1. Part 1 – Identification and Health Effects
ISOCYANATES
Part 1 – Identification and Health Effects
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Today we will talk about isocyanates. How to identify products containing isocyanates and the health effects of exposure to isocyanates. ▼

2. Introduction Isocyanates are hardeners or “curing agents”
Part of two-part paint systems
React with other chemicals
Isocyanates are chemicals used as hardeners or curing agents in two-part paint systems. They react with other chemicals to create a hard surface that gives paint durability and flexibility. ▼

3. Where are isocyanates found?
Clear coats
Primers
Sealers
Color
Clear coats used in waterborne systems contain isocyanates!
Isocyanates are found in all two-part clear coats. They may also be present in primers, sealers, and color coats. ▼
Waterborne systems are NOT isocyanate free. Most often, only the color coat is water-based. Clear coat still contains isocyanates. ▼

4. Identifying Isocyanates
Look for “isocyanate” on a product label or Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
A common isocyanate is: hexamethylene diisocyanate
To find out if a product contains isocyanates, look for the word “isocyanate” on a product label or Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
You will notice that the word “isocyanate” may be part of a much longer chemical name.
A common isocyanate is hexamethylene isocyanate. ▼

5. Identify isocyanates in this SDS
DISCUSSION: Looking at his SDS for Chroma Premier System products, can you identify any isocyanates?
----- ▼
This product contains Aliphatic polyisocyanate resin.
Isocyanates do not have a specific smell. The ONLY way to know if you are exposed to isocyanates is by checking the SDS of the products you use! ▼

6. Routes of Exposure & Operations
Mixing paint
Spraying paint
Cleaning spills
Sanding partially cured coats
Removing masking tape, paper, or plastic sheets
Inhalation
Skin contact
Isocyanates enter your body through inhalation and skin contact.
Several operations in the shop generate exposure to isocyanates: ▼
Mixing paint ▼
Spraying paint ▼
Cleaning spills ▼
Sanding partially cured coats ▼
And, Removing masking tape, paper, or plastic sheets ▼

7. Health Effects - Sensitization
Sensitization  Allergy
An allergic reaction is triggered by exposure to very small amounts of isocyanates
Most people cannot go back into collision shops
Isocyanates can cause sensitization. When this happens, an individual becomes unusually susceptible to these chemicals – s/he becomes allergic to isocyanates. ▼
From then on, an allergic reaction in the lungs or to skin can be triggered by exposure to very small amounts of isocyanates. ▼
When this happens, most people cannot go back into collision shops. The only way to prevent an allergic reaction is to STOP further exposure or contact with isocyanates. ▼

8. Health effects - Asthma
Most common type of isocyanate sensitization
Symptoms may include:
Wheezing
Chest tightness
Shortness of breath
Cough especially at night and early morning
Asthma is the most common type of isocyanate sensitization. ▼
Symptoms may include:
Wheezing
Chest tightness
Shortness of breath
And, cough – especially at night and early morning.
CLASS EXERCISE: I would like you to experience what asthma is like, by doing the following exercise:
Take one hand and make a loose fist with the thumb and forefinger closing around your mouth;
Breathe normally;
Now slowly tighten your fist to close the space you breathe through. Notice how hard it is to breathe when the space gets very small. This is how it feels when you have asthma. ▼

9. Your Lungs & Asthma
Here is a comparison between lungs with normal airways and when an asthma attack occurs.
note the airway on the left is wide and open;
the airway on the right is small and closed, making breathing difficult. It feels just like breathing through a tight fist - as you just experienced. ▼

10. Asthma – other causes Epoxy resins Cigarette smoking
Bleach and other cleaners
In addition to exposure to isocyanates, asthma can be caused or aggravated by:
Exposure to epoxy resins
Cigarette smoking
and use of bleach or other cleaners ▼

11. Health effects - other Burning in the nose or throat
Redness and eye irritation
Skin rash
Exposure to isocyanates without wearing proper protective equipment will result in: ▼
A burning sensation in the nose or throat ▼
Redness and eye irritation ▼
and, Skin rash ▼

12. Summary Isocyanates are found in paint systems
Even small exposures can cause sensitization
Sensitization to isocyanates is permanent
You may not be able to return to work in a collision shop
Asthma is the most common type of isocyanate sensitization
In summary: ▼
Isocyanates are found in paint systems ▼
Even small exposures can cause sensitization
Sensitization to isocyanates is permanent
You may not be able to return to work in a collision shop ▼
Asthma is the most common type of isocyanate sensitization ▼

13. Questions?
Do you have any questions? ▼

14. End of Part 1 Identification and Health Effects
This is the end of Part 1 of the Isocyanates module.
In Part 2 you will learn about how to control exposure to isocyanates and how to protect yourself.