Diisocyanates are chemical products with many applications. Traditionally, a distinction is made between "aromatic diisocyanates" (such as MDI and TDI) and "aliphatic diisocyanates" (such as HDI, HMDI and IPDI).
Together with a polyol or polyether, diisocyanates react to form a polyurethane, which can be used in insulation foam, sealants, coatings, adhesives, etc.
Health risks
Diisocyanates have allergic properties and some are also toxic. They can be highly irritating to the lungs, the mucous membranes of the eyes and the gastrointestinal tract.
A major risk is airway sensitization due to skin exposure and inhalation. An employee who frequently comes into contact with diisocyanates can suddenly become very allergic after a certain period. During subsequent exposure, severe allergic reactions and respiratory problems can then occur.
These are the most common health risks:
- occupational asthma
- shortness of breath
- lung complaints
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, chronic lung disease characterized by narrowing of the airways and lung damage)
- Allergic (skin) reactions such as eczema
- Eye and respiratory irritations
- Swollen limbs
Users must have successfully completed training on the safe use of diisocyanates before August 24, 2023, as a result of European Regulation 2020/1149/EU. After August 24, 2023, employees who do not have this certificate will no longer be able to use these products!
Who is a user?
- all employees and self-employed persons who work with diisocyanates (as such, as a component in other substances, or in mixtures for industrial and professional use)
- all employees and self-employed persons who supervise these tasks (e.g., foremen)
Training
The training aims to address the many cases of occupational asthma resulting from exposure to diisocyanates.
Depending on the exposure risk – basic, medium, or high – a user follows the training at one of the three training levels. Employees have the choice between digital training via an e-learning platform or classroom training by an expert. Employers must register who has completed which training.
To facilitate this training, ISOPA and ALIPA have designed a website and developed a training program that gives substance to this regulation. At the end of each training, one receives a certificate of the completed training.
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