SleepTech July - August 2018

101
tions and industry practices, TDI
can be used safely. Engineering
controls, personal protective
equipment, and long-established
workplace practices are widely
used throughout the industry to
protect workers and the public.
Traditionally CFC (chlorinated fluorocarbons)
based solvents were
used as blowing agents. In the
late 80’s, the ozone layer depletion
effect of CFC based chemical
was established. The use of CFC
was gradually banned. Methylene
chloride, which is inert to ozone, is
used as a substitute for CFC.
Lots of “offcuts” are generated in
the foam cutting process. They are
collected and sent to the associated
recycle plant to produce a
lower grade flexible foam. This
type of foam is widely used in the
production of carpet backings and
packing materials. By this way the
net amount of waste produced in
the process can be minimized.
TDI should only be handled by
knowledgeable, well-trained
personnel who thoroughly understand
the hazards associated with
the transportation, storage, and
use of the chemical. Contaminated
clothing must be washed before
reuse. Severely contaminated
clothing should be discarded.
Contaminated footwear or leather
gloves should never be reused.
Eating and drinking should not be
allowed where TDI is handled or
stored.
POLYOL in polymer chemistry used
in mattresses
The other reacting species required
to produce polyurethanes
are compounds that contain
multiple alcohol groups (OH),
called polyols. In polymer chemistry,
polyols are compounds with
multiple hydroxyl functional groups
available for organic reactions. A
molecule with two hydroxyl groups
is a diol, one with three is a triol,