# Air Monitoring Investigation – SPF Installation in Residential Structures

July 16, 2009Brian F.Karlovich, CIH, CSP-BayerMaterialScienceLLCStudy BackgroundPurposes of Air Monitoring Study:Evaluate potential worker exposures during SPFapplicationEvaluate potential migration of SPF compoundsto adjoining floorsEvaluate airborne concentrations with distancefrom applicatorEvaluate airborne concentrations in truck trailerEvaluate rate of decline of airborneconcentrations following the end of sprayingObserve personal protective equipment use bySPF workersStudy BackgroundFive air monitoring surveys conducted:Pittsburgh, PA area 2007-08Four during summer months, one during winterTwo during open cell foam applications in newtown houses undergoing constructionOne during open cell foam application in single-family home undergoing renovation–differentSPF formulation than othersTwo during closed cell foam applications insingle-family homes undergoing renovationStudy BackgroundJulyAugustJuneDecemberAugustMonthInstalledSingle-FamilyHomeTownHouseTownHouseSingle-FamilyHomeSingle-FamilyHomeStructureTypeOpen Cell(Formulation #3)Open Cell(Formulation #2)Open Cell(Formulation #2)Closed Cell(Formulation #1)Closed Cell(Formulation #1)SPF TypeSurvey No.5Survey No.4Survey No.3Survey No.2Survey No.1Study BackgroundFive surveys conducted(cont.):Each structure two to four floorsEach survey–SPF applied to perimeter wall,partial perimeter wall, and/or underside of roofdeckTypically one or two windows and/or doors opensomewhere in the structureTypical SPF crew–one applicator and one totwo helpers. Applicators and helpers sometimesswitched roles.Study SummaryEach study included:personal air samples–short and long termstationary area samples on each floor–toevaluate potential migration of SPF compoundsto adjoining floorsmobile area samples to maintain prescribeddistances from applicatorpost-spray samples on each floorarea samples in truck trailerAIR SAMPLING PLAN SCHEMATICBASEMENT2ND FLOOR1STFLOORWorkerWorkerMobileStationaryStudy SummaryAnalytesMDI and larger molecular weightoligomersof MDIBayer Method 1.20.0Spill proofimpingerwith toluene/1-(2-pyridyl)piperazinesolutionBacked up with treated 13 mm glass fiber filter with 1-(2-pyridyl)piperazine and diethyl phthalate in MilliporeSwinnex®cassetteFlow rate 1 liter per minuteFilter desorbed in field withacetonitrile/dimethylsulfoxide(90:10)Analysis-HPLC with detection by UV or fluorescenceStudy SummaryAnalytesAmine catalysts(types/levels varied by formulation–2 to 5 per formulation, from <1% to about 5%)Bayer Method 2.10.3XAD-2 tubeFlow rate 0.5 liters per minuteAnalysis: GC-NPD (or GC-MS)Study SummaryAnalytesBlowing agent(HFC-245fa or 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane)NIOSH Method 2516–modifiedTwo charcoal tubes in seriesFlow rate 0.02 liters per minuteAnalysis: GC-FIDSummary of Potential Health Effects ofOverexposureCNS EffectsIrregularHeartbeatIrritationIrritationIrritationBlowingAgentIrritationSensitization(few)IrritationHazy/HaloVisionIrritationSensitization(few)AmineCatalystsIrritationSensitizationIrritationIrritationSensitizationMDIOtherSkinEyesRespiratoryTractPERSONAL SAMPLE RESULTSAirborne MDI Concentrations - Applicator and Helpers0501001502002503003504004505001 2 3 4 5Survey No.

Concentration (ug/m3)ApplicatorHelper 1Helper 2OEL 51 ug/m3For Survey Nos. 2, 4, and 5, Helper conducted someamount of spraying.Survey Nos. 1 and 2 are closed cell; Survey Nos. 3-5 are open cellAirborne MDI Oligomer Concentrations - Applicator and Helpers01002003004005006001 2 3 4 5Survey No.

Concentration (ug/m3)ApplicatorHelper 1Helper 2MDI OEL51 ug/m3ND – not detected at the analytical limit of quantitation.For Survey Nos. 2, 4, and 5, Helper conducted someamount of spraying.Survey Nos. 1 and 2 are closed cell; Survey Nos. 3-5 are open cellNDShort-Term Airborne MDI Concentrations - Applicator010020030040050060070080090010001 2 3 4 5Survey No.

Concentration (ug/m3)OEL 200 ug/m3Survey Nos. 1 and 2 are closed cell; Survey Nos. 3-5 are open cellShort-Term Airborne MDI Oligomer Concentrations - Applicator0200400600800100012001400160018001 2 3 4 5Survey No.

Concentration (ug/m3)MDI OEL200 ug/m3ND – not detected at the analytical limit of quantitation.Survey Nos. 1 and 2 are closed cell; Survey Nos. 3-5 are open cellNDTotal Airborne Amine Catalyst Concentrations - Applicator andHelpers010020030040050060070080090010001 2 3 4 5Survey No.

Concentration (ppb)ApplicatorHelper 1Helper 2ND – not detected at the analytical limit of quantitation.Survey Nos. 1 and 2 are closed cell; Survey Nos. 3,4, and 5 are open cellNDAirborne Blowing Agent Concentrations - Applicatorand Helpers05010015020025030035012Survey No.

Concentration (ppm)ApplicatorHelper 1Helper 2OEL 300 ppmDISTANCE FROM APPLICATOR RESULTSAirborne MDI Concentrations with Distance from Applicator01020304050607080901 2 3 4 5Survey No.

Concentration (ug/m3)10 feet20 feet30 feetOEL 51 ug/m3Survey Nos. 1 and 2 are closed cell; Survey Nos. 3-5 are open cellAirborne MDI Oligomer Concentrations with Distancefrom Applicator010203040506070801 2 3 4 5Survey No.

Concentration (ug/m3)10 feet20 feet30 feetMDI OEL51 ug/m3NDNDNDND – not detected at the analytical limit of quantitation.Survey Nos. 1 and 2 are closed cell; Survey Nos. 3-5 are open cellShort-Term Airborne MDI Concentrations with Distance fromApplicator0501001502002503001 2 3 4 5Survey No.

Concentration (ug/m3)10 feet20 feet30 feetOEL 200 ug/m3ND – not detected at the analytical limit of quantitation.Survey Nos. 1 and 2 are closed cell; Survey Nos. 3-5 are open cellND NDShort-Term Airborne MDI Oligomer Concentrations with Distance fromApplicator0501001502002503001 2 3 4 5Survey No.

Concentration (ug/m3)10 feet20 feet30 feetMDI OEL200 ug/m3ND NDND NDND – not detected at the analytical limit of quantitation.Survey Nos. 1 and 2 are closed cell; Survey Nos. 3-5 are open cellTotal Airborne Amine Catalyst Concentrations with Distance fromApplicator0200400600800100012001 2 3 4 5Survey No.

Concentration (ppb)10 feet20 feet30 feetSurvey Nos. 1 and 2 are closed cell; Survey Nos. 3,4, and 5 are open cellNDNDND – not detected at the analytical limit of quantitationAirborne Blowing Agent Concentrations with DistanceFrom Applicator05010015020025030035012Survey No.

Concentration (ppm)10 feet20 feet30 feetOEL 300 ppmMigration of Airborne SPF CompoundsMDIMDI OligomersAmine CatalystsBlowing AgentSlight Migrationto Lower Floors.ModerateMigration toLower Floors.Slight Migration toLower Floors.**<5% ofconcentration onfloor sprayed<45% ofconcentration onfloor sprayed<10% ofconcentration onfloor sprayedSlight Migrationto Lower Floors.ModerateMigration to LowerFloors.<20% ofconcentration onfloor sprayed<60% ofconcentration onfloor sprayed3 None None None NA4 None None None NANA5 None NoneSlight Migration toLower Floors.<1% ofconcentration onfloor sprayedDegree of Migration Observed1None2 None NoneSurveyNo.Where migration was observed, levels were not in excess of theOELson those floors.**Post-spray results from attic indicated upward migrationfrom 2ndfloor.Truck Trailer ResultsWhere identified, levels were well below theOELs.MDIMDIOligomersAmineCatalystsBlowingAgent4 no no no na5 no no no nano noSurveyNo.Airborne SPF Compounds Identified inTruck Trailer1 no no3naYes(13 ug/m3)yes(11 ppb)yes(1 ppm)yes(31 ppm)Yes(1 ug/m3)Yes(73 ppb)2 noPOST-SPRAY SAMPLE RESULTSPOST-SPRAY SAMPLE RESULTSMDI62 non-detectTwo samples-5 ug/m3(from two different surveys)MDIOligomersAll non-detect (64 samples)Amine CatalystsIdentified in Survey #5 onlyBlowing AgentIdentified in Survey #1Post-Spray Relative Airborne Amine Catalyst Concentrations -Survey #500.20.40.60.810 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160Time (minutes)

Fraction of OriginalPost-Spray Airborne Blowing Agent Concentrations -Survey #10501001502002503000 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160Time (minutes)

Concentration (ppm)2nd Floor1st FloorBasementOEL 300 ppmPERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTPPE-APPLICATORSCategory ofPPETypes of PPE ObservedHood-type supplied air respiratorFull-face supplied air respiratorHalf-face air purifying respirator (APR) withcombination organic vapor/particulate cartridgesEyeProtectionSafety glasses with side shields (where full-face orhood-type respirators were not used)Fabric glovesCoated fabric glovesDisposable coveralls (Kleenguard®, Komfortguard®,Tyvek®)Disposable jacket (Komfortguard®)Street clothes onlyFabric head/neck coveringDisposable overbootsMake-shift faceshield (overhead transparencymaterial attached to head covering)OtherRespiratorGlovesClothingPPE-HELPERSCategory ofPPETypes of PPE ObservedHalf-face APR with combination organicvapor/particulate cartridgesHalf-face APR with organic vapor cartridgesSafety glasses with side shieldsNoneDisposable nitrile glovesNoneDisposable coveralls (Komfortguard®)Street clothes only (short or long-sleeve shirts, pantsor shorts, athletic shoes or boots)Disposable overbootsMake-shift faceshield (overhead transparencymaterial attached to a hardhat)OtherRespiratorEyeProtectionGlovesClothingSUMMARY OF FINDINGSoAirborne concentrations of MDI exceeded the 8-hour and short-termOELsfor applicators for the majority of the surveys.Airborne concentrations of MDI exceeded the 8-hourOELsforhelpers only when they conducted some amount of spraying duringthe work shift.Similar results were seen for MDIoligomers(when comparingagainst the MDI OEL).oAirborne concentrations of blowing agent did not exceed the OELforapplicators or helpers.oAirborne amine catalysts were identified for applicators and helpers.Variable concentrations-likely due to the different types and levelsof catalysts in the SPF formulations, and differences in the specificsof the application/job site.SUMMARY OF FINDINGSoAirborne concentrations of MDI exceeded the 8-hour and short-termOELsat distances up to 20 feet from the applicator in some surveys.Similar results were seen for MDIoligomers(when comparingagainst the MDI OEL).The MDI concentrations generally displayed a decrease withdistance.oAirborne amine catalysts were identified at up to 30 feet from theapplicator in some surveys.The concentrations generally did not display a particular trend withdistance from the applicator.SUMMARY OF FINDINGSoAirborne blowing agent was identified at up to 30 feet from theapplicator in both closed cell surveys, however thelevels werenot inexcess of the OEL.The concentrations remained largely unchanged withdistancefromthe applicator.oMigration of airborne MDI, MDIoligomers, and amine catalysts tolower floors was observed in some surveys, howeverairborneconcentrations were not in excess of theOELson those floors whereidentified.oSome upward and/or downward migration of blowing agent wasobserved in both closed cell surveys, however airborneconcentrations were not in excess of the OEL on those floors whereidentified.SUMMARY OF FINDINGSoWith two exceptions, airborne MDI was not detectedin any post-spray sample, beginning as soon as 15 minutes following thecompletion of spraying.Where identified, the levels were an order of magnitude lower thanthe 8-hour OEL.Airborne MDIoligomerswere not detected in any post-spraysamples.oAirborne blowing agent was identified in post-spray samples;concentrations generally declined with time, but blowing agent wasstill present in the final samples that were collected approximately2.5 hours following the end of spraying.None of the samples exceeded the 8-hour OEL, however.SUMMARY OF FINDINGSoAirborne amine catalysts were identified in post-spray samples inonly one of the five surveys; concentrations generally declinedwithtime, but catalysts were still present in the finalsamples thatwerecollected approximately 2.5 hours following the endof spraying.The types and levels of amine catalysts in the SPFformulationapplied during this survey were different than theother surveys.Also, largest amount of foam applied per area.oLow airborne concentrations of MDI, MDIoligomers, amine catalysts,and/or blowing agent were identified in the truck trailer in somesurveys.RECOMMENDATIONSoRespiratory protection is required not only for theapplicator,but alsofor helpers working on the same floor as the applicator.oThe following respiratory protection is recommendedfor bothapplicators and helpers.A full-face or hood-type supplied air respirator operated inpositive pressure or continuous flow mode.RECOMMENDATIONSoRespiratory protection is also recommended....during trimming of SPF, which may release amine catalysts intothe air,during other post-spray activities in the area where sprayed toprotect against residual airborne SPF compounds.oThe recommended full-face or hood-type supplied air respiratorsshould provide adequate respiratory protection formost applicationenvironments, and should also protect the eyes fromaerosols andvapors, particularly amine catalyst vapors, some ofwhich can inducehazy/halo vision.RECOMMENDATIONSoFor protection against accidental sprays of reacting foam, as well ascontact with aerosols, the applicator should also wear...a disposable coverall (e.g.,Tyvek®,Kleenguard®) with attachedhood; see-through materials provide less of a barrierdisposable boot coversfabric gloves that are fully coated (front and back) in materialssuch asnitrile, neoprene, or butyl. The fabric component canprovide some degree of thermal resistance, while the coatingshould prevent the reacting foam from penetrating to the skinoHelpers working on the same floor as the applicatorshould wearthesame personal protective clothing-boot covers may not benecessary.RECOMMENDATIONSoThe equipment in the truck trailer, particularly the connectionpoints,should regularly be checked and tightened/secured if necessary.Also, leaks should be promptly cleaned up. These measuresshouldhelp reduce truck trailer airborne concentrations.RECOMMENDATIONSoFollowing installation of SPF, the structure shouldbe ventilated,either by...opening windows and/or doors on opposite sides of thestructure, orby placing fans in windows and/or doors to introduce air at oneside of the structure and exhaust it at the otherObjective is to enhance the air exchange rate to flush theairborneSPF compounds from the space.The amount of time that ventilation should be conducted will varydepending on the SPF formulation, size of the space, quantity ofSPFinstalled, ventilation rate, air mixing, etc.