Editing Polyurethane (section)

==Health and safety==
Fully reacted polyurethane polymer is chemically [[wikt:inert|inert]].<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=5903304 |url=http://journals.lww.com/joem/Citation/1966/02000/Health_Hazards_Associated_with_Polyurethane_Foams.2.aspx |year=1966 |last1=Dernehl |first1=C. U. |title=Health hazards associated with polyurethane foams |journal=Journal of Occupational Medicine |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=59–62 }}</ref> No exposure limits have been established in the U.S. by OSHA ([[Occupational Safety and Health Administration]]) or ACGIH ([[American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists]]). It is not regulated by OSHA for carcinogenicity.

[[File:Flame Retardant Research - LDH materials (16241017250).jpg|thumb|upright=2|Open-flame test. Top: untreated polyurethane foam burns vigorously. Bottom: with fire-retardant treatment.]]

Polyurethanes are combustible.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nssga.org/safetyhealth/polyurethaneexposure0204.pdf |title=Health Alert: Polyurethane exposure |access-date=2009-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041019005215/http://www.nssga.org/safetyhealth/polyurethaneexposure0204.pdf |archive-date=2004-10-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Decomposition from fire can produce significant amounts of carbon monoxide and [[hydrogen cyanide]], in addition to nitrogen oxides, isocyanates, and other toxic products.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1186/s40038-016-0012-3 |title=The fire toxicity of polyurethane foams |journal=Fire Science Reviews |volume=5 |page=3 |year=2016 |last1=McKenna |first1=Sean Thomas |last2=Hull |first2=Terence Richard |issue=1 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Due to the flammability of the material, it has to be treated with [[flame retardant]]s (at least in case of furniture), almost all of which are considered harmful.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/environmental-profiles-chemical-flame-retardant-alternatives-low-density-polyurethane |title=Environmental Profiles of Chemical Flame-Retardant Alternatives for Low-Density Polyurethane Foam |date=September 2005 |publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency |url=http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/flameret/about.htm |title=Flame Retardants Used in Flexible Polyurethane Foam – Draft Update to a 2005 Alternatives Assessment |date= June 2014}}</ref> California later issued Technical Bulletin 117 2013 which allowed most polyurethane foam to pass flammability tests without the use of flame retardants. Green Science Policy Institute states: "Although the new standard can be met without flame retardants, it does NOT ban their 
use. Consumers who wish to reduce household exposure to flame retardants can look for a TB117-2013 tag on furniture, and verify with retailers that products do not contain flame retardants."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://greensciencepolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/TB117-2013_manufacturers_021114.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219212201/http://greensciencepolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/TB117-2013_manufacturers_021114.pdf |archive-date=2015-12-19 |url-status=live |title=Manufacturers |date=2015 |website=greensciencepolicy.org }}</ref>

Liquid resin blends and [[isocyanate]]s may contain hazardous or regulated components. Isocyanates are known skin and respiratory sensitizers. Additionally, amines, glycols, and phosphate present in spray polyurethane foams present risks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2012/03/sprayfoam/ |publisher=CDC |website=NIOSH Science Blog |title=Help Wanted: Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation Research|date=21 March 2012 }}</ref>

Exposure to chemicals that may be emitted during or after application of [[Spray foams (insulation)|polyurethane spray foam]] (such as isocyanates) are harmful to human health and therefore special precautions are required during and after this process.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=4 August 2015|title=Quick Safety Tips for Spray Polyurethane Foam Users|url=https://archive.epa.gov/epa/saferchoice/quick-safety-tips-spray-polyurethane-foam-users.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=|publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency}}</ref>

In the United States, additional health and safety information can be found through organizations such as the Polyurethane Manufacturers Association (PMA) and the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI), as well as from polyurethane system and raw material manufacturers. Regulatory information can be found in the [[Code of Federal Regulations]] Title 21 (Food and Drugs) and Title 40 (Protection of the Environment). In Europe, health and safety information is available from ISOPA,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.isopa.org |title=Home : ISOPA |website=www.isopa.org}}</ref> the European Diisocyanate and Polyol Producers Association.