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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: 4,4-Diphenylmethane diisocyanate; MDI; 4,4-Diisocyanadiphenyl-methane; Methylene bis(4-phenylisocyanate); Methylene Bis(Phenyl Isocyanate)

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1073

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 101-68-8

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: NQ9350000; 44210

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: UN2489 Keep Away From Food

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Methylene bisphenyl isocyanate

Chemical Description and Physical Properties:
white to light-yellow flakes; odorless
molecular weight: 250
boiling point: 342°F
vapor pressure: 0.05 mm 0.000005 mmHg @ 77°F
melting point: 99°F
Incompatibilities: Strong alkalies, acids, alcohol

Exposure Limits

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
General Industry: 0.02 ppm, 0.2 mg/m3 Ceiling

Construction Industry: 0.02 ppm, 0.2 mg/m3 Ceiling
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 0.005 ppm, 0.051 mg/m3 TWA

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 0.005 ppm TWA; 0.020 ppm Ceiling (10 min)

Health Factors

Carcinogenic Classification:
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans
Potential Symptoms: Eye, nose, throat irritation; coughing, pulmonary secretions, chest pain, dyspnea, asthma

Health Effects: Asthma (HE9) Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Marked (HE14)

Affected Organs: Respiratory system, eyes

Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SLC1):
  • sampling media: Coated Glass Fiber Filter (37 mm open face) Coated with 1.0 mg 1-(2-Pyridyl)piperazine
    analytical solvent: 90/10 (v/v) Acetonitrile/Dimethyl Sulfoxide
    minimum time: 15 Minutes
    maximum flow rate: 1.0 L/min (Ceiling)
    analytical method 1: High Performance Liquid Chromatography; HPLC/UV/FLU
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 47)
    sampling and analytical error: 0.17
    method classification: Fully Validated
    note: OSHA personnel may obtain coated filter from SLTC and refrigerate until use.
Conditions: Column: Mobile Phase: Detector Wavelength: Detection Limit.

Bulk Method: Limit the amount of bulk submitted to one gram or one mL.

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