Is Polyurethane Dangerous?
reacted polyurethane polymer, CAS # 9009-54-5 (CAS registry number), is chemically inert. In the United States, no exposure limits have been established by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) or ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). It is not regulated by OSHA for carcinogenicity. Polyurethane polymer is a combustible solid and will ignite if exposed to an open flame for a sufficient period of time. Decomposition products include carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and hydrogen cyanide. Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus in enclosed areas. When heated above about 200°C the PU polymer will thermally degrade and emit not only the isocyanates it was made from but also a number of mono isocyanates like methyl isocyanate (MIC) and isocyanic acid (ICA), depending on the type of PU being heated. Heating of any PU material (e. g. soft foam, paint dust after sanding, textiles, PU painted flooring etc.) should be avoided at
