Safety of Brush / Roller application of isocyanate paint

Dear Vicky, I am trying to find some information on the brush/roller application of paints containing isocyanates. I can agree that air fed respirator equipment is needed when the product is sprayed, but are the vapours still harmful when it is applied by a brush or roller? Any information you could give me on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Sam Panter

Occupational Asthma, Specialist, 2/20/2006, 2/20/2006,

Isocyanates are a possible cause of occupational asthma whenever they can be inhaled. TDI and HDI are volatile at room temperature and can cause asthma when applied by brush or roller. In fact one of the first cases was a boat builder varnishing racing eights for the Oxford and Cambridge boat race. He used a two pack isocyanate varnish which was painted in the challenge chamber under Prof Pickering's direction. (Pepys J, Pickering CAC,Breslin ABX, Terry DJ. Clinical Allergy 1972 2;225-226) Less volatile isocyanates such as MDI or polyisocyanates can be inhaled when sprayed or heated (the curing process sometimes produces heat such as when isocyanate foam is made).

2/20/2006