Isocyanates

They are not visible and they have no odour, but they are detectable. Isocyanates are a hardener that, when heated and inhaled, causes irritation of the airways, nasal congestion, runny nose, dry cough, eye irritation and headaches. Exposure may also cause impaired lung function or asthma, and direct contact with isocyanates may cause skin rash. You can't determine by smell alone whether you've been exposed to isocyanates, but you can protect yourself with the right equipment and quality prevention work.

Active protection against isocyanates

Protection against slipping and tripping is based on factors such as:

Act instead of reacting
If it is not possible to avoid working in environments where isocyanates are released, a risk assessment must be performed. This forms the basis for determining which protective equipment is to be used.

Personal Protective Equipment
Supplied air respirators provide the best protection, but other respirators with particle and gas filters can also be used, depending on the work situation. Make sure that respiratory protection equipment is tested by the person using it.

Safety shields
Not all iscocyanates are released into the air. If there is a risk of skin exposure, chemical resistant-gloves, apron or disposable full-body coverall must be worn.

Protective equipment against isocyanates

Here you will find products that protect you against isocyanates.

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What are isocyanates?

A hardener that can be found in adhesives, varnishes and various polyurethane-based (PU) sealants.

What risks are associated with isocyanates?

When materials containing isocyanates are heated, thermal degradation takes place, resulting in harmful substances being released into the air as smoke or vapors that may contain isocyanates. Inhaling isocyanates can cause impaired lung function or asthma. Irritation of the airways, nasal congestion, runny nose, dry cough, eye irritation and headaches are symptoms that indicate exposure. Eczema and skin rashes may occur on direct contact.

Where and when is there a risk of isocyanates?

The handling of isocyanates and the production or hardening of PUR takes place not only in companies that produce plastic parts, but in many different types of workplaces. Welding, cutting or soldering in PUR-based lacquers are some examples of work where isocyanates can form. Isocyanates can be volatile and evaporate at room temperature. Involatile isocyanates are more common and spread, for example, when spray painting or if they are heated and evaporated.

How to protect yourself against isocyanates

If exposure to isocyanates cannot be avoided by technical or other means, a risk assessment must provide information on when and what PPE is required.

It is impossible to determine by smell alone whether isocyanates are present in the air, so respiratory protection should always be used if isocyanates are present in the air as vapours, fumes or aerosols. Supplied air respirators provide the best protection, but other respirators with particle and gas filters can also be used, depending on the work situation.

Procedures for how to fit, clean and store respirators are also needed. Read more at: www.andningsskydd.nu.

If there is a risk of skin exposure, the skin must be protected with chemical-resistant gloves and other protective equipment if necessary, such as an apron or as a disposable full-body coverall when spray painting.

What is the employer’s responsibility?

Risk assessments must always be performed in accordance with the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s regulations on chemical hazards in the working environment (AFS 2014:43).

Before working with isocyanates, a thorough risk assessment and written documentation of the following are required:

Where and when there is a risk of isocyanate exposure through inhalation or skin contact. Investigate whether there is a risk of isocyanates forming during hot work.
What protective measures should be taken to ensure that exposure is as low as possible.
Work operations where personal protective equipment is required and what is to be used.
How contaminated work equipment and personal protective equipment should be handled in a safe manner.
How work equipment and ventilation are to be checked and maintained.