A comparison of methods for the determination of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) in air samples

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15298668291409541· OSTI ID:6787290

Rosenberg, C; Pfaffli, P

Three different methods - a high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method, a colorimetric method and a continuous tape monitoring method were used to determine the concentrations of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) in the air of different environments. Isocyanates are widely used as raw material in the production of polyurethane foam insulation, coatings, paints, and elastomers. Comparisons of the methods showed that neither the colorimetric nor the tape monitoring method are sensitive enough to determine trace concentrations of MDI. Tests showed that HPLC is a fairly precise method as to both sampling and analysis. The concentration of MDI in the atmospheres of the studied workplaces were all well below the current threshold limit value of 0.2 mg/m/sup 3/. (JMT)

• Research Organization: Inst. of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
• OSTI ID: 6787290
• Journal Information: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States) Vol. 43:3; ISSN AIHAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102* -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
AEROSOL MONITORING
AIR SAMPLERS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
EQUIPMENT
ISOCYANATES
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
LIQUID COLUMN CHROMATOGRAPHY
MONITORING
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SAMPLERS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPECTROSCOPY
TRACE AMOUNTS