Agent Name |
Methylene bisphenyl isocyanate |
Alternative Name |
MDI |
CAS Number |
101-68-8 |
Formula |
C15-H10-N2-O2 |
Major Category |
Plastics & Rubber |
Synonyms |
1,1'-Methylenebis(4-isocyanatobenzene); 4,4'-Diisocyanatodiphenylmethane; 4,4'-Diphenylmethane diisocyanate; 4,4'-Diphenylmethanediisocyante; 4,4'-Methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate); 4,4'-Methylenedi-p-phenylene diisocyanate; 4,4'-Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate; 4,4'-Methylenediphenyl isocyanate; 4,4'-Methylenediphenylene isocyanate; 4-4'-Diisocyanate de diphenylmethane [French]; Benzene, 1,1'-methylenebis(4-isocyanato-; Bis(1,4-isocyanatophenyl)methane; Bis(4-isocyanatophenyl)methane; Bis(p-isocyanatophenyl)methane; Bis(para-isocyanatophenyl)methane; Caradate 30; Desmodur 44; Di-(4-isocyanatophenyl)methane; Difenil-metan-diisocianato [Italian]; Difenylmethaan-dissocyanaat [Dutch]; Diphenyl methane diisocyanate; Diphenylmethan-4,4'-diisocyanat [German]; Diphenylmethane diisocyanate; Diphenylmethyl diisocyanate; Hylene M50; Isocyanic acid, ester with diphenylmethane; Isocyanic acid, methylenedi-p-phenylene ester; Isonate; Isonate 125 MF; Isonate 125M; MDI; MDR; Methylbisphenyl isocyanate; Methylene di-p-phenylene isocyanate; Methylenebis(4-isocyanatobenzene); Methylenebis(4-phenyl isocyanate); Methylenebis(4-phenylene isocyanate); Methylenebis(p-phenyl isocyanate); Methylenebis(p-phenylene isocyanate); Methylenebis(para-phenyl isocyanate); Methylenebis(para-phenylene isocyanate); Methylenedi-p-phenylene diisocyanate; Methylenedi-para-phenylene diisocyanate; Nacconate 300; Rubinate 44; p,p'-Diphenylmethane diisocyanate; p,p'-Methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate); para,para'-Diphenylmethane diisocyanate; para,para'-Methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate); [ChemIDplus] |
Category |
Diisocyanates |
Description |
White to light-yellow, odorless flakes. [Note: A liquid above 99 degrees F.]; [NIOSH] |
Sources/Uses |
Pattern of use in 1974: coatings (28%); elastomers (22%); thermoplastic resins (22%); spandex fibers (19%); millable gums (9%); [HSDB] Occupational asthma reported in foundry; [Malo] Allergic contact dermatitis in shoemakers and other workers using glues; [Marks] Used in spray-on truck bed liners; [Reference #2] |
Comments |
Solid form can cause reddening of skin if left on clothes. [CHRIS] Cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (TDI HP and MDI HP) have been reported. [Rom, p. 388-90] "Tear drawing." Can cause skin sensitization and asthma; [ICSC] |
Reference Link |
Pulmonary and immunologic evaluation of foundry workers exposed to methylene diphenyldiisocyanate (MDI). |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
TLV (ACGIH) |
0.05 mg/m3 |
PEL (OSHA) | Ceiling(OSHA) = 0.2 mg/m3 |
MAK |
0.05 mg/m3, inhalable fraction |
IDLH (NIOSH) | 7 ppm |
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on an analogy with toluene diisocyanate, which has an IDLH of 10 ppm. [Note: A concentration of 10 ppm methylene bisphenyl isocyanate is equivalent to about 100 mg/m3.] |
Vapor Pressure |
5 x 10 -06 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
0.39 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 369 mg/m3/4H |
Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold from AIHA; |
Reference Link |
Asthma death after spraying polyurethane truck bed...[Am J Ind Med. 2005] - PubMed Result |
Flammability (NFPA) |
1: must be preheated |
Adverse Effects |
Asthma |
Yes |
Fibrogenic |
Yes |
Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
Skin Sensitizer |
Yes |
Lacrimator |
Yes |
IARC Carcinogen |
Not Classifiable |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: METHYLENEBIS(4-PHENYLISOCYANATE)
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