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Isoprene is a heat-sensitive organic compound found naturally in the human body and environment. It is emitted by trees and plants in response to heat and can mix with other substances to create greenhouse gases. Isoprene is a hazardous material in the US and can cause cancer in animals, but there are no confirmed human tests. It is used in industrial settings to make synthetic rubbers and thermoplastics, but caution is required due to its flammability and explosive vapors.
Isoprene is a heat sensitive organic compound. It occurs naturally in the human body and the environment at relatively low concentrations. When mined for industrial use, the chemical can usually be found as a clear liquid.
Different types of trees and plants tend to contain isoprene. The heat generated by the sun can cause the substance to be emitted from the leaves of these plants. Once the isoprene has been released, it can mix with other substances in the atmosphere to create greenhouse gases such as carbon monoxide.
This process has mainly been observed in tropical and subtropical areas. The emissions are thought to act as a defense mechanism to prevent the sun from damaging plants. Because this process is initiated by heat, emissions are typically found to be lower at night and during colder weather.
Isoprene is believed to be the most commonly found hydrocarbon in the human body. If you analyze a person’s breath, it is likely that this substance is present. Research suggests that a 150 lb (70 kg) human produces about 17 mg of isoprene per day. This should not, however, encourage people to believe that contact with the chemical is harmless.
Laboratory tests on animals have led to the belief that isoprene can cause cancer in humans. Tests revealed that exposure to the chemical caused tumors to form in various organs of the samples. There are no recognized human tests that confirm these beliefs.
In the United States, however, isoprene is designated as a hazardous material. This means that authorities tend to believe that it poses risks to the environment or human health. As such, the chemical is subject to special regulations that dictate how it should be labelled, used and disposed of. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) should be available in workplaces where this substance is used or stored.
Isoprene is a component of natural rubber and is often used in industrial settings to make products such as synthetic rubbers and thermoplastics. Great caution is generally required when using this chemical. Just as it is sensitive to the heat of the sun, it can also react to other heat sources. It tends to be highly flammable and can even be ignited by a spark. Its vapors can also create an explosive environment.
This substance is naturally emitted by the sun. For industrial purposes, it is often extracted by thermal cracking of naphtha, a mixture of flammable hydrocarbons. It can also be released by human activities such as wood burning and cigarette smoking.
