Effective July 1, 2018: Spray Polyurethane Foam Systems with Unreacted Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanates

DTSC has adopted regulations to list spray polyurethane foam systems with unreacted methylene diphenyl diisocyanates as a Priority Product. Effective July 1, 2018, manufacturers of this product (see final regulations text for full description of the Priority Product) must notify the Department by September 1, 2018.

DTSC is taking this action to protect  workers and consumers from exposure to unreacted methylene diphenyl diisocyanates that could occur during normal use of spray polyurethane foam systems. Inhalation and dermal exposure to unreacted MDI is associated with adverse health effects, including asthma and allergic sensitization. People who become sensitized to MDI may also experience life-threatening asthma attacks when subsequently exposed to extremely low levels of isocyanates. Do-it-yourselfers are also at risk when using these products without appropriate personal protection. Users of SPF may become more sensitive to MDI after just one or two exposures to the unreacted materials.

The primary goal of DTSC’s Safer Consumer Products (SCP) program is to reduce human and environmental exposures to toxic chemicals in consumer products. We use a science-based process to evaluate the use of hazardous chemicals in consumer products and consider routes of exposure to these chemicals throughout the full life-cycle of the product. By listing SPF systems with unreacted methylene diphenyl diisocyanates as a Priority Product, DTSC is requiring manufacturers to answer two questions: 1) Is this chemical necessary? 2) Is there a safer alternative?

Related Documents & Links

• Technical Report
• DTSC Regulations web page for Spray Polyurethane Foam
• September 2014 Priority Product Profile
• Comments on the Initial Priority Products

SCP Priority Products