Effects of thermal degradation products from polyurethane foams based on toluene diisocyanate and diphenylmethane diisocyanate on isolated, perfused lung of guinea pig.
OBJECTIVE
The composition of thermal degradation products from two types of polyurethane foams, one based on toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and the other on diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), was analyzed and their toxic lung effects were compared.


METHODS
Isolated perfused lungs of guinea pig were subjected to thermal decomposition products of polyurethane foams from an aerosol generator with compartments for diluting, mixing, and sampling.


RESULTS
Thermal degradation of MDI-based polyurethane foams released MDI, phenyl isocyanate, and methyl isocyanate. The emitted particulate fraction was 75% for MDI, whereas that for TDI from TDI-based polyurethane foam was 3%. Thermal degradation products from MDI-based foam caused a pronounced dose-dependent decrease in the measured lung function parameters (conductance and compliance). In contrast, the thermal degradation products from TDI-based foam did not cause any decrease in lung function.


CONCLUSIONS
Thermal degradation products generated from MDI-based polyurethane foam were more toxic to the lung than those generated from TDI-based polyurethane foam. This difference was probable due to MDI in the particle phase.
Låstbom
Lena
L
Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Division of Inhalation Toxicology, Stockholm, Sweden. lena.lastbom@imm.ki.se
Colmsjö
Anders
A
Johansson
Rolf
R
Karlsson
Daniel
D
Melin
Jens
J
Nordqvist
Yvonne
Y
Skarping
Gunnar
G
D000336:Aerosols; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D002617:Chemical Industry; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006358:Hot Temperature; D017953:Isocyanates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010477:Perfusion; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011336:Probability; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds
D000336:Aerosols; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D017953:Isocyanates; D011140:Polyurethanes; D014051:Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate; C028279:polyurethane foam; C005969:4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds