초록
Objectives: Polyurethanes are usually formed by the reactions of liquid diisocyanate components with liquid polyol resin components. Although polyurethanes have advantageous properties, such as their versatility, the manufacturing process generates diisocyanates, which can cause asthma and respiratory irritation in exposed workers. This study compared the differences in diisocyante concentrations between two different (molded foam and slabstock foam) polyurethane foam manufacturing methods. Materials and Methods: Active samples and direct reading samples of diisocyanates (MDI, TDI) were collected in five polyurethane foam manufacturing companies. Results: Workers' exposure concentrations of diisocyanate (GM: 4.078 ppb, range: 1.190~23.770 ppb) in a slabstock foam manufacturing company were much higher than those (GM: 0.011 ppb, range: 0.001~0.055 ppb) in molded foam manufacturing companies. The results of the direct reading samples of diisocyanate indicated that the rapid reaction zone of the slabstock foam processes emitted large amounts of diisocyanates. Conclusions: The exposure levels of diisocyanates for all molded foam workers were much lower than the occupational exposure standard (5 ppb); however, exposure levels for many slabstock foam workers exceeded the standard.
