Isocyanates

Overview

Isocyanates are used to make polyurethane, a synthetic material that has many commercial and industrial uses. The most common forms of isocyanates are toluene diisocyanate (TDI), methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI).

Isocyanates are extremely hazardous. You are exposed when you breathe the vapors or get the chemicals on your skin (which will absorb Isocyanates like a sponge). Isocyanates don’t have a distinctive odor, so you cannot use your sense of smell to protect you.