Common Name: METHYLENE BISPHENYL ISOCYANATE CAS Number: 101-68-8 DOT Number: UN 2489 RTK Substance number: 1253 DOT Hazard Class: 6.1 (Poison) Date: June 1998 Revision: March 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate can affect you when * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely breathed in. evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area * Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate can irritate the skin air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results causing a rash or burning feeling on contact. from your employer. You have a legal right to this * Breathing Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate can irritate information under the OSHA Access to Employee the nose, throat and lungs. Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR * Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate may cause a skin 1910.1020). allergy. If allergy develops, very low future exposure can * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health cause itching and a skin rash. problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. * Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate may cause an asthma- like allergy. Future exposure can cause asthma attacks with shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and/or chest WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS tightness. OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 0.02 ppm, not to be exceeded at any IDENTIFICATION time. Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate is an odorless, white to light-yellow, flake-like solid. It is used to manufacture NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is Polyurethane foams. 0.005 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift and 0.02 ppm, not to be exceeded during any REASON FOR CITATION 10- minute work period. * Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate is on the Hazardous ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited 0.005 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift. by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, DEP, IARC, IRIS and EPA. * Definitions are provided on page 5. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust EXPOSED ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers worn. to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public * Wear protective work clothing. employers to provide their employees with information and * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate and at the end of the federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR workshift. 1910.1200) requires private employers to provide similar * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In training and information to their employees. addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate to potentially exposed workers. METHYLENE BISPHENYL ISOCYANATE page 2 of 6 This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the potential and most severe health hazards that may result from following are recommended: exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful potential effects described below. exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose -------------------------------------------------------------------------- skin allergy. * Chest x-ray and lung function tests. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and Acute Health Effects present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur damage already done are not a substitute for controlling immediately or shortly after exposure to Methylene Bisphenyl exposure. Isocyanate: Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right * Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate can irritate the skin to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee causing a rash or burning feeling on contact. Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020). * Breathing Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. Mixed Exposures * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung Chronic Health Effects cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. some time after exposure to Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will and can last for months or years: reduce your risk of developing health problems. Cancer Hazard Conditions Made Worse By Exposure * While Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate has been tested, it * Persons with asthma may be at increased risk of health is not classifiable as to its potential to cause cancer. effects from exposure to Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate. Reproductive Hazard WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate has not been tested for substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most its ability to affect reproduction. effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at Other Long-Term Effects the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also * Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate may cause a skin allergy. reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is If allergy develops, very low future exposure can cause less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is itching and a skin rash. sometimes necessary. * Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate may cause an asthma- like allergy. Future exposure can cause asthma attacks with In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and/or chest (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the tightness. substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether * Repeated allergic lung attacks may lead to permanent harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis), with reduced should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when lung function. significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. MEDICAL In addition, the following control is recommended: * Where possible, automatically transfer Methylene Medical Testing Bisphenyl Isocyanate from drums or other storage Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, containers to process containers. the following are recommended: Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous * Lung function tests. These may be normal if the person is exposures. The following work practices are recommended: not having an attack at the time of the test. * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate should change into clean clothing promptly. METHYLENE BISPHENYL ISOCYANATE page 3 of 6 * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family Respiratory Protection members could be exposed. IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a individuals who have been informed of the hazards of written program that takes into account workplace conditions, exposure to Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate. requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory work area for emergency use. Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.005 ppm, * On skin contact with Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate, use a NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive- the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that pressure mode. For increased protection use in combination may have contacted Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate, with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus whether or not known skin contact has occurred. operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Methylene Bisphenyl mode. Isocyanate is handled, processed, or stored, since the * Exposure to 7.3 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before health. If the possibility of exposure above 7.3 ppm exists, eating, drinking, applying cosmetics, smoking, or using the use a NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus toilet. with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean- positive-pressure mode. up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. HANDLING AND STORAGE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT * Prior to working with Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN you should be trained on its proper handling