POLYMETHYLENE POLYPHENYLISOCYANATE

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency overview Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin. CONTAINS DIPHENYLMETHANE DIISOCYANATE (CAS No. 101-68-8). INHALATION OF MDI MISTS OR VAPORS MAY CAUSE RESPIRATORY IRRITATION, BREATHLESSNESS, CHEST DISCOMFORT AND REDUCED PULMONARY FUNCTION. OVEREXPOSURE WELL ABOVE THE PEL MAY RESULT IN BRONCHITIS, BRONCHIAL SPASMS AND PULMONARY EDEMA. LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO ISOCYANATES HAS BEEN HAS BEEN REPORTED TO CAUSE LUNG DAMAGE, INCLUDING REDUCED LUNG FUNCTION WHICH MAY BE PERMANENT. ACUTE OR CHRONIC OVEREXPOSURE TO ISOCYANATES MAY CAUSE SENSITIZATION IN SOME INDIVIDUALS, RESULTING IN ALLERGIC RESPIRATORY REACTIONS INCLUDING WHEEZING, SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND DIFFICULTY BREATHING. May cause sensitization by inhalation. State of matter: liquid Colour: dark amber Odour: faint odour, aromatic

Potential health effects

Acute toxicity: Of moderate toxicity after short-term inhalation. Virtually nontoxic after a single ingestion. Virtually nontoxic after a single skin contact. Inhalation of vapours may cause irritation of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat or trachea, breathlessness, chest discomfort, difficult breathing and reduced pulmonary function. Inhalation exposure well above the PEL may result additionally in eye irritation, headache, chemical bronchitis, asthma-like findings or pulmonary edema. Isocyanates have also been reported to cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which is characterized by flu-like symptoms, the onset of which may be delayed. Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Irritation / corrosion: Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin. Assessment other acute effects: Causes temporary irritation of the respiratory tract. Sensitization: The substance may cause sensitization of the respiratory tract. Sensitization after skin contact possible. Studies in animals suggest that dermal exposure may lead to pulmonary sensitization. However, the relevance of this result for humans is unclear. As a result of previous repeated overexposures or a single large dose, certain individuals will develop isocyanate sensitization (chemical asthma) which will cause them to react to a later exposure to isocyanate at levels well below the PEL/TLV. These symptoms, which include chest tightness, wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, or asthmatic attack, could be immediate or delayed up to several hours after exposure. Similar to many non-specific asthmatic responses, there are reports that once sensitized an individual can experience these symptoms upon exposure to dust, cold air, or other irritants. This increased lung sensitivity can persist for weeks and in severe cases for several years. Chronic overexposure to isocyanates has also been reported to cause lung damage, including a decrease in lung function, which may be permanent. Prolonged contact can cause reddening, swelling, rash, scaling, or blistering. In those who have developed a skin sensitization, these symptoms can develop as a result of contact with very small amounts of liquid material, or even as a result of vapour-only exposure. Chronic toxicity: Carcinogenicity: A carcinogenic potential cannot be excluded after prolonged exposure to severely irritating concentrations. These effects are not relevant to humans at occupational levels of exposure. Repeated dose toxicity: The substance may cause damage to the olfactory epithelium after repeated inhalation. These effects are not relevant to humans at occupational levels of exposure. Reproductive toxicity: Repeated inhalative uptake of the substance did not cause damage to the reproductive organs.

Teratogenic Effects

The substance did not cause malformations in animal studies; however, toxicity to development was observed at high doses that were toxic to the parental animals. Genotoxicity: The substance was mutagenic in various bacterial test systems; however, these results could not be confirmed in tests with mammals.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

overexposure The isocyanate component is a respiratory sensitizer. It may cause allergic reaction leading to asthma-like spasms of the bronchial tubes and difficulty in breathing. Persons with asthmatic conditions, chronic bronchitis, other chronic respiratory diseases, recurrent eczema or pulmonary sensitization should be excluded from working with isocyanates. Once a person is diagnosed as having pulmonary sensitization (allergic asthma) to isocyanates, further exposure is not recommended. An animal study indicated that MDI may induce respiratory hypersensitivity following dermal exposure. Signs and symptoms of overexposure: Eye irritation, skin irritation, allergic symptoms Symptoms can appear later. Information on: MDI In sensitized individuals, sensitization reactions may be elicited by structurally similar substances. Respiratory sensitization may result in allergic (asthma-like) signs in the lower respiratory tract including wheezing, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, the onset of which may be delayed. Repeated inhalation of high concentrations may cause lung damage, including reduced lung function, which may be permanent. Substances eliciting lower respiratory tract irritation may worsen the asthma-like reactions that may be produced by product exposures. ----------------------------------

Environmental effects

Aquatic toxicity: The product may hydrolyse. The test result maybe partially due to degradation products. The product has not been tested. The statement has been derived from substances/products of a similar structure or composition.