropore,Filter, Millipore,Filters, Micropore,Filters, Millipore,Micropore Filter,Millipore Filter
D011140 Polyurethanes A group of thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers containing polyisocyanate. They are used as ELASTOMERS, as coatings, as fibers and as foams. Polyisocyanates,Ostamer,Pellethane,Spandex,Ostamers,Pellethanes,Polyisocyanate,Polyurethane,Spandices
D004784 Environmental Monitoring The monitoring of the level of toxins, chemical pollutants, microbial contaminants, or other harmful substances in the environment (soil, air, and water), workplace, or in the bodies of people and animals present in that environment. Monitoring, Environmental,Environmental Surveillance,Surveillance, Environmental
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000395 Air Pollutants, Occupational Toxic air-borne matter related to work performed They are usually produced by the specific nature of the occupation. Occupational Air Pollutants,Pollutants, Occupational Air
D012680 Sensitivity and Specificity Binary classification measures to assess test results. Sensitivity or recall rate is the proportion of true positives. Specificity is the probability of correctly determining the absence of a condition. (From Last, Dictionary of Epidemiology, 2d ed) Specificity,Sensitivity,Specificity and Sensitivity
D014051 Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate Skin irritant and allergen used in the manufacture of polyurethane foams and other elastomers. Diisocyanatotoluene,Tolylene Diisocyanate,2,4-Toluenediisocyanate,Toluene Diisocyanate,2,4 Toluenediisocyanate,2,4-Diisocyanate, Toluene,Diisocyanate, Toluene,Diisocyanate, Tolylene,Toluene 2,4 Diisocyanate
D014835 Volatilization A phase transition from liquid state to gas state, which is affected by Raoult's law. It can be accomplished by fractional distillation. Vaporization,Volatility
D016273 Occupational Exposure The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents that occurs as a result of one's occupation. Exposure, Occupational,Exposures, Occupational,Occupational Exposures

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