Issue 7, 2005
From the journal:

Journal of Environmental Monitoring

A laboratory investigation of the effectiveness of various skin and surface decontaminants for aliphatic polyisocyanates†‡

Dhimiter Bello,ad   Susan R. Woskie,a   Robert P. Streicher,b   Meredith H. Stowe,c   Judy Sparer,c   Carrie A. Redlich,c   Mark R. Cullenc  and  Youcheng Liuc  

a University of Massachusetts Lowell, Work Environment Department, KI 200, One University Ave., Lowell, USA

b National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Applied Research and Technology, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, USA

c Yale University School of Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program, 135 College Street, New Haven, USA

d Harvard School of Public Health, Exposure, Epidemiology & Risk Program, Landmark Center, West/404F, 401 Park Drive, Boston, USA
E-mail: dbello@hsph.harvard.edu
Fax: 617 384 8859
Tel: 617 384 8809

Abstract

Isocyanates may cause contact dermatitis and respiratory sensitization leading to asthma. Dermal exposure to aliphatic isocyanates in auto body shops is very common. However, little is known about the effectiveness of available commercial products used for decontaminating aliphatic polyisocyanates. This experimental study evaluated the decontamination effectiveness of aliphatic polyisocyanates for several skin and surface decontaminants available for use in the auto body industry. The efficiency of two major decontamination mechanisms, namely (i) consumption of free isocyanate groups via chemical reactions with active hydrogen components of the decontaminant and (ii) physical removal processes such as dissolution were studied separately for each decontaminant. Considerable differences were observed among surface decontaminants in their rate of isocyanate consumption, of which those containing free amine groups performed the best. Overall, Pine-Sol® MEA containing monoethanolamine was the most efficient surface decontaminant, operating primarily via chemical reaction with the isocyanate group. Polypropylene glycol (PPG) had the highest physical removal efficiency and the lowest reaction rate with isocyanates. All tested skin decontaminants performed similarly, accomplishing decontamination primarily via physical processes and removing 70–80% of isocyanates in one wiping. Limitations of these skin decontaminants are discussed and alternatives presented. In vitro testing using animal skins and in vivo testing with field workers are being conducted to further assess the efficiency and identify related determinants.

Graphical abstract: A laboratory investigation of the effectiveness of various skin and surface decontaminants for aliphatic polyisocyanates

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Article information

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1039/B503807C
Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 Mar 2005
Accepted
18 Apr 2005
First published
18 May 2005

J. Environ. Monit., 2005,7, 716-721

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A laboratory investigation of the effectiveness of various skin and surface decontaminants for aliphatic polyisocyanates

D. Bello, S. R. Woskie, R. P. Streicher, M. H. Stowe, J. Sparer, C. A. Redlich, M. R. Cullen and Y. Liu, J. Environ. Monit., 2005, 7, 716 DOI: 10.1039/B503807C

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