Abstract
Certain alkyl 2-cyanoacrylate monomers have attained wide usage as adhesives in industrial, defense, and aerospace applications, and investigations are in progress to assess their value in surgical applications. To evaluate personnel exposure and to correlate odor thresholds and sensory reactions, the following method of analysis has been devised: The monomer or polymer was collected in 0.5N sodium hydroxide with the liberation of formaldehyde which is determined by use of the chromotropic acid reagent. A simulated workbench exposure was created within an exposure chamber with volunteer subjects performing operations so graduated as to produce vapor levels ranging from 1 ppm to 60 ppm. Sensory responses to these concentrations were recorded and are presented. Conclusions regarding desirable working procedures and limits of vapor concentrations are presented.