Isocyanates

Isocyanates are used in certain two-pack paint systems and polyurethane systems as a hardener. Isocyanates are hazardous to health and cause occupational asthma and respiratory sensitisation. They are well known respiratory sensitisers and exposure to them can ruin lives.

Isocyanate can cause asthma by inhalation

• Control exposure to stop occupational asthma developing.
• Even short-term exposures can cause harm.
• If an individual does develop occupational asthma, avoid further exposure.
• Isocyanate can cause dermatitis by skin contact.
• There is no evidence for cancer from isocyanate in paints.

With continued exposure to isocyanates, the asthma can become permanent and severe and there is no cure. Breathing in the smallest amount of isocyanate could then trigger an attack.  In most instances, the sufferer would have to give up their job and move to a different industry. Early symptoms include one or more of the following:

• recurring blocked or runny nose
• recurring sore or watering eyes
• chest tightness, often occurring outside working hours
• persistent cough
• flu-like shivers
• wheezing
• breathlessness

If you are working with isocyanates, then you need to assess the risks and ensure that suitable control measures are in place.

• Carry out a COSHH Assessment (you may need some assistance with this)
• Implement the recommendations of the COSHH Assessment
• Provide training and instruction to workers
• Provide and maintain suitable extraction equipment, PPE, etc as required by the COSHH Assessment
• Carry out workplace exposure monitoring
• Undertake health surveillance
• Seek professional, competent advice

Need help with the COSHH Assessment?

We can assist you with the COSHH Assessment and we can also organise air sampling, if that is required. We can also give you information and guidance about the Health Surveillance requirements.

Contact us to discuss your needs.

HSE reports on a case where two workers were sensitised to isocyanates

The two workers were from an electroplating factory and had symptoms that suggested occupational asthma. This diagnosis was then confirmed by lung function tests in the workplace. At this stage, the  the cause was unknown.

During a workplace investigation, a review of the safety data sheet highlighted that there was a lacquer in which which contained isocyanates. This lacquer was used to coat the silver-plated goods and then cured in an oven.

A subsequent HSE confirmed that isocyanates were being used, and the employer was exceeding the workplace exposure limits (WEL). Some simple and cheap testing with smoke tubes showed that contaminated air from the curing ovens was reaching the workers.

Following this, the company fume extraction, which dramatically reduced the levels of isocyanates in the working environment.

The fate of the two workers
One of the workers took early retirement on medical grounds, with compensation for occupational asthma due to isocyanates. The second worker had to change employment and applied for compensation.