SPRAY POLYURETHANE FOAM (SPF) AND ISOCYANATES. HAVE YOU BEEN WARNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS?

SPRAY POLYURETHANE FOAM (SPF) AND ISOCYANATES.  HAVE YOU BEEN WARNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS?

We provided in the link below a background information on the actual and potential risks posed by the isocyanates.  The federal government and some states have started looking into these asthma and contact dermatitis and opther health effects a bit more seriously.  It was about time, as these chemicals need closer scrutiny.  Unfortunately, humans will try to take advantage of other humans in moments of economic crises and try to push their agendas or products.  This is the situation with SPF that was approved by Congress in 2009 to make homes more energy efficient – same situation with fracking:  destroying the landscape without understanding the long-term effects in the name of jobs and lower energy costs.   

Now we find out (as we have expected) that there are severe repercussions for applying these chemicals inside our homes and businesses without adequate warnings or precautions.  Did we learn enough from the health risks posed by PCBs and TCE and PCE and Chlordane and DDT and so on?  We do not believe so.  Now the chemists have replaced these banned chemicals with more chemicals.  As we reported in an earlier blog, there are 4,000 or so chemicals being developed on a daily basis. 

http://metroforensics.blogspot.com/2014/10/green-industry-hazards-insulation-or.html

In March 2014, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) caused a minor uproar within the SPF industry by listing spray polyurethane foam as one of three materials included in a draft of the initial Priority Products List. The DTSC, which functions under the California Environmental Protection Agency, has developed the Priority Products List in compliance with its Safer Consumer Products Program.

Here is what the U.S. EPA and other State Agencies are looking to accomplish:

• Accurate and comprehensive hazard communication throughout the product value chain, for workers and consumers.

• Accurate marketing claims.

• Best Practices as standard operating procedures to prevent exposures to isocyanates and other chemicals.

• Accurate exposure assessment of different types of applications & product formulations

• Measuring totalisocyanates

• Safe re-entry time –Duration of time after which occupants, residents, and school children can safely re-enter the premises after SPFI application 

We do know that Spray Polyurethane Foam has energy saving attributes, including:

·         High R-value -thermal break

·         Moisture barrier (closed cell)

·         Fills gaps and crevices

·         Stops air infiltration

Why is this Isocyanate Issue Important?

·         One of fastest growing products in building and construction.

·         Widely used as an insulation and sealant material for weatherization.

·         Contains toxic chemicals that when reacted on-site can create potential eye, skin, and inhalation exposures to anyone not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

·         Many applicators, helpers, consumers, do-it-yourselfers (often homeowners), and other decision makers are unaware of the potential hazards from inhalation, skin and eye exposures.

·         SPFI component chemicals can migrate to other areas of the building.

·         Homeowners have complained of off-gassing and ill effects and some have had to vacate their homes.

·         Some marketing information is misleading –focuses on “green” aspects and does not address potential hazards.

·         Often, material safety data sheets (MSDS) do not contain consistent health and safety information.

·         There have been reports of home fires linked to commercially available spray-foam installation (currently under investigation) or demolition.

·         SPF application presents the same hazards as spray-on truck bed liner operations (see NIOSH ALERT) and requires the same level of protection.

·         Product composition, applicator technique, accurate proportioning of SPF components, temperature, and humidity are important factors that impact quality of foam, curing time and potential exposures to SPF chemicals.

·         Often persons not wearing prescribed personal protective equipment are in or near the work site.

·         It is difficult to find reliable guidance on re-entry times.

SPF Chemical Composition

Side A –Isocyanates

·         Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and pMDI

·         MDI –based isocyanates(varying species)

Side B –PolyolBlend(variable/proprietary)

·         Polyols(certain % bio-based)

·         Flame retardants

·         Blowing agents

·         Amine or metal catalysts

·         Surfactants

The combination of chemicals A and B on-site, produces the foam.

A + B  = POLYURETHANE FOAM

Side A -Concerns

Health concerns for isocyanates:

Lung and skin sensitizers.

·         Leading attributable cause of work-related asthma.

·         Can trigger severe or fatal asthma attacks in sensitized persons upon further exposure, even at very low levels. [NIOSH Alerts in 1996 and 2006 to prevent asthma and death in workers exposed to isocyanates]

·         MDI is a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act.

·         The European Union has issued regulations to prevent exposures to MDI in consumer products. http://www.isopa.org/isopa/uploads/Documents/documents/2009-02-16_MDI_EU_legal_Marketing_and_Use_Restr.pdf

Side B –Concerns

·         Amines (catalysts) are irritants and can cause blurry vision (halo effect).

·         Some flame retardants are considered persistent, bioaccumulative, and/or toxic.

·         Some blowing agents may contribute to global warming or have health effects.

·         Often chemical identities are claimed confidential so it is difficult to evaluate toxicity.

Other Considerations

·         Long term stability of polyurethane foam:Fully cured polyurethane foam is not considered a problem unless disturbed.

·         Heating, welding, or grinding generates free isocyanates and other hazards.

·         Fires and thermal degradation can generate and release isocyanates, hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, and amines.

·         Reports of fires linked to SPF installation

·         Some marketing claims are misleading:“no off-gassing,” “non-toxic” and “safe”

·         “green” and “environmentally friendly”

·         “plant-based” and “made from soy beans”

·         Labels may not provide information on toxic chemicals in the product and overlook important safety information.

Exposures -Spray Application

·         Generates vapor, mist, and particulates exceeding occupational exposure limits.

·         Isocyanates & amines can migrate to other rooms or floors.

Exposures –Trimming Foam

·         Trimming, cutting, or scraping foam that is not fully cured generates dust, particles that may contain isocyanates and other unreacted SPF chemicals.

Exposures -Consumers & Do-It-Yourselfers

·         Consumers, a growing market of Do-it-Yourself applicators, are using one-component cansor two-component kitsfor sealing cracks, as insulation, or creative arts.

·         Users are often unaware of the hazards and the need to prevent skin, eye and inhalation exposures, and the proper type of protection to use.

SPF Research Priorities

·         Validation of a standard test method to measure total reactive isocyanates.

·         Monitoring and product analysis to determine worker and consumer exposures to a variety of SPF products.

·         Evaluating SPF curing times and determining safe re-entry as related to:

o   Effects of SPF composition, temperature, applicator technique, and proportioning and mixing on curing

o   Presence of unreacted isocyanates on dust particles after cutting.

o   Replicating real-life conditions to explore ventilation and containment strategies.

o   Understanding the relationship between dermal exposures to isocyanateand sensitization/ asthma.

o   Assessing long-term stability of SPF, including during thermal degradation and deconstruction.

o   Supporting development of accurate biomonitoring of isocyanate exposures and biomarkers for isocyanate sensitization.

o   Product Emission Testing

o   Worker Exposure Monitoring

SPF Research Projects –In Progress

·         Total Isocyanate Monitoring Method (NIOSH)

·         Draft Ventilation Guidance for SPF Application (EPA)

·         Trimming/Dust study (Industry -CPI)

·         Ventilation Study (Industry –CPI)

·         ASTM WK 30960 -New Practice for determination of volatile organic compounds, diisocyanates, oligomericisocyanates, and amine catalysts emitted from spray polyurethane foam insulation (SPFI) products designed for on-site application in buildings

·         International Conference on Isocyanates& Health (early planning stages)

EPA Action Plan for MDI

·         EPA released an Action Plan for MDI in April 2011

·         Focus is on potential health risks to self-employed workers and consumers from products containing MDI and related compounds.

·         Actions identified:

o   Data call-in for past allegations of significant adverse health effects [TSCA Section 8(c)]

o   Obtaining unpublished health and safety data from industry sources [TSCA Section 8(d)]

o   Requiring exposure monitoring studies for consumer products containing uncured MDI [TSCA Section 4]

o   Potentially banning or restricting consumer products containing uncured MDI [TSCA Section 6].

o   Cooperative and voluntary actions that promote product stewardship and research; e.g., collaboration with other agencies and the industry via the SPF workgroup

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