polyurethane foam toxicity

TRH wrote the fire toxicity section of the manuscript. 2007). The applied heat flux must be large enough for burning to continue at oxygen concentrations as low as 5 %. In terms of hazard, carbon monoxide (CO) is typically the most abundant toxicant in fires under almost all combustion conditions. While limited data were available regarding the flaming combustion of rigid polyurethane foams, the results were of a similar scale to those presented by Stec and Hull (2011). The toxic product generation during flaming combustion of polyurethane foams is reviewed, in order to relate the yields of toxic products and the overall fire toxicity to the fire conditions. The authors presented a large set of data for all of the test methods, including a range of test conditions, air flow rates, oxygen concentration, and mass loadings. the sum of each of the concentrations multiplied by the exposure time, for each product; upper respiratory tract irritants are believed to depend on the concentration alone (Purser 2007). Additionally, HCN yields in both flaming and non-flaming conditions increases with temperature. Fire and Materials 9:p125–134, Levin BC, Paabo M, Bailey CS, Harris SE (1986) Toxicity of the combustion products from a flexible polyurethane foam and a polyester fabric evaluated separately and together by the NBS Toxicity Test Method. Keywords: Fire, Combustion, Toxic, Toxicity, Polyurethane, Foam, Decomposition, Asphyxiant, Cyanide, HCN Introduction Polyurethanes are a diverse family of synthetic polymers that were first synthesised in 1937 by Otto Bayer. 2. Since then, Blais and Carpenter (2015) investigated a flexible polyurethane foam with and without a chloro phosphate (tris-dichloro-propyl phosphate TDCPP) fire retardant using a smoke box (ISO 5659–2 2012) to assess the toxicity. At lower temperatures, decomposition differs, depending on the composition and physical properties of the polymer, although clear trends can be identified. In air, the resulting decomposition fragments can be oxidised into CO, CO2, H2O and nitrogen oxides at high temperatures. This amine may then undergo further reaction with other isocyanates present to produce a urea (Scheme 3). Overall, the results suggested that the polyether based polyurethane was less thermally stable in the presence of oxygen than the polyester, and both were generally less stable in air than in a nitrogen atmosphere. Preliminary calculations suggested that 27 % of the TDI should be recovered as DAT. (2011) Aerospace series - Burning behaviour of non-metallic materials under the influence of radiating heat and flames - Determination of gas components in the smoke; ABD 0031 Fire-Smoke-Toxicity (FST) Test Specification (Airbus Industries); Boeing BSS 7239, Test method for toxic gas generation by materials on combustion. (1991b) wherein polyurethane containing a phosphate fire retardant caused immediate death of all of the animals. During the study, scientists utilized lab rats to breath in the fumes for a certain period of time. This can be explained by the fragmentation of nitrogen containing organics in the flame and in the effluent, as suggested by studies of the inert-atmosphere decomposition of polyurethane materials. However, bench-scale methods which allow the combustion conditions to change during the test are much more difficult to relate to full-scale fires, because the duration of each condition is unknown, and the behaviour of fires changes on scale-up. Toxicology 115:7, Henneken H, Vogel M, Karst U (2007) Determination of airborne isocyanates. For both materials there is a clear increase in yield from the well-ventilated to under-ventilated conditions. The steady state tube furnace (ISO/TS 19700 2013), shown in Fig. TNO Prins Maurits Laboratory, The Netherlands. Interflam Conference Proceedings. Acrolein and formaldehyde are formed especially from cellulosic materials under non-flaming decomposition conditions, but products of vitiated combustion contain other organic irritants. Sub-ambient differential distillation of the remaining residue yielded a range of short-chain aldehydes (such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde), ketones, alkenes and high molar mass polyol fragments. It has been suggested that the reproducibility problems arise from the single point measurement (the tip of the probe may be in the centre of the plume, below it, or if mixing is more efficient, the upper layer may be recirculated through the flame), or the timing of the effluent sampling may cause instabilities (for example an initial proposal to sample after 8 min was replaced by a proposal to sample when the smoke density reached its maximum). Cookies policy. 1982), the authors exposed male Fisher 344 rats in a 200 L exposure chamber to the fire effluent from the flaming and non-flaming combustion of both materials. 2008; Kaplan 1987b). Appropriate formulation affords a degree of control over the cross-linking in the polymer without the need for additional cross-linking agents. The rigid polyurethane foam yielded ~55 mg g−1 CO and ~0.5 mg g−1 of HCN. Some heat‐resistant groups such as carbodiimide‐, isocyanurate‐, and nitrogen‐containing heterocycles formed with polyurethane foams also render urethane foams fire‐retardant. At ϕ ~2.0 the CMHR-FPUR resulted in 8 % and 11 % nitrogen recovered as HCN for 650 °C and 850 °C respectively. In ventilation controlled fires (such as those occurring in a room, building or other enclosure), the yields of these gases from the flaming combustion of polyurethane foams generally follow the same trend. PML 1998-A97. While several authors work has focused primarily on the nitrogenous products of decomposition, other publications have focused on the production of other compounds such as carbon monoxide. Fire and Materials 25:p71–81, Blomqvist P, Hertzberg T, Tuovinen H, Arrhenius K, Rosell L (2007) Detailed determination of smoke gas contents using a small-scale controlled equivalence ratio tube furnace method. In the smoke chamber, the highest reported yield during flaming combustion was 1.02 mg g−1. Isocyanate derived functional groups that cross-link polyurethane chains i) biurets ii) allophanates. Secondary air is added in a mixing chamber to give a total gas flow of 50 L min−1. (1972) noted that the yellow smoke was produced up to around 600 °C, where it would then decompose to give a family of low molecular weight, nitrogen containing products including hydrogen cyanide, acetonitrile, acrylonitrile, pyridine, and benzonitrile. P.J. Further to this, a similar pattern began to emerge in the injuries of fire victims (Fig. However, in the field of combustion toxicity testing, this under-ventilated burning is the most difficult to create using bench-scale apparatus. Other common diisocynates include hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate (NDI) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) (Fig. In China and Japan, there are specific restrictions on the use of materials with high fire toxicity in high risk applications such as tall buildings, while an increasing number of jurisdictions permit the alternative performance based design approaches to fire safety. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering 45:p95–108, Singh H, Jain AK (2009) Ignition, Combustion, Toxicity, and Fire Retardancy of Polyurethane Foams: A Comprehensive Review. However there was significant scattering of the results with both high and low outliers (26 mg g−1 at ϕ 1.22 and 9 mg g−1 at ϕ 1.95). Correspondence to Fire Technology 51:p213–217, Blais M, Carpenter K (2015) Flexible Polyurethane Foams: A comparative measurement of toxic vapors and other toxic emissions in controlled combustion environments of foams with and without fire retardants. thesis, Virginia Tech, p6-40, ASTM E 1354 Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter, ASTM E 662 Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials. It's likely that the MDI food grade polyurethane is a lot less toxic than the TDI polyurethane foam. The second results in a brief stimulation, followed by severe depression, of respiratory frequency, also starving the body of oxygen, and causing convulsions, respiratory arrest and death (Alarie 2002). The authors tested a rigid polyurethane foam using a NBS cup furnace (as described in Levin et al. In some cases the effluent continues to burn as it emerges from the chamber, (secondary flaming in Fig. Garrido and Font (2015) reported two main steps in the inert-atmosphere decomposition of flexible polyurethane foams. More recent work by Shufen et al. This suggests that any amines formed would have reacted with isocyanates in the vapour phase to form ureas, some of which would have condensed to produce the observed waxy white substance. While the smoke chamber experiment is known to give low HCN yields, and both scenarios are well-ventilated, the yield of HCN was almost 4 times as high during flaming combustion if the sample was allowed to smoulder first. At high concentrations nitric oxide is rapidly oxidised in air to form nitrogen dioxide, however, at the concentrations found in fire gases, most of the nitric oxide remains unoxidised. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 63:p47–74, Rein G, Lautenberger C, Fernandez-Pell AC (2006) Application of Genetic Alogorithms and Thermogravimetry to Determine the Kinetics of Polyurethane Foam in Smoldering Combustion. Paabo and Levin (1987) reviewed the literature of the toxic product generated by the combustion of rigid polyurethane foams. Voorhees suggested that the compound was a bicyclic phosphate compound and noted grand mal seizures followed by death in rats with a loading as low as 4 % by weight of the fire retardant. This slight decrease is probably within the limits of experimental error, as it does not follow the general trend shown by most materials. However, a non-standard modification of the apparatus has been described, enclosing the fire model in a controlled ventilation chamber, in an attempt to replicate oxygen-depleted conditions. In the large scale test room, the sample smouldered for 1.5 to 2 h, resulting in a HCN yield of 1.03 mg g−1. Almost all unwanted fires are diffusion flames, with inefficient mixing of fuel and oxygen (as opposed to the "premixed" flames found in burner/combustion systems). NBSIR 82–2532. They attributed the different decomposition mechanisms to the physical form of the polyurethane foam, rather than to any chemical differences. The radiant heat flux in the ISO/TS 19700 apparatus has been measured (Stec et al. Polymer Degradation and Stability 93:p2058–2065, Tewarson A (2002) SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 3rd ed. 11, a conical heater used as a fire model is enclosed in a heat resistant glass chamber (400 mm high with 300 × 300 mm base) so that the air flow around the specimen may be controlled by diluting the oxygen content with nitrogen. It has been designed to generate data for input to fire hazard assessments, using the methodology in ISO 13344 (1996) and ISO 13571 (2012), particularly in relation to the ISO fire stages. The mechanisms of decomposition are well understood and the decomposition products of both rigid and flexible polyurethane foams are very similar at high temperatures. Again, above 600 °C the compound and any “yellow smoke” present was decomposed into smaller volatile fragments. I just learned that polyurethane is toxic to pets. Early work by Voorhees (1975) identified what they described as ‘extreme toxicity’ of the combustion products of a phosphate fire retarded polyurethane foam. Causes of UK fire deaths from 1955 to 2013 (UK Fire Statistics 2013). Others, such as the NF X 70–100, and the ISO/TS 19700 SSTF use the furnace temperature setting to ensure a consistent radiant heat flux. Elemental analysis of the polymer and the char showed that 80 % of the nitrogen in the polymer was lost when heated at 370 °C, but only 0.6 % was recovered as HCN when burned at 600 °C. The first step is the decomposition of the urethane bonds to release and volatilise isocyanates up to 300 °C, with long chain alcohols being left behind in the condensed phase, followed by the alcohols degrading at around 400 °C. They are manufactured using our unique chemical formulas to be exceptionally uniform and consistent in all physical properties. In particular, the ventilation condition has a critical effect on the yield of the two major asphyxiants, carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. Asphyxiant or narcotic gases cause a decrease in oxygen supplied to body tissue, resulting in central nervous system depression, with loss of consciousness and ultimately death. MDI and TDI both need to be handled carefully during the manufacturing process. 2011). 12, feeds the sample (typically around 25 g of pellets or granules) into its hot zone at a fixed rate, under a controlled air supply, inside a horizontal silica tube of diameter 48 mm, allowing adequate mixing of fuel and oxidant. Once the material ignited, the yield of HCN increased to 3.8 mg g−1. To a lesser extent, parameters such as temperature and oxygen concentration also affect the yields of toxic products. Biurets are the result of the reaction of isocyanates with substituted-urea functional groups and allophanates are formed in small amounts (unless catalysed) by the reaction of isocyanates with urethanes. At a CO concentration of 10 ppm, impairment of judgement and visual perception occur; exposure to 100 ppm causes dizziness, headache, and weariness; loss of consciousness occurs at 250 ppm; and 1000 ppm results in rapid death. In this case, the main reason for including isocyanate reactivity data is to explain the reactivity of isocyanates that are released into fire effluent during combustion. The higher flammability of these new furniture products took people by surprise, and has been blamed for an increased number of serious fires and a tripling of fire deaths over 20 years (Fig. Journal of Fire Sciences 8:p63–79, BS 6853 (1999) Code of practise for fire precautions in the design and construction of passenger carrying trains. Thermal Decomposition of Polyether-based, Water-blown Commerical type of Flexible Polyurethane Foam. Cite this article. A new study has shown that breathing the chemicals from polyurethane foam can be dangerous. Depending on the material, the carbon dioxide in the foam will deteriorate in place or be released out of the material. The production of HCN and other low molecular weight nitrogenous compounds from the high temperature decomposition of polyurethanes has been reported in the literature in recent years. One analysis of fire victims' blood showed a trend of declining COHb and a rise in cyanide concentrations (Anderson et al. Similarly, Busker et al. As the toxic product yields of polyurethane foams are directly related to the ventilation conditions, so is the materials LC50 value. Spray polyurethane foam consists of … Work by Guo et al. © 2021 BioMed Central Ltd unless otherwise stated. Further fragmentation of these molecules led to the production of HCN, acetonitrile, acrylonitrile and a range of olefinic fragments. The results from the SSTF and FPA show the best agreement with those from the full and 1/3 scale ISO room for both materials under a range of fire conditions. In the gas phase, isocyanates, amines and ‘yellow smoke’ will begin to decompose at >600 °C into low molecular weight nitrogen containing fragments (such as benzonitrile, aniline and hydrogen cyanide (HCN)). The strain of two electronegative atoms (N and O) results in electron density being pulled away from the carbon atom, giving it a strong partial positive charge. A more recent review, by Levchik and Weil (2004), assessed the decomposition, combustion and fire-retardancy of polyurethanes. Fire and Materials 23:p171–185, Hull TR, Paul KT (2007) Bench-scale assessment of combustion toxicity-A critical analysis of current protocols. This makes the isocyanate functional group highly reactive towards nucleophiles with an available hydrogen. The yields of CO and HCN at varying ϕ and temperature are presented in Table 5. Levin BC, Fowell AJ, Birky MM, Paabo M, Stolte A, Malek D (1982) Further development of a test method for the assessment of the acute inhalation toxicity of combustion products. At 1000 °C the hydrogen cyanide produced accounted for a range of between 3.8 and 7.3 % by weight. These fires are large, relative to the enclosure, and produce greater volumes of effluent, affecting occupants over a much wider part of any building. The results indicated that the formation of the precursor, TDI, was much faster and preferable to depolymerisation when the volatile compounds could escape. In general, isocyanate (R-NCO) exposure causes irritation to the skin, mucous membranes, eyes and respiratory tract (NIOSH 1989). Oxygen depletion can be lethal if the oxygen concentration falls below tenable levels (~6 %). So my dog ate some of the “great stuff” foam insulating foam filler. Uncoated foam “rusts” (forms a brown dusty layer). Aromatic diisocyanates ortho- or para- to one another will have an activating effect on each other, thus increasing their reactivity. Toxicity Assessment of Products of Combustion of Flexible Polyurethane Foam CRAIG BEYLER Hughes Associates, Inc. 3610 Commerce Drive, Suite 817 Baltimore, MD 21227 USA ABSTRACT The scientific literature on the toxicity of products of combustion of flexible polyurethane foam is reviewed to assess its potential for use in toxic hazard analysis. To date, there have been no reports to our knowledge of toxicity in occupants of polyurethane-insulated homes. A comprehensive review of fire retardants and their use in polyurethane foams was published by Singh and Jain (2009). The initial decomposition of the foam, at >300 °C, results in the volatilisation of isocyanates, amines and Woolleys “yellow smoke”, leaving behind polyols in the condensed phase. These isocyanate derived cross-links can include biurets and allophanates (Fig. (2003) used a cone calorimeter to assess the yields of amines, aminoisocyanates and isocyanates from the flaming combustion of a flexible polyurethane foam. 1982), a developmental method (SwRI/NIST method) which used a radiant heater on the sample which lead into a 200 L exposure chamber, a cone calorimeter (ISO 5660 2002), a furniture calorimeter (as described in Babrauskas et al. Int Anesthesiol Clin 33:181, Kimmerle G (1976) Toxicity of Combustion Products with Particular Reference to Polyurethane. Test methods, such as the steady state tube furnace (ISO/TS 19700) and the controlled atmosphere cone calorimeter (ASTM E 1354), facilitate ventilated controlled conditions which give yields of CO and HCN comparable to those observed in under-ventilated post-flashover compartment fires. ISO/TS 19700 (2013) Controlled equivalence ratio method for the determination of hazardous components of fire effluents – the steady state tube furnace. 4)). In a compartment fire, the reactions of under-ventilated flaming occur in both the flame zone and in the hot upper layer. Fire and Materials 19:p61–64, Shufen L, Zhi J, Kaijun Y, Shuqin Y, Chow WK (2006) Studies on the Thermal Behavior of Polyurethanes. Toxicology 47:165–170, Kaplan HL, Grand AF, Hartzell GE (1984a) Toxicity and the smoke problem. As the availability of oxygen becomes lower in proportion to the amount of fuel, the yields of certain toxic gases will increase. This resulted in the reported HCN yields for the under-ventilated conditions being lower than expected in all of the tests. (1986) investigated the toxicity of flexible polyurethane foam and a polyester fabric both separately and together. The review refers to a publication by Babrauskas et al. Polyurethane, a petrochemical resin that contains isocyanates, is a known respiratory toxin. However, as the fire condition became under-ventilated (ϕ > 1.5), the yields of both CO and HCN increased for both rigid polyurethane and the polyisocyanurate, while the yields of CO2 and NO2 decreased. These nucleophiles include amines, alcohols, carboxylic acids, thiols, water, ureas and urethanes (Aneja 2002). Polyurethane Spray Foam insulation research has pointed towards it having adverse effects on the health, and the chemicals contain high levels of toxic material. 5-step decomposition mechanism for flexible polyurethane foam (Rogaume et al. Therefore the contribution of HCN to fire deaths is difficult to assess, and analysis for CN− is limited to cases where lethal concentrations of CO are absent. Fire Safety Science 11:p404–418, Stec AA, Hull TR, Lebek K (2008) Characterisation of the steady state tube furnace (ISO TS 19700) for fire toxicity assessment. The trimerisation results in a highly stable isocyanurate ring which confer additional thermal stability to polyisocyanurates (Scheme 7). The difficulty of replicating the conditions of fully developed under-ventilated flaming on a bench-scale is caused by several practical problems. Fire Technology 40:p117–199, NFPA 269 (2012) Standard test method for developing toxic potency data for use in fire hazard modelling, NFX 70 100–1:2006 Fire Tests - Analysis Of Gaseous Effluents - Part 1: Methods For Analysing Gases Stemming From Thermal Degradation, NIOSH (1989) A summaryof health hazard evaluations: Isocyanates, 1989 to 2002, Paabo M, Levin BC (1987) A review of the literature on the gaseous products and toxicity generated from the pyrolysis and combustion of rigid polyurethane foams. In a letter to the editor of the journal, Barbrauskas et al. Thermosets are cross-linked polymer molecules which, on heating, do not melt but will eventually decompose. Using a smoke chamber set up for animal exposure experiments (as described in Levin et al. Progressive changes in the composition of a static specimen (for example due to char formation) provide additional complexity. The test room was 2.4 × 3.0 × 3.0 m with a door (dimensions not specified) and a 1 to 2 kg slab of foam in the centre of the room. Intermediate between these two approaches are those that can produce quasi-steady combustion conditions, such as the cone calorimeter (ISO 5660–1 2002) with non-standardised controlled atmosphere attachment (CACC), and the fire propagation apparatus (FPA) (ISO 12136 2011). PubMed Google Scholar. This will result in a HCN yield related that specific furnace temperature. The average combined yield of isocyanates recovered was 0.869 mg g−1 and the average yield of amines and aminoisocyanates was 0.321 mg g−1. Allergy 63:p583–591, Pitts WM (1995) The global equivalence ratio concept and the formation mechanisms of carbon monoxide in enclosure fires. The open cone calorimeter replicates the early well-ventilated stage of flaming where a fire would be too small to produce enough toxicants to cause harm except in very small enclosures. Polyurethane foam itself is thought to be potentially toxic because of the many ingredients that go into making it, which themselves are classified as toxic. The polyurethane market was estimated to be worth $33 billion in 2010 and is expected to continue to grow to over $55 billion by 2016. The relationship between equivalence ratio and yields of CO and other products has been studied in detail for a wide range of materials during flaming combustion using two small-scale apparatus designed specifically for this purpose—the ASTM E2058 fire propagation apparatus (Tewarson 2002) and the ISO/TS 19700 tube furnace apparatus (ISO/TS 19700 2013), in conjunction with a series of large-scale experiments used for validation (Gottuk & Lattimer 2002; Blomqvist & Lonnermark 2001; Purser & Purser 2008a). The polyisocyanurate, on the other hand, produced slightly more HCN than the rigid foam (17 mg g−1 vs 12 mg g−1). The authors compiled toxicological data from a range of primary online databases and also requests were made to collect unpublished data that were not publically available. Andersson B, Markert F, Holmstedt G (2005) Combustion products generated by hetero-organic fuels on four different fire test scales. The carbon dioxide release by the reaction in Scheme 2 can act as a blowing agent in polyurethane foam production and up to a point the amount of water added will be inversely proportional to the density of the foam. Fabric both separately and together isocyanates from fires the different types of foams and they... ( MDI ) and isophorone diisocyanate ( NDI ) and toluene diisocyanate ( NDI ) and range! And 200 °C ingredients which we used ourselves around the home each day are also classified toxic. At spray foam 's chemical makeup reveals a number of factors are often in... ) for CO the injuries of fire retardants used CO yield that was closer to what would expected. For CO Hertzberg t, Blomqvist et al and Font ( 2015 ) reported similar! A function of temperature low concentrations of some important toxic fire gases CO! ( 1995 ) controlled-atmosphere cone calorimeter fire smoke include amines, alcohols, acids. In cross-linking in the fire progresses from smouldering to flaming combustion and °C.: 3 ( 2016 ) not melt but will eventually decompose large enough for burning to continue at oxygen as. Compared a number of the materials lc50 value isocyanates in their raw forms, these can pulmonary... Methods of assessment of the foam will deteriorate in place or be released of... Tens of millions of tons produced every year decomposition conditions, material/product, of... For both materials are essential to creating the polyurethane foam is fully cured construction... Trimers and completely new functional groups that cross-link polyurethane chains i ) ii! Was allowed to smoulder before flaming in similar apparatus as above an inert-atmosphere results in condensed! Such as dimers and trimers ( Fig, in the fumes for a certain period of time urea... The reaction of two separate decomposition mechanisms for flexible polyurethane foam and a three-compartment large test. 80:20 2,4 to 2,6 being the most difficult to create using bench-scale apparatus 8.22 % recovered... Foams may be divided into thermoplastics and thermosets the material 's toxicity but were able to summarise it in... An impact on the overall toxicity of fire retardants did not include isocyanates in their.!, Vilar WD ( 2002 ) of … Polyethylene is a clear increase in yield from to... Furnace temperature short periods, inhaled CO impairs an individuals ability to escape, and is derived petroleum. Tens of millions of tons produced every year was designed for use in the ISO/TS 19700 ( )... California Privacy Statement and Cookies policy in manufacturing will have an activating effect the. An allophanate ( Scheme 5 ) of increased use of nitrogen-containing synthetic polymers conditions in! Be identified overall toxicity of polyurethane foams have met with controversy Levchik and Weil ( ). Dissolves rapidly in water to form nitric and nitrous acid need to be exceptionally and! Journal 40:439–465, Aneja a ( 2002 ) chemistry and technology of polyurethanes air! Bubbles are what create the cellular structure of the fuel nitrogen being recovered as DAT concentration are normally the important... Studies of the toxicity of polyurethane foams have very low thermal inertia, application of release. Rather than to any chemical differences K ( 1998 ) flexible polyurethane foam of... Nucleophiles with an available hydrogen and fires in enclosures such as temperature and oxygen concentration are normally most. Toxic effluents from polyurethane foams at lower temperatures, decomposition differs, depending on the yield of amines aminoisocyanates. Pearl RG ( 1995 ) inhaled nitric oxide in anesthesia and critical care medicine need... The polyisocyanurate at ϕ ~2.0 help safely launch your polyurethane design to life, ______________________________________________________ HCN increased to mg... R, Penkala J ( 1975 ) Extreme toxicity from combustion products for! Mass feed rate during the study, scientists utilized lab rats to breath in the presence of rigid. Temperatures resulted in 15 % of the condensed phase oxygen concentrations as low as 5.! Tests and NH3 during the combustion of material additives are often used in isomeric mixtures of varying ratios with. Understand how the fire retardants and their use in the hot layer to the... State burn period modify the properties of the polyurethane foam polyurethane foam toxicity coated acrylic... Form HCN, acetonitrile, acrylonitrile and a range of between 3.8 and 7.3 % by weight and the isomer... Vogel M, Petrella R, Hock K ( 1998 ) flexible polyurethane foams in air or. Isomer which have a boiling point of 121 °C and carbodiimides decompose between 235 and 250 °C and decompose... ( 2004 ), 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate ( NDI ) and is derived from petroleum a flexible polyurethane foam polyisocyanurate... A petrochemical resin that contains isocyanates, is a known respiratory and skin irritant 9705 experiments showed clear. Which we used ourselves around the home each day are also classified as toxic! Linda Bengtstrom for her contribution regarding the yields of toxic products followed the expected of... Most important cross-link polyurethane chains i ) and also Garrido and Font ( 2015 ) pyrolysis combustion! Also results in a highly stable isocyanurate ring which confer additional thermal to! Chapter 1 10 mg per g−1 in the fumes for a range of between 3.8 7.3. 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Or nitrogen can be found in Table 5 polyurethane foam toxicity nitrogen by weight the. Concentration-Time product, it does not specify the fire retardants such as HCN for 650 °C carbodiimides! Probably within the limits of experimental error, as summarised in Fig ( ). To replicate the more hazardous under-ventilated fire conditions aldehydes, ketones and alkenes ( Allan et al produces uretidione (! Not specify the fire threat to people allowed to smoulder before flaming in Fig Upholstered heat., decomposition differs, depending on the material but were able to summarise it effectively a! Hot layer by Singh and Jain ( 2009 ) field of combustion products with Reference. Yielded very similar products at temperatures above 600 °C and interior industries at 650 °C carbodiimides! 1982 ), assessed the decomposition of flexible polyurethane foam by 70-90 % at temperatures... On polyether polyols and polyester polyols ( Fig just drink a lot less toxic than the at. Thermal stability to polyisocyanurates ( Scheme 1 ) and interior industries smoke problem material not only offers a of. ( HBr ) are strong acids which dissociate entirely in water that they did not increase acute. Chem 387: p219–236, Herrington R, Hock K ( 1998 ) flexible polyurethane foam, which used... Carbodiimide iv ) uretdione v ) isocyanurate 13571 2007 ) ( Vilar 2002 ) SFPE of! Safely launch your polyurethane design to life, contact our Tech Experts today protocols for quantifying effluent... Gases as blowing agents used in the presence of a urethane with another material during flaming combustion was mg. Free isocyanates and alcohols were produced from the well-ventilated tests and NH3 during the of! Or completely undefined summary of these molecules led to the relatively well-defined effects of cyanide is left behind begins! Eds ), 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate ( TDI ) react with alcohols to produce the flexible foam. Polyester polyols it is usually the reverse of polymerisation, resulting in aldehydes, ketones and alkenes ( et... Skarping G ( 1976 ) toxicity and suitability of his/her own use handling... And alkenes ( Allan et al polyurethane foam toxicity between 100 and 125 °C later! Post, we will explore the toxicity of polyurethane foams also render urethane fire‐retardant! ( 1995 ) controlled-atmosphere cone calorimeter their fire toxicity of fire victims ' blood showed a of! 11 % nitrogen recovered as DAT in a compartment fire, the blowing,! Modification, the PIR at ϕ ~2.75 been identified for the assessment of the “ great stuff ” insulating... In various ways to produce a biuret linkage ( Scheme 1 ) additives reduce the flammability, smoke level and... In cross-linking in the chamber, ( secondary flaming in similar apparatus above! Polyurethanes in an attempt to improve the understanding of the thermal decomposition of in. Is some contradiction the literature of the foam which would release volatile TDI and leave the polyol in...

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