# What You Need to Know About **the Safe Use of Spray Polyurethane Foam**  **EP A**  **Spray Polyurethane Foam W** **orkshop**

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## EP **A Spray Polyurethane**  **Foam W orkshop**  **Hy att**  **Regency**

**, Phoenix,**  **AZ November 12, 2009, 3:30**  **– 5:30 pm**  **Presented by :**  **Federal SPF W orkgroup** 

**ACC -**  **CPI and SPF** 

**A**

# Today’s Objectives:
 

## Communicate **hazards associated with**  **SPF installation.**  

## Communicate **SPF safe practices for applicators,**  **other trade workers and** 

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## consumers.  

## What **you can do to help assure consistent**  **use of best practices throughout**  **industry.**

# The Federal SPF Workgroup:

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## EPA  

## NIOSH  

## OSHA

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## CPSC  

## FTC

# The Industry Workgroup:

 

## American Chemistry Council (ACC) **– Center**  **For Polyurethane Industries**  **(CPI)**

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## Spray Polyurethane **Foam Alliance (SPFA)** 

# Today’s Presenters
 

### Bill Hanson **, Env**  **ironmental Protection A** **gency**  **Introduction and Background**   

### Mary**C ushmac**  **, Env**  **ironmental Protection A** **gency**  **Hazards and Potential Exposures**  

### Daniel Almaguer **, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health** 

5  **Spray Polyurethane Processes and Best Practices**   

### Janet Carter **, Occupations Safety & Health A** **dministration**  **An O**  **SHA**

**P erspectiv** **e on Employer Responsibilities**   

### Neeva **- Gayle Candelori,**  **Am erican**  **Chemistry Council**  **- CPI**   **Industry’s new s**  **tew ardship**  **program**  

### Kurt Reisenburg**, Spray Polyurethane Foam A** **lliance**  **Worker best practices**

# Federal SPF Project Goals: **1.** 

### Improve availability**o f accurate and**  **comprehensive hazard & risk information**  **2.** 

### Develop and communicate **improved “**  **Best Practices**  **” to prevent**  **exposures**

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### Accurately**m arket SPF benefits**  **and communicate**  **need for safe practices 4.**  

### Conduct **research to address exposure**  **assessment and data gaps**

# Chemical Right **- to**  **- Know** 
 

### Promote stewardship **throughout the supply**  **chain**  

### Protect workers & consumers **– informed of**  **hazards**

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### Consumer **/ homeowner is well**  **- informed**   

### Promotes Green Chemistry**/ Safer**  **alternatives and practices**

## Effective **Green Building Practices**  **EPA Green Building Goal**  **- “To facilitate**  **the mainstream adoption**  **of effective**  **green building practices”**  

### Why**S pray** **P oly**  **urethane Foam is valuable:**   **An important tool to help achieve energy**  **efficiency**  **Numerous performance**  **attributes**

8  **3 -** **6x R -** **va lue**  **of other insulation**  **Vapor barrier**  **Moisture barrier (closed cell)**  **Structural strengthener (closed cell)**  **Fills all gaps and crev ices** 

**-- thermal**  **break**  **Stops air infiltration**  **Reduces noise**  **Can be made, in part,**  **from sustainable resources**  **(e.g. soy**  **p oly** **ols)**

# Alternative **Insulation Technologies**  

### Fiberglass, cotton, and mineral wool  

### Fiberglass and cellulose mixed with an adhesive can be wet sprayed into wall cavities and have an R-value per inch similar to low density SPF.

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### Rigid foam board products that can be used for some applications.  

### Cementations and tripolymer foam products can also be poured into walls or behind special netting.

# Advertising and Marketing **Claims Examples:**   **“No off -**  **gassing”, “non**  **- toxic”, “safe”...foam**   **“green” and “environmentally friendly**  **”**  **...”plant -**  **based”**

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## Principles of Sound Marketing:  

### FTC Act // FTC “Green Guides”  

### Substantiate **“Green” claims**  

### Deception **is the representation,**  **omission, or practice that could**  **mislead the consumer** 

# Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) - Hazards and Potential Exposures

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### Mary**C ushmac**  **Office of Pollution**  **Prevention and T oxics**  **U.S. Environmental Protection Agency** 

## Outline  

## Important Considerations  

## Chemical Composition of SPF  

## Health Ef

fects  

## Exposures

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## Hazard Communication

## Why is this Issue Important?  

## American Resource and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 is investing billions of dollars to promote green jobs & energy ef ficiency.  

## Use of SPF has increased 60% in the last five years.

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## With widespread use of SPF to retrofit buildings to conserve energy, the entire industry needs to ensure that SPF installation is carried out in a safe manner to protect workers, helpers, building occupants, and consumers.

# Chemical Composition of SPF  

## Side A – Isocyanates  

### Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI)  

### pMDI (50% MDI)  

## Side B – Polyol Blend (variable/proprietary) Polyols (certain % biobased)

14   Flame retardants  Blowing agents  Amine or metal catalysts  Surfactants **A + B**   **POL YURETHANE**  **FOAM**

# Health Effects - Isocyanates (Side A)  

### Isocyanates cause asthma and are the leading attributable cause of work- related asthma.  

### Isocyanates are potent lung and skin sensitizers (allergens) and irritants. Isocyanates can trigger severe or fatal asthma attacks

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### in sensitized persons at low levels.  

### MDI is a hazardous air pollutant – Clean Air Act  

### NIOSH issued an Alert in 2006 to prevent MDI exposures for a similar spray application.  

### The European Union has issued new regulations for consumer products containing MDI.

# Potential Health Effects - Polyol Blend (Side B) Proprietary Chemical Ingredients :  

## Amines (catalysts) – sensitizers; irritants; can cause blurry vision (halo effect).

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## Flame retardants – some are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic  

## Blowing agents – global warming potential and other considerations

# Exposures – Spray Application  

## Vapor, mist, particulates (isocyanates, amines) can migrate to other rooms or floors.

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# Exposures – Trimming Foam  

## Cutting, scraping foam that is not fully cured generates dust that may contain isocyanates.

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# Exposures – Do - It-Yourself Projects  

### Do - it-yourselfers are often unaware of the hazards, the need to prevent skin, eye, and inhalation exposure, and the proper type of protections to use.

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# Exposures – Consumer Use  

## Consumers using spray foam canisters for insulation, sealing cracks, or creative arts are often unaware of the hazards and the need to prevent skin, eye and inhalation exposures.

20 Photos Courtesy

Dow Chemical

# Ty pes of SPF Insulation/Sealants
 **Tw o**  **- Component:**  **> over 80 million lbs. sold in a y** **ear***  **Professional –**  **55 gal. drums**  **Do -**  **It -** **Yo urself**  **– large quantities also**   **Retail, hardw**  **are, internet**  **purchase**  **One Component: > Over 50 mil.**  **lbs. sold in a y ear** * **(or over 60 mil.**  **cans) –**  **fills, seals, and insulates gaps** 

21  **One Component: > Over 50 mil.**  **lbs. sold in a y ear** * **(or over 60 mil.**  **cans) –**  **fills, seals, and insulates gaps**   **Consumer**  **12 oz. can (market**  **leader); also 16 oz., 20 oz.**   **Plastic straw** **a pplicator**  **included**  **Professional & Do -**  **It -** **Yo urself**   **20 oz.,**  **24 oz ., 26 oz., 30 oz., 33 oz.**   **Ty pically** 

**g un delivery** 

**o r applicator**  **tool for precise control,**  **sold separately** ***** **Data Courtesy CPI** 

# Other Considerations
 

### Long term stability of polyurethane foam:  

### Fully cured polyurethane foam is not considered a problem unless disturbed.  

### Heating, welding, or grinding generates free

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### isocyanates and other hazards.  

### Fires and thermal degradation can generate and release hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, amines, and isocyanates.

# Assessing Exposures  

## Data are needed to accurately assess the potential for exposures with variable applications & product formulations:  

## Measuring total isocyanates.

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###  

## Other substances.  

## Answering the question – When can occupants, residents, and school children re enter the premises after SPF application?

# Hazard Communication and Right- to - Know  

### Many applicators, helpers, do - it-yourselfers, consumers, homeowners, and decision makers are unaware of the potential hazards.  

### Some marketing information is misleading – focuses on “green” aspects and does not address potential

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### hazards.  

### EPA has compared Material Safety Data Sheets and found that the health and safety information for MDI based isocyanates (Side A) is not consistent among distributers of SPF insulation.  

### All products should be properly labeled by manufacturers/distributors (FHSA requirement).

# Hazard Communication and Right- to - Know  

### The SPF industry needs to ensure :  

### There is clear hazard communication for all SPF users – applicators, helpers, do - it-yourselfers, consumers, and decision makers.

25  Consumers are not usually familiar with MSDS and need clear hazard warnings.  

### The work site is restricted to only those wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.  

### Guidance is provided on re - entry time.  

### Marketing claims are accurate and balanced.

# Federal Panel **Concluding Remarks**

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## Re - Cap  

## SPF industry needs to ensure that operations are carried out in a safe and healthful manner.  

## SPF application presents the same hazards as spray- on truck bed liner operations and requires the same level of protection (NIOSH ALERT).

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## Product formulation/composition, applicator technique, temperature, humidity, and product disturbance over time are important factors that impact curing time and potential exposures.  

## Challenge : Guidance is needed on ventilation, exposure controls, clean - up, and re - entry time.

## Re - Cap  

## Manufacturers need to ensure their products can be applied safely and are properly labeled.  

## Employers need to communicate hazards, train workers, control exposures, and ensure all workers are adequately protected.

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## Training needs to be widely available, integrate health and safety with performance, and repeated.  

## Challenge : Best practices need to be developed, shared, and implemented to reduce exposures.

# Re - Cap  

### Challenge : Provide data that accurately assesses exposures with variable applications and product formulations:  

### Measuring total isocyanates.  

### How formulation, product composition,

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### temperature, humidity, and technique impact curing (understanding tack-free versus fully cured exposure potentials).  

### Answering the question – When can occupants, residents, school children, and others re - enter the premises after SPF application?

# Federal Outreach Activities  

### Inform stakeholders  SPF Workshop, Phoenix, AZ  Webinar – Dec 2, 2009  

### Engage key**s takeholders**  **, seeking assistance wi**  **th:** Communication to spray applicators, customers, and others

30   Consistent use of best practices  Promote informed marketing  Exposure monitoring and other data gaps  

### Communicate **with specific audiences**  Website information  Print and Media -- e.g. articles in the building trade press  Conference and trade show p resentations

# Key Actions **Going Forward**  **Quickly communicate hazard / safety** **i nformation**  **to wo**  **rkers and customers**   Federal agency we bsites  ACC - CPI and SPFA’s “Tier 1” guidance ready adoption  **Augment health and safety t**  **raining**  Enhance training, specialize training, and expand offerings  Spray foam applicators

31  Weatherization programs  **Emphasize sound marketing**  **Employ enhanced practices to improve protection**   SPF worksite management plans  Role of engineering controls, including ventilation  Safety procedures for DIY low p ressure two - part SPF  Occupant re - entry considerations.  **Conduct analy sis and research on exposure**  **monitoring and other needs** 

## Sources of Information on SPF:
 **EPA:** www.  **OSHA** Website: **www.osha.gov**  **http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/isocyanates/index.htm**  **NIOSH** Website: **www.cdc.gov/NIOSH**  **http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/isocyanates/**  **NIOSH** 800 Number: 1 - 800 - CDC - INFO  **EPA** : **http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/auto/profile/**

32  **CPSC** Website: **www.cpsc.gov**  CPSC Chronic Hazard Guidelines: **http://cpsc.gov**

**/BUSINFO/chronic.pdf**  **ACC -**  **CPI** (Center for the Polyurethanes Industry) website– **www.polyurethane.org** – many publications on MDI and other isocyanates.  **http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_api/SF_index.asp**  **SPFA** - **http://www.sprayfoam.org/**  **ACC -**  **CPI** -- SPF Health and Safety Protection – summary of safe use practices **http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_api/SF_index.asp**

# Questions and Answers

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# Workshop Wrap Up Slides

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## Contact Information: **EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides**  **and Toxic Substances:**  **Mary**

**Cushmac -**  cushmac.mary@epa.gov  **Carol Hetfield**  **-** hetfield.carol@epa.gov **EPA Green Building:**   **Bill Hanson**  **-** hanson.bill@epa.gov  **Bill Sw**  **ietlik -**  swietlik.william@epa.gov **NIOSH:**  **Dan Almaguer** **-** dla3@cdc.gov

35  **Dan Almaguer** **-** dla3@cdc.gov **OSHA -**   **Janet Carter** **-** carter.janet@dol.gov **CPSC**  **Trey**

**Thomas –**  tthomas@cpsc.gov **ACC -**  **CPI**  **Neev a**  **- Gay**  **le Candilori -**  Neeva_Candelori@americanchemistry.com **SPFA**  **Kurt Reisenberg**  **-** kurtriesenberg@sprayfoam.org

# Upcoming Webinar: “What You Need to Know About the Safe Use of Spray Polyurethane Foam" **Panelists:** EPA, NIOSH, OSHA, CPSC

ACC - CPI and SPFA **Wednesday , December**  **2, 2009**

36 1:00 – 3:00 pm EST To register for the Webinar, please visit **https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/800171944** 

## For Slides of this SPF Workshop **(Phoenix),** 

## contact

**: hetfield.carol@epa.gov**