MDI Exposure for Spray-On Truck Bed Lining. 2003

Don J Lofgren, and Terry L Walley, and Phillip M Peters, and Marty L Weis
WISHA Services, Department of Labor and Industries, State of Washington, Tacoma, WA, USA.

Worker exposure to MDI (methylenediphenyl isocyanate) in the sprayed-on truck bed lining industry was assessed by examining Washington State OSHA inspection files and industrial insurance records. The industry uses MDI to form a protective urethane coating on pick-up truck beds. The lining is applied by a worker using a handheld spray gun with application equipment at temperatures and pressures specified by the urethane supplier. Inspections with MDI sampling were initially identified by searching the agency's laboratory database and were further screened for the targeted process. Data for 13 employers was found and extracted from the inspection records. All were small companies with only 1 to 2 workers exposed to MDI; 10 of the 13 employers had started the bed lining service within the last 4 years. The process was found in truck bed lining specialty shops as well as in other truck-related businesses. Six different urethane products were used with reported MDI monomer concentrations of up to 75 percent along with varying concentrations of MDI pre-polymers and other reactants and solvents. Sampling for MDI by inspectors found 7 worksites with worker exposure in excess of the state and OSHA ceiling limit of 0.200 mg/M(3). Deficiencies in respirator programs and engineering controls for MDI were cited. A review of the industrial insurance records found a total of five MDI-related claims at 4 inspected worksites, two for new-onset asthma. It was concluded that workers in the urethane sprayed-on truck bed lining industry are at an increased risk of developing illnesses associated with isocyanate exposure. Interventions are needed to further assess the hazard as well as motivate and assist franchisers, distributors, and retailers to implement effective engineering controls and respiratory protection programs in this nationally emerging small employer industry.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
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
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000336 Aerosols Colloids with a gaseous dispersing phase and either liquid (fog) or solid (smoke) dispersed phase; used in fumigation or in inhalation therapy; may contain propellant agents. Aerosol
D014481 United States A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D014489 United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration An office in the Department of Labor responsible for developing and establishing occupational safety and health standards. OSHA,Occupational Safety and Health Administration (U.S.),Occupational Safety and Health Administration,Occupational Safety, Health Administration, United States,United States Occupational Health Administration,United States Occupational Safety Administration,United States Occupational Safety, Health Administration
D014861 Washington State bounded by on the north by Canada, on the east by Idaho, on the south by Oregon, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.
D015386 Hazardous Substances Elements, compounds, mixtures, or solutions that are considered severely harmful to human health and the environment. They include substances that are toxic, corrosive, flammable, or explosive. Biohazard,Hazardous Chemical,Hazardous Chemicals,Hazardous Material,Hazardous Materials,Hazardous Substance,Toxic Environmental Substance,Toxic Substances, Environmental,Biohazards,Chemicals, Hazardous,Environmental Substances, Toxic,Toxic Environmental Substances,Chemical, Hazardous,Environmental Substance, Toxic,Environmental Toxic Substances,Material, Hazardous,Materials, Hazardous,Substance, Hazardous,Substance, Toxic Environmental,Substances, Environmental Toxic,Substances, Hazardous,Substances, Toxic Environmental
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
D017953 Isocyanates Organic compounds that contain the -NCO radical. Isocyanate
D018986 Motor Vehicles AUTOMOBILES, trucks, buses, or similar engine-driven conveyances. (From Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed) Armored Vehicles,Tanks,Buses,Trucks,Armored Vehicle,Motor Vehicle,Tank,Truck,Vehicle, Armored,Vehicle, Motor,Vehicles, Armored,Vehicles, Motor

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