August 1999 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Hexamethylene Diisocyanate |
(Diisocianato
de Hexametileno) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about hexamethylene diisocyanate. For
more information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center
at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries
about hazardous substances and their health effects. This
information is important because this substance may harm you.
The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend
on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits
and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to hexamethylene
diisocyanate occurs mainly in the workplace, where it
is used as a paint hardener. Hexamethylene diisocyanate
may cause an allergic, asthma-like syndrome, consisting
of coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. This chemical
has been found in none of the 1,445 National Priorities
List sites identified by the Environmental Protection
Agency. |
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What
is hexamethylene diisocyanate? |
Hexamethylene diisocyanate is a pale
yellow liquid with a strong odor. It is an industrial chemical
that is not known to occur naturally. It is also commonly
known as HDI, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,6-diisocyanatohexane,
Mondur HX, and Desmodur H.
Hexamethylene diisocyanate is mainly
used to make polyurethane foams and coatings. It is also used
as a hardener in automobile and airplane paints.
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What
happens to hexamethylene diisocyanate when it enters the environment? |
- Hexamethylene diisocyanate may be found in air near areas
where spray paints containing it as a hardening agent are
applied.
- It does not appear to be transported long distances in
air.
- Hexamethylene diisocyanate does not easily evaporate from
water into air.
- Hexamethylene diisocyanate will break down very quickly
into other chemicals in water and soil.
- It does not build up in the food chain.
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How
might I be exposed to hexamethylene diisocyanate? |
- By spray-painting a car with a paint that contains it
as a hardening agent.
- Working in an industry or business in which hexamethylene
diisocyanate is used.
- Drinking tap water contaminated with it.
- Living near a hazardous waste site where hexamethylene
diisocyanate is disposed of.
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How
can hexamethylene diisocyanate affect my health? |
People exposed to hexamethylene diisocyanate
for a long time (a few months to a few years) have shown an
allergic, asthma-like syndrome. The symptoms consist of shortness
of breath, wheezing, bronchitis, and coughing. These symptoms
are not usually seen when the person is not using a product
that contains hexamethylene diisocyanate, but will start up
again when they begin to use hexamethylene diisocyanate products
again.
Laboratory animals exposed to very high
concentrations of hexamethylene diisocyanate had pneumonia
and difficulty in breathing, and some died. Studies in animals
have also shown that breathing high concentrations can irritate
the eyes, nose, and throat. When placed on the skin of animals,
hexamethylene diisocyanate caused redness, irritation, and
skin damage.
It is not known whether hexamethylene
diisocyanate can affect reproduction in people or animals.
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How
likely is hexamethylene diisocyanate to cause cancer? |
The Department of Health and Human Services,
the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) have not classified hexamethylene
diisocyanate as to its human carcinogenicity.
No carcinogenicity studies are available
in people. An animal study showed no increase in cancer when
rats breathed air containing hexamethylene diisocyanate for
2 years.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to hexamethylene
diisocyanate? |
Tests are available that measure the
antibodies in your blood made by your body after you have
been exposed to hexamethylene diisocyanate. However, there
are problems with these tests: antibodies can react with other
substances that look like hexamethylene diisocyanate in your
blood and indicate that you have been exposed to hexamethylene
diisocyanate when you have not been. In addition, some people
do not develop antibodies to hexamethylene diisocyanate after
they have been exposed.
A test is available that measures hexamethylene
diisocyanate in your urine. However, this test only works
if you were exposed to the chemical within the last 12 to
15 hours. It is not a good test to find out if you have been
exposed to low amounts of hexamethylene diisocyanate over
many months or years.
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
The EPA requires that spills or accidental
releases into the environment of 100 pounds or more of hexamethylene
diisocyanate be reported to the EPA.
The National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health and the American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists recommend that workers should not breathe
air containing more than 0.035 milligrams of hexamethylene
diisocyanate per cubic meter of air (0.035 mg/m³)
during a 10-hour workday, 40-hour workweek.
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Glossary |
Antibodies: Substances produced by the
body to fight agents causing disease.
Carcinogenicity: Ability to cause cancer.
CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service.
Milligram (mg): One thousandth of a gram.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1998. Toxicological Profile for hexamethylene diisocyanate. Atlanta, GA: U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
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