GreenSuite® Risk Assessments of Three Spray Polyurethane Systems

摘要

Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is an effective insulator and air sealant material that is derived from the onsite reaction of hazardous formulations - one containing a mixture of isocyanates, and the other containing a blend of polyols, catalysts, fire retardants, and blowing agents. Concerns with the health effects from SPF derive predominantly from potential isocyanate exposures, and to a much lesser extent, exposures to constituents in the polyol blend. Medical, scientific and legal misrepresentations of the risks associated with SPF have often been based on misunderstandings of the chemistry and associated exposure constraints. When installed properly, cured SPF should have minimal to no exposure risks. Quantitative risk assessments were performed for three different Accella Polyurethane Systems SPF systems - all using the same A Side formulation, each with a different B Side formulation and, therefore, producing three different cured SPF products. These risk assessments were performed utilizing the automated, quantitative, and objective GreenSuite® chemical and product modules, with their 44 ecological, health, and safety hazard endpoints and databases. As expected, the A Side exhibited a significant exposure risk. The B Sides each showed significantly reduced risks. The curing SPF products had noteworthy non-risks, and the completely cured SPF articles showed even further reduced non-risks. Analyses of selected physical/chemical parameters, and SPF emissions data validated the non-risks from these three SPF products.