Methyl Isocyanate

“ METHYL ISOCYANATE ”
1) Concept:
 Methyl isocyanate (isocyanic acid methyl ester, MIC), is a product
that is used as an intermediate in the production of carbamate
pesticides and herbicides, mainly for protection against fungi
in agriculture; It is also used in the manufacture of flexible
and rigid polyurethane foams and in obtaining polyurethane
resins for the manufacture of paints and varnishes.
 It is a highly toxic and very reactive product that polymerizes in the
presence of certain reagents such as iron or chlorides.
 Some of its properties are the following:
- PROPERTIES:
MOLECULAR 57.06
WEIGHT
MOLECULAR C2H3NO
FORM:
SOLUBILITY: It dissolves without decomposition in
hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons and
dimethyl sulfoxide. HE
It decomposes in water and in solvents with a
hydroxyl group.
MELTING POINT: -45ºC
BOILING POINT 39ºC
VAPOR 46.4 kPa at 20°C
PRESSURE:
DENSITY: 2 times that of air
EXPLOSIVITY lower 5.3% and upper 26% (concentration in air)
LIMIT
 Methyl isocyanate (MIC) is a mono-isocyanate and must be

distinguished from diisocyanates.
 At room temperature MIC is a clear liquid with an intense and
unpleasant odor.
 Partially soluble in water although, in contact with water and
hydrated agents, it reacts violently producing a large amount of
heat.
2) ID:
 Methyl isocyanate is a volatile liquid, it can be identified by its
strong, pungent odor that causes tearing.
 The NFPA diamond of the MIC is:
This rhombus tells us that it is very risky for health; is highly

flammable; It is an unstable substance in case of violent chemical
change and water should not be used with the substance.
3) Product manufacturing process.

“Methyl isocyanate is normally synthesized from the reaction of
monomethylamine and phosgene . For large-scale production, it is
convenient to combine the reactants at high temperatures in the gas phase.
A mixture of methyl isocyanate and two moles of hydrochloric acid form
N-methylcarbamyol chloride (MCC). This mixture is condensed, leaving
one mole of hydrochloric acid as a gas.
“Methyl isocyanate is obtained by treating MCC with a tertiary amine,

such as dimethylaniline or pyridine . It can also be obtained by separation
using some distillation techniques .”
4) Uses and applications.
 The main use of MIC is as an intermediary in the production

of pesticides. It has also been used in the production of
polymers. Photolytic cleavage of N-methyldithiocarbamate
releases some MIC, which may occur at the time of pesticide
application (Geddes, 1995).
 MIC is found in tobacco smoke: the content measured in the
mainstream varies between 1.5 and 5 μg per cigarette
(IARC, 1986).
 MIC has also been identified in emissions from the heating of
sand and mineral wool cores, due to the breakdown or
chemical transformation of carbamide resin binders.
Exposure measurements made in foundries indicate that MIC
appears primarily when hot box cores are used in mold
cooling.
 MIC appears in isocyanate mixtures created by the thermal
breakdown of polyurethane lacquers based on HDI
(hexamethylene diisocyanate) or TDI (toluene diisocyanate)
during welding, cutting and polishing operations in car repair
shops.
 In a study of isocyanates in polyurethane industries in
Sweden, MIC levels around 3 ppb (molding), 0.2 ppb (flame
lamination) and 0.04 ppb (UV lamination) were found.
 It is used to manufacture polyurethane foams and plastics.
5) Impact on people's health.

The substance is toxic to both humans and animals:
 Routes of Entry of the Substance into the Body
 Respiratory route
 Gastrointestinal tract
 Dermal route
 Organs Affected by Exposure
 Eyes
 Skin
 Respiratory system
 Gastrointestinal system
Exposure Signs and symptoms

Eyes Irritation. Some cases of conjunctivitis, heavy
tearing, severe corneal ulcers and permanent
eye damage.
Fur Irritation, redness, swelling, and occasional
burns. The substance can be absorbed
through the skin to toxic levels.
Respiratory system Irritation, nosebleed, rhinitis, runny nose,
cough, pain when swallowing, feeling of
shortness of breath, pulmonary and laryngeal
edema, fatigue, and chest pain. It can cause
hypotension, central nervous system
depression, excitement, seizures, and death.
Gastrointestinal Irritation, pain when swallowing, abundant
System saliva secretion, nausea, spontaneous
vomiting, abdominal pain and possible
diarrhea. It can cause digestive bleeding, low
blood pressure, depression of the central
nervous system, excitement, seizures and
death.
 The Department of Health and Human Services

(DHHS), the International Agency for Research on
Cancer , has determined that exposure to Methyl
Isocyanate does not cause cancer.
 A case that became known worldwide of the effects of Methyl
Isocyanate was reflected in the Bhopal disaster.
The Bhopal disaster occurred due to human error , in which between

8,000 and 25,000 people died.
“ The gas leak in the Indian city of Bhopal that caused one of the
worst industrial catastrophes in history 30 years ago today with
thousands of deaths, still affects a third generation of children who
are born with malformations, mental retardation or deafness .” El
Comercio, 2014
Effects of MIC on the

people of Bhopal.
This is
how the
factory
looked
like after
the
disaster in
Bhopal.
6) In the environment:
Like the one in Bhopal, many other serious accidents have

occurred in the world since monoculture agriculture with intensive
use of agrochemicals was imposed. The air, soil, water and food
have been contaminated, causing serious imbalances in
ecosystems, death and reduction of wildlife, also generating
negative impacts on agricultural biodiversity, which has caused
changes in the cropping pattern, accelerating the processes of
deforestation and elimination of vegetation cover, with serious loss
of the fertility of our soils.
This substance can be dangerous for the environment; Special
attention should be paid to aquatic organisms.
 When released into the air, it will exist only as a gas.
Gaseous methyl isocyanate is rapidly degraded in air by
reacting with substances commonly occurring in the air.
Methyl isocyanate can also be degraded by moisture from
clouds or rain. It will only remain in the atmosphere for a few
hours or days before being degraded.
 In water, methyl isocyanate is rapidly degraded (within
minutes to hours) to other compounds.
 Most of the methyl isocyanate released into the soil will be
degraded to other compounds upon contact with soil
moisture. Small amounts of methyl isocyanate can evaporate
into the air.
 Methyl isocyanate does not accumulate in the food chain.
7) The most important data from your MSDS:
All the MSDS I have compared agree that methyl isocyanate is toxic,
dangerous to health. For greater knowledge of this information, I will
attach the MSDS at the end of the work.
8) Legislation for the use of this product in Latin America.
The use of the product is legal for the manufacture of pesticides,

but due to the impact that pesticides cause on the environment,
some people do not approve of it, and prefer that methyl isocyanate
be replaced:
 Replace paints based on polyurethane resins with water-

based paints or electrostatic powder application paints.
 Replace the use of toxic synthetic pesticides through
sustainable agricultural systems that include nutrient cycling,
regenerative technologies, soil fertility and water
management.
The case of Bhopal is one of the best known because many people
died, in its honor the “day of not using pesticides” was held,
remembering the people who died in that disaster.
In Latin America, the use of pesticides has caused the poisoning of
millions of people and has claimed thousands of victims, many of
them children.
9) Recommendations:
 Avoid skin contact with methyl isocyanate. Use gloves and
safety gear.
 All protective clothing must be clean, available daily, and put
on before handling the product.
 ACGIH recommends butyl rubber, natural rubber, neoprene
and Viton as protective materials.
ACCORDING TO THE METHYL ISATIONATE FACT SHEET:
 Before entering a confined space where methyl isocyanate
may be present, check to see if an explosive concentration
exists.
10) Conclusions:
With this we can conclude that methyl isocyanate is toxic to the

environment in general, and if we use it, we must do it in the correct
way and with the necessary implementation to avoid a repetition of
the Bhopal tragedy.
11) Bibliography:
 https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isocyanate_de_methyl
 http://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1270sp.pdf
 http://biblioteca.saludcapital.gov.co/img_upload/
57c59a889ca266ee6533c26f970cb14a/Isocianato%20de
%20Metilo.pdf
 http://webs.chasque.net/~rapaluy1/calendario/plaguicida.htm

Methyl Isocyanate

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“ METHYL ISOCYANATE ”

 Methyl isocyanate (MIC) is a mono-isocyanate and must be

This rhombus tells us that it is very risky for health; is highly

3) Product manufacturing process.

“Methyl isocyanate is obtained by treating MCC with a tertiary amine,

 The main use of MIC is as an intermediary in the production

5) Impact on people's health.

Exposure Signs and symptoms

 The Department of Health and Human Services

The Bhopal disaster occurred due to human error , in which between

Effects of MIC on the

Like the one in Bhopal, many other serious accidents have

7) The most important data from your MSDS:

8) Legislation for the use of this product in Latin America.

The use of the product is legal for the manufacture of pesticides,

 Replace paints based on polyurethane resins with water-

With this we can conclude that methyl isocyanate is toxic to the

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