Book Reviews
H. ULRICH ible to deal with topics in an introduc-Analytical chemistry is vital to the observance of workplace exposure lim-Chemistry and Technology of Isocy-tory manner. Those interested in these matters will find some key citations, anates its. Some approaches are summarised, although they are not effective for the John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester, although several important aspects are not covered. 1996; 514 pp; £80.00 aerosols that commonly occur in practice. The critical importance of the early diagnosis of cases of isocyanate asthma This excellent and erudite book on Summaries of the manufacture, use and recycling of polyurethanes are organic and inorganic isocyanates is and the removal of patients from further exposure is not stressed. The biological directed primarily at the synthesis and given. The fire testing of cellular polyurethanes is noted, but not their combus-reactions of these versatile chemicals.
chemistry and toxicology of isocyanates is dealt with superficially. The systemic There are extensive recent references.
tion toxicology. This book will mainly interest syn-Relatively few isocyanates are indus-effects of methyl isocyanate, for example, are not distinguished from the trially important; their main large-vol-thetic chemists, for whom it provides extensive coverage. It will be of only ume uses are in the manufacture of non-systemic effects of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) or diphenylmethane diisocy-polyurethanes.
limited use as a prime source of information on the applied toxicology of iso-The toxicological properties, safety anate (MDI).
The environmental behaviour of TDI aspects and environmental impact of cyanates. isocyanates and polyurethanes are allo-and MDI, dominated by their hydrolysis to insoluble polyureas with low biologi-cated 12 of the 482 pages in the book. Within this limited space it is only poss-cal impact, is not discussed. D. C. ALLPORT