Current Intelligence Bulletin 53 – Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) and Toluenediamine (TDA), Evidence of Carcinogenicity

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Description:
  Experimental studies in animals have demonstrated that toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a carcinogen. When rats and mice were exposed orally to commercial-grade TDI (an 80:20 mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-TDI), tumors were induced in both species. The systemic nature of TDI carcinogenicity was demonstrated by the appearance of tumors at multiple sites (pancreas, liver, skin, mammary glands, and circulatory system). Although not statistically significant, rare brain tumors were found in rats exposed to TDI (two gliomas and one pinealoma). Historical controls have a low incidence of gliomas and no reported incidence of pinealomas. Experimental studies in animals have also demonstrated that 2,4-toluenediamine (TDA), a hydrolysis product of 2,4-TDI, is a carcinogen. When rats and mice were exposed orally to TDA, tumors were induced in the livers, skin, and mammary glands of both species. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)concludes that the data on carcinogenicity provide sufficient evidence to warrant concern about the potential consequences of occupational exposure to TDI and TDA. The tumorigenic responses observed in both rats and mice treated with either TDI or TDA meet the criteria of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Cancer Policy for classifying a substance as a potential occupational carcinogen [29 CFR 1990]. Although the carcinogenic potential of the other TDI and TDA isomers has not been adequately determined, exposure to all TDI and TDA isomers should be reduced. NIOSH therefore recommends that all the isomers of TDI and TDA be regarded as potential occupational carcinogens and that occupational exposures to TDI and TDA be limited to the lowest feasible concentrations. The potential for TDI- or TDA-induced cancer in humans has not been determined, but the risk of developing cancer should be decreased by reducing exposure to TDI and TDA in the workplace. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Carcinogens Isocyanates Mutagens Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Respiratory System Safety Solvents Toluene
• Keywords:
  Exposure-limits Inhalation-studies Mutagenicity Occupational-exposure Toluenes Vapors
• Series:
  NIOSH Numbered Publications
• Subseries:
  Current Intelligence Bulletin
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB90101
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Handout/Flyer
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSDTT - Division of Standards Development and Technology Transfer
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-20
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20000291
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB90-192915
• Citation:
  Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-101, (CIB 53), 1989 Dec; :1-20
• CAS Registry Number:
  2,4-Diaminotoluene (CAS RN 95-80-7) ; Phosgene (CAS RN 75-44-5) ; Toluene 2,4-diisocyanate (CAS RN 584-84-9)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1990
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:24874a9324a76fca5ebe60e340f3de74cf857fb53ae5aa864a3be6ae2a2a0b8223774b8fa4416f85a7bf5b8f81348ee887588bee8a33fb1985f580a7e4b1f3f3
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/209778/cdc_209778_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.40 MB ]