RR828 - Occupational exposure to MbOCA (4,4'-methylene-bis-ortho-chloroaniline) and isocyanates in polyurethane manufacture
HSE has initiated workstrands that aim to deliver evidence that will help HSE to identify carcinogens of concern, to improve the control of carcinogens, and to provide a sound baseline for evaluating strategies for intervention. This project aimed to review the effectiveness of interventions (past and present) with respect to their impact upon the use of and exposure to carcinogens and carcinogenic processes - by providing up to date intelligence on levels of exposure control in the MbOCA (methylene-bis-ortho-chloro-aniline) user industry. During the period 2005/06 20 of the estimated 25 sites handling MbOCA were visited to record qualitative and quantitative measures of exposure control, and to take action on any deficiencies encountered. This project has revisited this industry in order to compare current data with previous exposure data. This will provide HSE with information on whether controls have improved since inspections took place during the 2005/06 period, and by updating HSE's baseline for assessing improvements in controls following future interventions. The study found that there have been no significant changes in MbOCA use and exposure control in the GB polyurethane industry since the HSE's 2005/6 intervention.
This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.
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