Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene 6 th Edition Chapter

Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene 6 th Edition Chapter 7: Gases, Vapors, and Solvents Compiled by Allen Sullivan, Assistant Professor, Safety and Health Management Central Washington University

Introduction • exposures • solvents • liquids and gases

Properties of Gases, Vapors, & Solvents • Gases • Vapors • vapor pressure • Solvents • volatility • polarity • hazards • solubility • dermal absorption • inhalation • aerosolized (solute exposure)

Critical Exposure Factors • Mode of Use • Temperature and Volatility • boiling point • pressure relationship • functional group relationship 4 carbon 6 carbon BP = 242°F BP = 175°F 3 carbon BP = 133°F

Critical Exposure Factors (cont. ) • vapor pressure • temperature relationship

Critical Exposure Factors (cont. ) • Concentration • Reactivity • Exposure Guidelines • TLVs, PELs, and RELs (MAKs in Europe) • TLVs v. PELs (private v. regulatory)

Solvents • Organic Chemistry • hydrocarbons • aliphatic • cyclic • aromatic • halogenated • ketones, esters, alcohols, and ethers • importance of nomenclature

Hazards • Compressed Gases • secure storage • proper ventilation • signage • transportation (valve cap) • protect from heat • attention to reactivity (gases with regulator & lines) • Cryogenic Liquids • extreme cold • oxygen displacement/condensation • pressure relief valves

Hazards (cont. ) • Combustion • deflagration • explosion • detonation

Hazards (cont. ) • Flammability, Explosions, and Reactivity • flash points • open-cup v. closed-cup • flammable/combustible liquids • Class II • fire point • flammable/explosive range • LFL/LEL • UFL/UEL

Toxicological Effects • Site of Action • Asphyxiation • simple asphyxiants v. chemical asphyxiants • Organic and Inorganic Gases • asphyxiants • acute toxins • products of decomposition • reactivity

Toxicological Effects (cont. ) • Inorganic Acids and Bases • hydrogen fluoride (HF) • Other Aqueous Systems • prolonged exposure (e. g. , dishpan hands) • low vapor pressure • Solvents and Solvent Vapors • general effects • low concentrations • high concentrations • very high concentrations • specific effects

Physiological Effects • Hydrocarbons • aliphatic • cyclic • aromatic • halogenated functional groups • nitrohydrocarbons • oxygen-containing functional groups • alcohols • aldehydes • ketones • esters • ethers • glycols

Air Pollution • Clean Air Act • Photochemical Smog

Air Pollution (cont. ) • Ozone Depletion

Air Pollution (cont. ) • Greenhouse Gases • global warming

Evaluation of Hazards • Evaluation Procedure • toxicity of substance • concentration in breathing zone • manner of use • length of exposure • controls in place • special susceptibilities

Control of Hazards • role of health and safety personnel • process controls • substitution • aqueous systems • engineering controls • closed ventilation systems v. local exhaust systems • personal protective equipment • respirators (limitations) • protective clothing and gloves (permeability, abrasion, cleaning) • protective eyewear (unvented, indirect-vented, face shields)