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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: 2,6-Toluene diisocyanate; 2,6-TDI; 2,6-Diisocyanato-1-methylbenzene; 2,6-Diisocyanatotoluene

OSHA IMIS Code Number: T177

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 91-08-7

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: CZ6310000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and 2012 Emergency Response Guidebook [4 MB PDF, 392 pages]: 2078 156

IPCS International Chemical Safety Card - Toluene-2,6-diisocyanate: Acute hazards, symptoms, physical and chemical dangers, physical properties, and more




Exposure Limits and Health Effects

Exposure Limit

Limit Values

HE Codes

Health Factors and Target Organs

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

Not established

 

 

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

Not established

 

 

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) (2004)*

0.005 ppm
(0.036 mg/m3)
TWA

0.02 ppm
(0.14 mg/m3)
STEL

SEN; A4

HE9

Respiratory sensitization, asthma

HE11

Bronchitis, pneumonitis, pulmonary edema

HE14

Eye, mucous membrane, and respiratory irritation

CAL/OSHA PEL

Not established

 

 
* In the ACGIH 2012 Notice of Intended Changes, ACGIH proposed the following limit values and notations: 0.001 ppm TWA (inhalable fraction); 0.003 ppm STEL (inhalable fraction); Skin; SEN; A3; basis: asthma.

National Toxicology Program (NTP) carcinogenic classification: Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen [14 MB PDF, 507 pages]

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 2B [120 KB PDF, 15 pages] (possibly carcinogenic to humans [toluene diisocyanates])

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Not listed

EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): Not established

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

NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) concentration: Not listed

Notes on Other Potential Health Effects and Hazards

  1. Toluene-2,6-diisocyanate is combustible and can release irritating or toxic fumes/gases in a fire (NIOSH/IPCS 1998).
  2. Death from severe asthma in sensitized workers has been reported (NIOSH 1996).
  3. Studies of chronic effects in animals show that cancer is associated with exposure to commercial-grade toluene diisocyanate (TDI) (an 80:20 mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-TDI) (NIOSH 1989).
  4. Once sensitized, workers may continue to exhibit the health effects of TDI several years after exposure has ended (ACGIH 2004).
  5. Individuals sensitized to TDI may develop a chronic-like syndrome that includes coughing, wheezing, tightness or congestion in the chest, and shortness of breath (ACGIH 2004).


Date Last Revised: 9/6/2012

Literature Basis

Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

  • sampling media: Coated Glass Fiber Filter (37 mm open face) Coated with 1.0 mg 1-(2-Pyridyl)piperazine
    maximum volume: 240 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 1.0 L/min
    current analytical method: High Performance Liquid Chromatography; HPLC/UV/FLU
    method reference: OSHA Manual of Analytical Methods (OSHA 42)
    method classification: Fully Validated
    note: OSHA personnel may obtain filters from SLTC and refrigerate until used.

On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Dräger
    model/type: Toluene Diisocyanate 0.02/a, order no. 67 24501
    sampling information: 25 strokes
    upper measurement limit: 0.2 ppm
    detection limit: approx. 0.02 ppm
    standard deviation: ±30%
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

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