Fiberoptic Diisocyanate Personal Monitoring Device

LightLine Technologies proposes to develop a highly sensitive fiberoptic personal monitoirng device similar to a sampling badge, targeted for the simple and conventional measurement of total isocyanate and diisocyanate (I&DCY) airbourne exposure. With verymodest smapling processing (controlled heating) sensing of all types of I&DCYs will be possige and is the ptimary goal of this program. Ths same derivatization reagent can be used to provide simultaneous fiber pad adsorbent sampling for further conventional analysis so that identification and individual qualtifications of specific I&DCYs and exposure levels is enabled. Diisodcyanates and isocyanates are highly toxic and are used workd wide and on a very large scale in the producton of polyurethane and related chemical produocts. They have been directly associated with the incidende of occupational asthma. Since most exposure occurs as the chemical vapors are transported by air, and air sampling based method of high sensitivity is required. Churrent measurement methods fail to provide adequate sensing of all I&DCY species simulltaneoursly. The anticipated results of the SBIR program will be to have: 1) Determined on optical fiber based sensor fabricaton process, use procedure, and readout process that provides high sensitivity and high confidence evaluato of all isocycanate and diisocyanate vapor species in air, 2) Desiged, built and tested a prototype personal exposure sensor and readout package that accurately provides sensing capabilities for humand exposure determination in industrial environments. The commersical application of this technology is primarily as a personal sensor directed at assuring the safe use of these chemicals during the production and use of a wide range of polyurethane products. The largest potential user group is associated with automotive paint use and auto repair (auto body shops).