ISO 17736-2010 PDF

Full title and description

Workplace air quality — Determination of isocyanate in air using a double-filter sampling device and analysis by high pressure liquid chromatography. This International Standard gives guidance for sampling and laboratory analysis of airborne organic isocyanates (monomers, oligomers and prepolymers) in workplace air using a segregating double‑filter sampler and HPLC-based analysis with on‑filter derivatization.

Abstract

ISO 17736:2010 specifies a double‑filter (segregating) sampling technique with immediate field derivatization of collected material and subsequent high‑performance liquid chromatography analysis to quantify gas‑ and particle‑phase isocyanates (e.g. TDI, MDI, HDI, IPDI, HMDI) for short‑term (typically 15 min) personal or fixed‑location monitoring, with an extended sampling option for vapour‑only situations. The method includes notes on limitations (for very fast‑reacting aerosols) and the applicable measurement range in NCO equivalent.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard — confirmed on review).
• Publication date: December 2010 (approved 26 November 2010; published Dec 2010).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 13.040.30 — Workplace atmospheres / workplace air quality.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2010).
• Number of pages: 27 pages (ISO published length).

Key bibliographic and lifecycle details are recorded on the ISO catalogue entry for ISO 17736:2010.

Scope

ISO 17736:2010 applies to organic compounds containing free isocyanate functional groups and provides procedures for sampling and quantifying monomers, oligomers and prepolymers in both vapour and aerosol form in workplace atmospheres. The method is intended primarily for short‑term exposure measurements (15‑minute samples) by personal or fixed monitors, but permits longer sampling (up to an 8 h period) when vapour only is expected. The standard also identifies potential limitations (for example, aerosol-to‑vapour migration on filters in certain spray applications).

Key topics and requirements

• Double‑filter (segregating) sampling device with immediate on‑filter derivatization to stabilize isocyanates in the field.
• Analysis by high‑performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of the derivatized samples to quantify isocyanate species.
• Applicability to aromatic and aliphatic diisocyanates and to oligomeric/prepolymeric isocyanates (e.g., TDI, MDI, HDI, IPDI, HMDI).
• Designed for short‑term (≈15 min) measurements; extension to full‑shift sampling possible when vapour‑phase only is expected.
• Performance range expressed as NCO equivalent (method sensitivity and useful range given for typical sample volumes).
• Notes on method limitations and potential sampling artefacts (e.g., aerosol migration between filters, very fast‑reacting systems like some spray foams).

Technical details, performance criteria and recommended sample volumes are specified in the standard text.

Typical use and users

Occupational hygienists, industrial safety professionals, laboratory analysts, and regulatory bodies use ISO 17736:2010 for assessing worker exposure to isocyanates in industries such as polyurethane production and processing, spray‑foam and coating applications, adhesives and composite manufacture. The method supports both personal exposure assessments and fixed‑location monitoring for compliance, exposure control and exposure‑reduction program design.

Related standards

ISO 17736:2010 is part of a set of ISO documents addressing organonitrogen/isocyanate analysis in workplace air. Closely related standards include ISO 17734‑1:2013 (determination of isocyanates using dibutylamine derivatives with LC–MS/LC) and ISO 17734‑2:2013 (amines and aminoisocyanates), which provide alternative reagents and analytical approaches and are commonly used alongside or as complements to the double‑filter HPLC method.

Keywords

isocyanate, workplace air, sampling, double-filter, segregating sampler, derivatization, HPLC, occupational hygiene, MDI, TDI, HDI, IPDI, NCO equivalent, short‑term exposure

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17736:2010 is an International Standard that specifies a double‑filter sampling and HPLC analysis method for measuring airborne organic isocyanates in workplace air.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers field sampling using a segregating two‑filter device with immediate on‑filter derivatization, laboratory HPLC analysis of derivatized samples, applicable isocyanates (monomers, oligomers, prepolymers), typical sampling durations and method limitations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Occupational hygienists, industrial safety teams, accredited analytical laboratories, and regulators monitoring and managing worker exposure to isocyanates.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 17736:2010 is published and was confirmed on review; users should check the ISO catalogue or their national standards body for any subsequent revisions or replacements before relying on it for compliance work.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of a family of ISO documents addressing organonitrogen compounds and isocyanate analysis in air (for example ISO 17734‑1 and ISO 17734‑2), which cover alternative sampling/derivatization reagents and LC–MS based analyses.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: isocyanate, workplace air, double‑filter sampling, HPLC, derivatization, occupational hygiene, NCO equivalent, short‑term monitoring.