Skin absorbtion contributes to urine diamine levels used for biological monitoring in TDI exposed workers

Workers handling hot TDI foam had higher urine levels of toluenediamine used as a biological monitor that workers from the same environment not handling the foam. The 2,6 TDI isomer which constituted 20% of the original mix was responsible for most of the toluene diamine in handlers, but much less in those only exposed by the respiratory route, suggesting either better skin absorbtion of the 2,6 isomer, or greater exposure as it reacts more slowly than the 2,4 isomer and may be present in higher proportions in workers handling the foam in its later stages of curing.

References

	Austin S, Biological monitoring of TDI-derived amines in polyurethane foam production, Occup Med, 2007;57:444-448,

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