Isocyanates in paint

What have some of you done to lessen the risks in terms of:

-Paint alternatives (are there different hardeners or good paint systems that don't contain iso's?)

-Methods (outdoor spraying, brushing, etc.)

-Protection (build your own?)

-Bite the bullet and buy a supplied air system? (Is there a resale or rental market for this stuff?)

Just want to stay healthy and financially solvent.

Thanks for sharing any tips or experiences you've had.

As the others have said iso's are bad. If you can have a well ventilated area, a regular full face cartridge mask will work well. Using an HVLP - High Volume Low Pressure gun will also do well. The main thing is to stay protected, the isocyanates are there. When you paint, sand or even during clean up of any over spray on the floor. Air supplied would be the best way, if you had access to an up to date paint shop. Otherwise a twin cartridge full face mask is the next alternative.
Just keep youself from breathing the crud. As was said; if you can smell it, taste it. The mask is not fitted correctly (Sealing), and the cartridges must be rated. Have shot gallons of Polyurethane paint on aircraft, and am doing well.
The main thing is to be safe, also keep others away during mixing, spraying and clean up.

Sincerely,
A-7D / F-16 Painter/Airframe Repairer

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I have extensive experience with auto paints (as both a mixer and painter).
The hazards from isocyanates are very real, in fact, a former co-worker spent 3 days in the hospital because of isocyanate poisoning. If you follow tha basic rules of painting, you will have no problems and also minimize your risk of isocyanate poisoning.
1. Use a quality respirator-NOT a particle mask.
(If you can smell or "taste" the paint, your filters need to be changed or you don't have the right mask for the job.
2. Wear rubber gloves and avoid skin contact with the chemicals.
3. Ensure adequate ventilation. Outdoor spraying is fine if you can live with all of the dirt "goobers" which are flying around and seem to be unusually attracted to your fresh paint.
4. Heat helps. A heated booth (or warm outdoor temperatures/low humidity allow the paint to begin drying faster and minimize the attack of the "goobers."
5. Definitely use hardeners-they produce a more durable and chip-resistant finish. Old-fashioned synthetic enamel (such as NAPA/Martin-Senour "Synthol") will heat cure without using a hardening agent, but are not as desirable as more modern paints.
You don't need a supplied air or positive-pressure system to safely guard against iso's, so save your money.
Hope this info helps.
Good Luck.
MarkG

Its good to do research on this stuff, but I don't think the non-aerosol vapors are as hazardous nor are you in a continious exposure situation, painting every day. Check your MSD sheets..... ...Dell

Irritation
Sensitization and asthma
Hypersensitivity Pheumonitis
Cancer

As an example I'll quote from the CDC's website about 1 case of isocyanate exposure:

Two police officers developed asthma-like illness after a single exposure to TDI in the immediate vicinity of a tank car that had overturned on the highway [Luo et al. 1990]. After briefly directing traffic at the accident scene, both officers received medical care for severe symptoms, including burning eyes, throat irritation, cough, chest tightness, and difficult breathing. Treatment included steroids and a bronchodilator.

Both police officers developed a chronic bronchospastic disorder after their relatively brief exposure to high concentrations of TDI. Though considerable improvement has occurred in both cases, symptoms have persisted for more than 7 years. The estimated amount of inhaled isocyanate was the equvilant of painting an automobile with no breathing apparatus.

This is nothing to fool with.

Rodney

It does not take 50K gallons to cause a problem. One ill informed mistake is all it takes to cause problems for a lifetime.

Pop used to paint an occasional car and would only wear particle masks. Maybe one every three-four years. Until he died he had lung problems for years. Never smoked either.

Lookie lookie at MarkGs post above. I betcha he is a much more informed authority on this since he is active in the field. Do a searchie searchie on Isocyanate. This stuff is nothing to fool with and to tell someone that the non-aerosol vapors are not hazardous is wrong and you need to admit it bucko. Understand???

Respectfully,
Rodney

I absolutely agree that isocyanates are NOT benign. Read 'em again, I didn't say it was NON-HAZARDOUS.

I said "Its good to do research on this stuff, but I don't think the non-aerosol vapors are as hazardous nor are you in a continuous exposure situation, painting every day. Check your MSD sheets..... ...Dell

ah yes, the comparison of exposure from a 50,000 gal tank spill vs the 1 gal of paint required to paint your tractor. Good comparison, good science. As I said, consult your MSD sheets. It's NOT benign, but I fault your logic..... ... respectfully, Dell"

And you said "This stuff is nothing to fool with and to tell someone that the non-aerosol vapors are not hazardous is wrong and you need to admit it bucko. Understand???"

Read 'em again, I didn't say NON-HAZARDOUS.
Its called personal responsiblility, check your MSD sheets..... .....respectfully, Dell

Who appearently didn't make it understandable enough for Rodney to understand DO NOT SNIFF THAT STUFF, it'll fry yer brains, and for that I apologize