250 likes | 726 Views
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE - GASES, VAPORS, AND SOLVENTS. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON – DOWNTOWN FALL 2013. GAS/VAPOR. For IH purposes, a substance is a GAS if this is normal physical state at room temperature (25 degrees C) and one-atmosphere pressure. Examples : CO, Cl, Oxygen, and Nitrogen.
E N D
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE -GASES, VAPORS, AND SOLVENTS UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON – DOWNTOWN FALL 2013
GAS/VAPOR For IH purposes, a substance is a GAS if this is normal physical state at room temperature (25 degrees C) and one-atmosphere pressure. Examples: CO, Cl, Oxygen, and Nitrogen. If substance is normally a liquid at normal temperature and pressure, then the gaseous component in equilibrium with liquid state is a VAPOR. Examples: CCl4, HCOH, and Benzene.
MORE TERMS Vapor Pressure – measure of the concentration of the chemical in the air at equilibrium. Solvents are liquids in which a solute can be dissolved. -Volatility -Polarity (“like dissolves like”) -Solubility
ROUTES OF EXPOSURE • Dermal absorption • Inhalation of vapors • Aerosolized mist of the solution can cause exposure to solutes
EXPOSURE FACTORS • Temperature and Volatility • Concentration • Reactivity (air, moisture, acids and bases)
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS • Organic Solvents (Table 7-A) -Hydrocarbons contain carbon and hydrogen atoms -Halogenated hydrocarbons – chlorine, fluoride, iodine and/or bromine
HAZARDS OF GASES, LIQUIDS, SOLVENTS and VAPORS • Compressed gas – pressure build up • Cryogenic Liquids – frostbite, oxygen deficiency • Flammability • Explosions • Reactivity
HAZARDS OF GASES, LIQUIDS, SOLVENTS, AND VAPORS • Flash point - is when a liquid is the lowest temp at which it gives off enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture with the air near the surface of the liquid or in a vessel capable of flame propagation away from the source of ignition • Flammable liquid - CC flashpoint below 100 F and vapor pressure not exceeding 40 psi absolute at 100 F (Class I liquid) • Combustible Liquid - CC flashpoint at or greater than 100 F (Class II – III liquids)
HAZARDS OF GASES, LIQUIDS, SOLVENTS, AND VAPORS • Lower and Upper Flammable Limit- mixture of vapor with air that, if ignited, just propagate flame. (% by volume of vapor in air) • Flammable Range (Explosive Range) – includes all the concentrations of a vapor in air between the lower explosive limit (LEL) or lower flammable limit (LFL) and the upper explosive limit (UEL) or upper flammable limit (UFL).
IRRITANTS Solubility vs. Activity Considerations. Upper Respiratory Tract Examples: Ammonia, Acrolein, Formaldehyde, Sulfur Oxides. Lower Respiratory Tract Examples: Nitrogen Dioxide, Phosgene, Ozone. Both Upper and Lower Irritants Examples: Chlorine, Ozone.
ANESTHETICS Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants; cause narcosis. Examples: Most Aliphatic Hydrocarbons or Organic Solvents; Alcohols, Esters, Aldehydes, Ketones.
HEMOLYTIC AGENTS Cause damage to the blood or hematopoietic system. Examples: Aniline, Arsine, Benzene, Nitrobenzene.
ASPHYXIANTS Ability to deprive tissue of oxygen. Two Types: • Simple – physiologically inert gases which act by accumulating in sufficient quantity to exclude adequate oxygen supply. Examples: CO2, methane, ethane, He, H, N. • Chemical – act through direct chemical action to render the body incapable of utilizing oxygen. Examples: CO, HCN, and H2S.
HEPATOTOXIC AGENTS Adversely affect liver function. Examples: Carbon Tetrachloride, Chloroform, Nitrosamines, Tetrachloroethane.
NEPHROTOXIC AGENTS Adversely affect kidney function. Examples: Most Halogenated Hydrocarbons, Uranium, Mercury, Lead, Cadmium.
NEUROTOXIC AGENTS Interfere with proper function or cause damage to the nervous system. Examples: CNS - Organometallic Compounds, Methyl Mercury, Tetraethyl Lead. Peripheral - Arsenic, TOCP.
SENSITIZERS Agents that cause recurrent effects after the worker becomes sensitized (allergic) to the toxin. First few exposures may cause no reaction, but then reactions can occur from later contact with small quantities for very short periods of time.
CARCINOGENS Stimulate or speed the development of cancer. Examples: BCME, Vinyl Chloride, Benzidine, Chromium.
EVALUATION OF HAZARDS • Toxicity of the substance • Concentration in the breathing zone • Manner of use • Length of time of the exposure • Control in place • Employee susceptibilities
CONTROL OF HAZARDS • Substitution (i.e. benzene for toluene, xylene) • Engineering controls • PPE (respirator, gloves, eye wear)