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Manual Manufacturing Chemists’ Association, Inc. Tolylene Diisocyanate
Sheet
SD-73

It should be realized by every worker that 10.3 SUGGESTIONS TO PHYSICIANS
exposure to a chemical which can cause a burn
requires the instant application of copious amounts Treatment of the irritation and broncho-spasm
of water and that the speed with which this is done follows the usual medical treatment for such condi­
may markedly decrease the severity of the burn. tions arising from any external cause. There have
been no reports on any attempted hardening process
10.2.2 Physical Examination and its does not appear that it should be instituted.
10.3.1 Oxygen Administration
10.2.2.1 Preplacement Examinations
Oxygen has been found useful in the treatment
Before being assigned to handling tolylene of inhalation exposures of many chemicals, especial­
diisocyanate, all individuals should have a careful ly those capable of causing either immediate or de­
preplacement physical examination. In order to layed harmful effects in the lungs.
protect the health of these individuals properly, the
physician carrying out the examination may wish to In most exposures, administration of 100%
exclude from such processes, people with the follow­ oxygen at atmospheric pressures has been found to
ing conditions: be adequate. This is best accomplished by use of
a face mask having a reservoir bag of the non-re­
(a) Those with only one functioning eye. breathing type. Inhalation of 100% oxygen should
(b) Those with uncorrected, severe, faulty not exceed one hour of continuous treatment. After
vision. each hour therapy may be interrupted. It may be re­
instituted as the clinical condition indicates.
(c) Those who have chronic diseases of the
nose, throat or lung. Some believe that superior results are obtained
when exposures to lung irritants are treated with
(d) Those with a history or presence of oxygen under an exhalation pressure not exceeding
asthma or asthmatic bronchitis.
4 cm. water. Masks providing for such exhalation
10.2.2.2 Periodic Health Examinations pressures are obtainable. A single treatment may
suffice for minor exposures to irritants. It is believed
Employees working with tolylene diisocya­ by some observers that oxygen under pressure is
nate will not develop chronic disease provided rea­ useful as an aid in the prevention of pulmonary
sonable and acceptable measures of industrial hy­ edema after breathing irritants.
giene are consistently enforced. A certain percentage,
however, may be affected by even minute exposure. In the event of an exposure causing symptoms or
This effect takes the form of acute spasm of the in the case of a history of severe exposure, the
bronchial tubes whenever the individual comes in patient may be treated with oxygen under 4 cm.
contact with even very small amounts of the vapor. exhalation pressure for one-half hour periods out of
There is no remedy for this condition and the indi­ every hour. Treatment may be continued in this
viduals do not “become hardened” or lose their sensi­ way until symptoms subside or other clinical indica­
tivity. If an individual is affected by exposure to tions for interruption appear.
minute amounts of tolylene diisocyanate, he should Caution! It may not be advisable to administer
be removed from all further contacts with the chem­ oxygen under positive pressure in the presence of
ical. impending or existing cardiovascular failure.

1 1 . FIRST AID
11.1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES of large amounts of water immediately after the acci­
dent occurs. If the skin contact is extensive and an
In cases of skin or eye exposure to tolylene di­
isocyanate, the chemical must be removed immedi­ emergency shower is available, the employee should
get under the shower immediately. Clothes can be
ately or severe injury will result.
removed while under the shower. In other instances,
After severe exposure to the vapors of tolylene flushing with large amounts of running water together
diisocyanate it is important to move the patient from with soap and water washing should be continued
the contaminated area to a spot where he can receive for at least five minutes. It is important to remember
medical attention. to remove all clothing including shoes, socks, etc.,
which may be contaminated. Subsequent medical
treatment is the same as for thermal burns.
11.2 CONTACT WITH SKIN AND MUCOUS
MEMBRANES
11.3 CONTACT WITH EYES
The most important part of the treatment of local
irritations is the removal of the irritant by the use If even small amounts of tolylene diisocyanate

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