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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: 4,4-Diphenylmethane diisocyanate; MDI; 4,4-Diisocyanadiphenyl-methane; Methylenebis(4-phenylisocyanate); Methylene bis(phenyl isocyanate); Methylene di-p-phenylene ester of isocyanic acid

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

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate: Physical description, chemical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more


Exposure Limits and Health Effects

Exposure Limit

Limit Values

HE Codes

Health Factors and Target Organs

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) - General Industry
See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1

0.02 ppm
(0.2 mg/m3) Ceiling

HE9

 

Respiratory sensitization

 

OSHA PEL - Construction Industry
See 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A

0.02 ppm
(0.2 mg/m3) Ceiling

HE9

Respiratory sensitization

OSHA PEL - Shipyard Employment
See 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards

0.02 ppm
(0.2 mg/m3) Ceiling

HE9

Respiratory sensitization

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)

0.005 ppm
(0.05 mg/m3) TWA

0.020 ppm
(0.2 mg/m3) Ceiling
(10 minutes)

HE9

Pulmonary sensitization, asthma

HE11 Pulmonary edema
HE14 Eye, mucous membrane, and skin irritation

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) (2001)

0.005 ppm
(0.051 mg/m3) TWA

HE9

 Respiratory sensitization
HE11 Decreased pulmonary function
CAL/OSHA PEL

0.005 ppm
(0.051 mg/m3) TWA

 HE9

Respiratory sensitization
HE11 Decreased pulmonary function

National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 3 [88 KB PDF, 10 pages] (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans)

EPA carcinogenic classification: Not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity

EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): 6x10-4 mg/m3

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Inhalation Minimal Risk Level (MRL): Not established

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) concentration: 75 mg/m3

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects and Hazards
No other potential health effects or hazards resulting from occupational exposure were found in the scientific literature.

Date last revised: 09/06/2012

Literature Basis

  • ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate. 2001.
  • NIOSH: Occupational Health Guideline for Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate. 1978.
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)
    current analytical method: High Performance Liquid Chromatography; HPLC/UV/FLU
    method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 47)
    sampling 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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