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Applicator Exposure To Glycol Derivatives And Total Volatile Organic Compounds During The Application Of Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation, Michael Brian Kaniuga

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There is currently high demand for new building materials which are considered "environmentally friendly" or "green" for both new construction and renovations. Spray polyurethane foam (SPUF) insulation has gained significant acceptance by both consumers and the construction industry due to its high R-value, which results into significant energy savings among other things. Despite its acceptance by consumers and the construction industry, consideration must be given to potential chemical exposures to applicators installing these products.

This study sought to determine, through quantitative experimentation, if there was a release of glycol derivatives including, diethylene glycol (DEG), ethylene glycol (EG), and propylene glycol …