ASTM D5836-03

Diisocyanates are used in the production of polyurethane foams, plastics, elastomers, surface coatings, and adhesives (5,6). It has been estimated that the production of TDI will steadily increase during the future years.

Diisocyanates are irritants to eyes, skin, and mucous membrane and are respiratory sensitizers. Chronic exposure to low concentrations of diisocyanates produces an allergic sensitization which may progress into asthmatic bronchitis (7,8).

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a permissible exposure limit for 2,4-TDI of 0.02 ppm or 0.14 mg/m³ as a ceiling limit (9). The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 0.005 ppm or 0.036 mg/m³ and a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 0.02 ppm or 0.14 mg/m³ (10). No exposure limits have been established for 2,6-TDI.

This proposed test method has been found satisfactory for measuring 2,4 and 2,6-TDI levels in the workplace.

1.1 This test method describes the determination of 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (2,4-TDI) and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (2,6-TDI) in air samples collected from workplace atmospheres in a cassette containing a glass-fiber filter impregnated with 1-(2-pyridyl)piperazine (1-2 PP). This procedure is very effective for determining the vapor content of atmospheres. Atmospheres containing aerosols may produce low results.

1.2 This test method uses a high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) equipped with a fluorescence or an ultraviolet (UV) detector (1-4).

1.3 The validated range of the test method, as written, is from 1.4 to 5.6 [mu]g of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI which is equivalent to approximately 9.8 to 39 ppb for 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI based on a 20-L air sample. The HPLC method using an UV detector is capable of detecting 0.078 [mu]g of 2,4-TDI and 0.068 [mu]g of 2,6-TDI in a 4.0-mL solvent volume, which is equivalent to 0.55 ppb for 2,4-TDI and 0.48 ppb for 2,6-TDI based on a 20-L air sample.

1.4 The isomers of 2,4-TDI, and 2,6-TDI, can be separated utilizing a reversed phase column for the HPLC method. Because industrial applications employ an isomeric mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-TDI, the ability to achieve this separation is important.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 9 for specific precautions.