The IRSST just published a guide for safe use of isocyanates. The guide is intended for anyone working in the field of occupational health and safety. It is designed to educate, inform and raise awareness, and has no regulatory value. Readers will come to understand the chemical hazards associated with isocyanates and will be able to make informed decisions about ways to reduce exposure and possibly the incidence of occupational asthma. The guide is not a substitute for the information contained in Material Safety Data Sheets.
Isocyanates are a family of highly reactive, low molecular weight chemicals. They are widely used in the manufacture of foams, fibers, paints and varnishes, elastomers, etc. Moreover, isocyanates are increasingly used in the automobile industry, autobody repair, and building insulation materials.
Preventing exposure to isocyanates is a critical step in eliminating the health hazard. However, because of the wide range of isocyanates present in industry, and because their physical and chemical properties and the polymerization processes are so diverse, environmental assessment of exposure remains a challenge; hence the importance of an approach starting with anticipation (gathering of information on isocyanates) and ending with the implementation of controls and of means for evaluating the efficiency of those controls. In all cases, anticipation of the physical form of airborne isocyanates contributes to a full evaluation and implementation of effective control measures.
To download the document, please visit: http://www.irsst.qc.ca/en/-irsst-publication-guide-for-safe-use-of-isocyanates-an-industrial-hygiene-approach-rg-773.html