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Cutaneous sensitization to some polyisocyanate prepolymers in guinea pigs
D Zissu1, S Binet, J C Limasset
1Institut National de Recherche et de Securité, Vandoeuvre, France.
Contact Dermatitis
|December 5, 1998
Summary
Polyisocyanates, unlike diisocyanates, have unknown health effects. Guinea pig tests revealed that most polyisocyanates cause dermal sensitization, but IPDI isocyanurate did not, indicating monomer data may not predict prepolymer risk.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Toxicology
- Polymer chemistry
Background:
- Isocyanates are key in polyurethane production.
- Diisocyanate exposure is linked to sensitization; polyisocyanate effects are less understood.
- Current occupational limits focus solely on diisocyanates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate dermal hypersensitivity of polyisocyanate prepolymers.
- To compare sensitization potential between polyisocyanates and their monomer counterparts.
- To inform occupational safety guidelines for isocyanate handling.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the standard Buehler test for predictive dermal sensitization assessment.
- Tested guinea pigs against various polyisocyanate prepolymers including HMDI, TDI, HDI, and IPDI derivatives.
- Documented dermal reactions to determine sensitization outcomes.
Main Results:
- Dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate (HMDI), toluylene 2,4-diisocyanate (TDI), 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) prepolymers induced dermal sensitization.
- TDI adduct triol, TDI isocyanurate, HDI isocyanurate, and HDI biuret also caused dermal sensitization.
- Isophorone diisocyanate isocyanurate (IPDI isocyanurate) was the only tested polyisocyanate that did not induce dermal sensitization.
Conclusions:
- Dermal hypersensitivity reactions to polyisocyanates were largely consistent with their diisocyanate monomers.
- IPDI isocyanurate demonstrated a distinct lack of dermal sensitization compared to its monomer.
- Extrapolating sensitization potential from diisocyanate monomers to polyisocyanate prepolymers may not be reliably predictive.