Document 85X3Mn9mRQmqMDJbyYKmbdxjy

HYGIENIC GUIDE SERIES American INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE * association Vinyl Chloride (Chloroethene) CH*=CHC1 Chemical Abstracts Registry No. 75014 Significant Physical Properties Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas at standard conditions but is usually handled as a liquid. Molecular weight----------------Melting point-----------------------Boiling point-----------------------Vapor pressure--------------------- Explosive limits, vol % in air Liquid density, g/ml at 25`C Autoignition temperature -- ;* * Flash point-------------------------- Vapor density (aii=l)----------- 1 ppm ........ 1 mg/ liter -................ . -.......... 62.50 -153.7 - 13.8 mm Hg 130 470 1293 *C - 50 - 25 0 3.6-26.4 0.9013 472*C 78aC (Cleveland Open Cup) -2.55 at 25`C and 760 mm 0.00255 mg/liter 391 ppm 2943 25 " - I. . Hygienic Standards . * - *. t * .'* * A. Workday exposure concentra tions: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration^promulgated a standard for exposure to vinyl chloride?" effective April 1, 1973. The standard set the permissible exposure limit as not greater than 1 ppm averaged over any 8- hour period. OS HA classifies vinyl chloride as a cancer-suspect agent. In 1975, The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists* TLVs list pla.ccd vinyl chloride in the intended changes group and classified it 1c., human carcinogen awaiting reassign ment of TLV pending further data acquisition. B. SHORT TERM EXPOSURE CONCENTRA TIONS: OSHAm restricts short term exposures to a maximum concentration of 5 ppm averaged over any period not exceeding 15 minutes. Direct contact with liquid vinyl chloride is prohibited. Prior to 1975 ACGIH recommended a 500 ppm ceiling concentration.. C. ATMOSPHERIC CONCENTRATION IMME DIATELY HAZARDOUS TO LIFE: Mice and The Committee wiihet to acknowledge the assistance of Roger L. Daniel in the preparation of this Hygienic Guide, .. . . rats survived 30 minute exposures to lOO.OOO^ppm butwere killed by 300,000 ppm. A two hour exposure to rats at -a-- 150,000;ppm caused respiratory failure.**1* Guinea pigs were killed by 200,000 to 400fi!Qjfyr jgjffi II. ' ' Prior to 1974, tW primary hazard of occupational exposure* to vinyl chloride was considered to be due fo its anesthetic and explosive properties. There was conflicting opinion as to the significance of pathological changes in the liver`6fdogs, guinea pigs, rabbits and rats exposed for periods up to six months. On January 22,1974 NIOSH disclosed that B. F. Goodrichhad reported that deaths ofseveral of its employees from angiosarcoma of the liver may have been occupationally related. Subsequcp^ investigation led to the promulgation of CFR 1910.1017 Standard for Exposure to Vinyl Chloride, effective April 1, 1^75. , A. INHALATION: The primary effect of acute exposure to vinyl chloride is narcosis. Two industrial deaths are reported from acute exposure to vinyl chloride.0' The first signs of intoxication appeared at 8000- - 12000 ppm when human volunteers were exposed for five minute periods to 4000, 8000,12000, 16000 .and 2QP00 ppm.*4* . - Exposures to' 13'humgii volunteers for 7- r - vM&r R&S155488 1/2 hours to 50. 200 and 500 ppm produced no clinical changes or neurological responses.'5' Filatova and Gronsberg141 reported angioncrosis of a - spastic character in workers exposed to 20r/ 315 ppm vinyl chloride in a polyvinyl *" chloride process. Wilson, et al,'7' reported several cases of acroosteolysis in the hands of workmen working in vinyl chloride polymerization processes: no estimates of exposure levels were cited. Suciu. et al.1" reported the presence of "narcotic syndrome", asthenic nervous symptoms, Raynaud's syndrome and hepatomeglia among a group of 186 employees working in polyvinyl chloride plants: exposure levels were not quantified. Maltoni'" observed. that vinyl chloride inhalation produced in rats, Zymbal gland carcinomas, nephroblastomas, angio sarcomas and angiomas of the liver and other sites, skin carcinomas, hepatomas and brain neuroblastomas; in mice, lung adenomas, mammary carcinomas, angiosarcomas and angiomas of the liver and other sites, skin epithelial tumors; in hamsters, liver angiosarcomas. Several reports"0'15' make reference to the mutagenic potential of vinyl chloride. An excess of chromosomal aberration in lymphocytes of workers exposed to vinyl * y- - . .chloride as comparedcontrols was observed.04"?!,; B. Skin CONTACT: Rapid evaporation of liquid vinyl. chloride in contact with : j clothing or skin may causefrgezing or frost ^^S^s^jbite. Inhibited vinyl cJilonie may leave a '^^*^'*^liresidue in dottihglftu^^o&ld Eause skin v ^ V'Cr^-EYE :fcOOTACT;<Ej^^tact,with liquid * V- ment is the method of choice.""' C. Hazards and their recommended CONTROL: The imminent danger when uncontrolled conditions exist are Tire and explosion. Vinyl chloride polymerizes, readily in the presence of air, sunlight or hcat" but is safety shipped in commerce without a polymerization inhibitor. Uncontrolled polymerization may cause closed vessels to explode. The odor is not detectable below 4000 ppm by many persons and therefore is not an adequate warning property to prevent overexposure by inhalation. 1. Inhalation: There is little dispute that vinyl chloride is carcinogenic to man. OS HA has concluded that employee exposures to vinyl chloride must be limited to a one ppm time-weighted average and to a ceiling concentration of five ppm. NIOSH approved w- chemical cartridge respirators are the minimum respiratory protective equipment for performing any task in .,, vapor concentrations that exceed the above limitations. Sampling, dis connecting transfer lines, entry of , storage and polymerization vessels are -'A;;. ..tasks that :havc high potential for .vjOYerexposure-and that require work ^ practices and engineering controls to limit exposure.- , 4 . '$' 2. Skin contact: Protective garments are to be worn to prevent skin contact VWith/liquid vinyl ehloride or with * C polyvinyl chloride residue from vessel ?}'* 3,.; , Eye contact: Prevent eye contact by cl?e4"icA^te?y ***le* ; wheneverthemildangcr of the liquid - ^^^^-TiikeiyWafB^nekted|^ci<lential to ^%jindustpai h^i^ will ftbtiguse injury. - -/ .-/ * ,, - III. - Industrial Hygiana Practice ?W;V;Sjjjp' ~ A. INDUSTRIAL USES AND OCCURRENCES: Most of the vinyl chloride produced is . -%>' -polymerized to polyvinyl chloride. It is ?: "> also copolymerized with other monomers . . _ and is used as a chemical intermediate. B. ^Evaluation of sxrosuRte^1^^ -* Air. Sampling and Anafyste^jk: H - * * "'f' a.' Direct field methods: (1) Combustion^type instruy menu may'Jbi used iri the abscnce'^T Interfering substances.0*" (2) Gas Chromatography is the method of choice when more than one air contaminant is present b. Personnel monitoring methods:' ,, ' (1) Adsorption oh charcoal and desorption, with carbon " disulfide'followed by gas chromatographicmeasure--; i* IV. H-W? < Fire and^jix00^uv5ince vinyl chloride is>e j,ggs|at standard conditions, the..fine. and explosion / hazard is high.` Precautions must be V taken to prevent leaks in, closed ' systems and to avoid contacts with sources of ignition. Msdiul Informstloii^to:' A.^ EMERGENCY TR^TMENT: , ; ,. Inhalation: overexposure " requires Ttffff|reatmcnt other than removalfrbm'ilK contaminated area. Severe ^overexposure^ may produce deep anesthesia.-If this occurs remove the patient from the area, place in a supine position, keep breathing/ passage open and call a physician. If' breathing has stopped, begin mouth' to-mouth Treiuscitation without interruption'.iirntil^breathing is resumed. Federal.regulation*" U requires that each employee exposed * "emergen^ .which is likely to or *-C5'|4vddes;tesiilt3h maksive release of vinyl ; - -/ ; - -- ''>'r*' ,sy - TS'.-f'rirtV, \ \ ' v* t- -i''i "A-''' ; . /l_ -MmM, R&S155489 chloride shall be afforded appropriate medical surveillance. 2. Skirt contact. Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with water. If frostbite has occurred refer to a physician. 3. Eye contact.' Irrigate immediately with copious quantities of water for at least 15 minutes and place under care of an ophthalmologist. B. Special procedures. OSHA requires that all vinyl chloride workers be on a medical surveillance program."1 The details are found in the OSHA vinyl chloride standard. V. References 1. Code of Federal Regulations: Title 29, Part 1910.1017 2. Mastromatteo, E.. A. M. Fisher, H. Christie and H. Oanziger: Acute Inhalation, Toxicity of Vinyl Chloride to Laboratory Animals. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 27:394(1960). 3. Oanziger. H.: Accidental Poisoning by Vinyl Chloride: Report of Two Cases. Can. Med. Assoc. J. 82.828 (1960). 4. Lester, D., L. A. Greenberg and W. R. Adams: Effects of Single and Repeated Exposures of Humans and Rats to Vinyl chloride. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 24:265 ; :: (1963). ..., /. 5. Baretta, E. D,, R. D. Stewart and J. E. ~ Mutchler: Monitoring Exposures to Vinyl' Chloride Vapor: Breath Analysis and Continuous Air Sampling. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 30:637 (1969). 6. Filatova, U. S. and E. S. Gronsberg: ' Hygienic Working Conditions in Polyvinyl Chloride Tar Plants. Gigi Santi 38:42 (1957). : x- r 7. Wilson, R. H,, W. E. McCormick. C- F. ' Tatum and J. L. Creech: Occupational . Acroosteolysis.J.A.MA. 201:577 (1967). 8. Suciu. I.. J. Drejman and M. Valaskl: Contributions to The Study of Affections.;. Caused by Vinyl Chloride. Medicina ~ Interne 75:967 (1963). 9. Maltoni. Cesare: The Value of Predictive Experimental Bioassays in Occupational and Environmental Carcinogeneses. An Example: Vinyl Chloride. Ambio 4:18 (1975). 10. Bartsch, H.. C. Malavielle and R. Montesano: Human, Rat and Mouse Liver-mediated Mutagenicity of Vinyl Chloride in S. Typhinurium Strains. Int. J. Cancer 75:429 (1975). 11. Loprieno, N., R. Barele, S. Varoncelli, el at: Evaluation of the Genetic Effects of Vinyl Chloride Monomer Under the Influence of Liver Microsomes. Mutation Research. In press. 12. Rannug. U., A. Johansson. C. Rammel and C. A. Watchtmeister: The Muta genicity of Vinyl Chloride After Metabolic Activation. Ambio 3:194 (1974). 13. Huberman, E., H. Barsch and L. Sachs: Mutation Induction in Chinese Hamster V79 Cells by Two Vinyl Chloride Metabolities. Chloroethylene Oxide and 2-Chloro-acetaldehyde. Int. J. Cancer 75:639(1975). 14. Infante, P. F.: Oncogenic and Mutagenic Risks in Communities With Polyvinyl Chloride Production Facilities. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 271:49 (1976). 15. Infante. P. F., J. K. Wagoner, A. J. McMichael. R. J. Waxailer and H. Falk: Genetic Risks of Vinyl Chloride, Lancet (1976). 16. Ducatman. A.. K. Hirschhorn and I. J. Selikoff: Vinyl Chloride Exposure and Hyman Chromosome Aberrations. Mutat. Res. 37:163 (1975). 17. Funes-Cravioto, F., B. Lambert, J. Lindsten, et at.: Chromosome Aberrations in Workers Exposed to Vinyl Chloride. Lancet i:459 (1975). 18. Purchase. I. F. H,, C. R. Richardson and D. Anderson: Chromosomal and Dominant Lethal Effects of Vinyl Chloride. Lancet <7:410 (1976). 19. Schaffer, A. W. and H. R. Hoyle: Nine Years Experience with the Davis Halide Meter. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 22:93 (1961). . .. .. 20. National Institute lor Occupational ' Safety end Health: Analytical Method P end CAM #178. 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville. MD 20852. , 21. Manufacturing Chemists' Association, Inc.: Chemical Safety Date Sheet SD-56. Revised 1972. . -" Prepared under tbe auspice* of the Hygienic Guides Committee: Howard E. Runion, Chairman; O'Neil M. Banka, PIlD^LmI W, Brewer, Paul E, Caplan, William D. Christensen; Emil E. Chriatofano; Critz E. Cullen; Richard D, Fulwiler, Sc.D.; David Gidley. Charlet E. Holdiworth, ph.D.; Bruce S. Horvath; William C Janes; Mare Y. Longley, Ph. D.; Frank L. Mitchell, D.O.; John D. Neefus, Ph. D.; Jeffrey Pattison; William E. Shoemaker; H. J. Trochimowicz, Sc.D.; Eugene O. Wood; Uiha Wright. -V R&S155490 Copyright 1978 American Industrial Hygiene Association Revised Feb. 1978 t