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FILE NAME: National Safety Council (NSC) DATE: 1955 DOC#: NSC120 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: NSC - Industrial Poisons -d whii ! ;in,l Ut, III' 1 cases "i e, unds <'i lice an.! sep timi id naiU . win'll. ' mali.r l seven ! ne\ii poison of ili' Dund in Iso Cil II id nailiut l" " ure au! metiim ninau-il onsidci can lu lours a a Jon;''/nv: i-. .if .. DOC K j-propa lote I'm :tive in herwisi unds in exisfin;- ial pi i! be ili. ed act i :neraii-.. rontain in lia andlim lant, in ve bch: e clean ed 'will idmiun circn 11. s. Afin re thosi me tin r t .,i INDUSTRIAL POISONS 40-7 urine. The kidneys may then become too clogged to operate at all. The possibility of arsine formation should always be considered when there is hydro gen formation around the active metals or around ores of the heavy metals, since ar senic is widely distributed in small amounts and only a trace of it is required to pro duce enough arsine to be troublesome. One of the more common sources of arsine incidents in recent years has been the han dling of dross from the aluminum refining of metals.* Probably the most significant observation about these cases, aside from the fact that the moisture in the atmosphere is enough to form arsine, is the fact that the people involved in them have not been aware of the garlic-like odor which is supposed to be a warning of the presence of arsine. The extremely high acute toxicity is re flected in the threshold concentration of 0.05 ppm. Arsine, in very small amounts, is also capable of producing a chronic type of poisoning, but it is more typically a source of acute episodes. Asbestos is a hydrated magnesium silicate found in the minerals chrysotile, amianthus, actinolite and tremolite. Practically all the commercial asbestos is either chrysotile or amianthus, and about 90 per cent of that used in this country is chrysotile. It is used almost exclusively for heat insulation or for textiles which must resist high temperature, such as heat-resistant clothing and brake linings. Inhalation of excessive quantities of as bestos fiber can produce a fibrosis in the lungs similar to diat found in silicosis but somewhat milder and usually not so rapidly progressive. Like silicosis, the condition de velops slowly and advances slowly and is equally resistant to treatment. Prevention is essentially dust control. A maximum dust concentration of 5 million particles per cubic foot has been suggested, precisely as for pure free silica. Barium, in the form of its soluble salts, is both toxic on ingestion and inhalation and highly caustic when applied to the skin. The carbonate and sulfide are sufficiently !l!"Arsine Poisoning, Epidemiologic Stud ies of an Outbreak Following Exposure to Gases from Metallic Dross," Louis W. Spolyar, R. N . Harger, Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine, 8:419- 436 (1950). soluble to be toxic, although not very caus tic. The sulfate, which is used as a contrast medium in X-ray work, is too insoluble to show any toxicity, and soluble sulfates are specific antidotes for ingested barium salts. Since these salts produce violent stimula tion of all muscle, upon ingestion they pro duce severe disturbances of the digestive system. After absorption, the barium salts produce an increase of blood pressure by constriction of the arterial muscle, a slow heart beat by an action similar to that of digitalis on the heart, and first excitation and then paralysis of the central nervous sys tem. In spite of the high inherent toxicity, there are few cases of industrial poisoning with barium. Barium is a heavy metal, and the dust of the insoluble salts will collect in the lungs and give rise to the condition known as baritosis. Its nodular appearance on X-ray film may be mistaken for that of silicosis. Men showing the sign of baritosis are ap parently not disabled or inconvenienced in any way. Benzene is a colorless, flammable, volatile liquid with a rather pleasant aromatic odor. Its fire hazard is between that o f ethyl alco hol and that of ether. The greatest hazard is that of chronic poisoning by inhalation of comparatively small amounts over a long pe riod of time. It is one of the tw o or three most dangerous organic solvents in com mercial use. The action is primarily on the bloodforming organs, producing severe anemia, bleeding under the skin, and great reduc tion in the ability of the blood to clot. The extent of chronic exposure to benzene may be determined qualitatively by measure ment of the ratio of organic to inorganic sulfates in the urine. The most convenient measurement of damage is given by a blood count. People who may be exposed to benzene vapor should have blood counts at regular intervals. Consistent change in the blood count should be closely investigated. Par ticularly significant changes are diminution in the total numbers of red cells, platelets, or white cells. Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, loss of ap petite, irritability, nervousness, nosebleed, and other signs of abnormalities of the blood may or may not be present in chronic poisoning. 41-4 TABLE OF C H E MI C A L H A Z A R D S Substance ammonia amyl acetate--n amyl alcohol--iso amyl alcohol-n aniline antimony (salts) arsenic arsine asbestos TABLE OF CHEMICAL HAZARDS--Continued Flash point F. Explosive limits % by volume Autoignition temperature F. Maximum acceptable concentration for Usual mode of 8-hr. exposure entrance to body Signs and symptoms of poisoning Lower gas 16 Upper 25 77 1.1 109 1.2 100 1.2 168 1204 750 650 700 1000 metal and sulfides flammable non-flammable 100 p.p.m.1 400 p.p.m.1' 2 200 p.p.m.36 100 p.p.m.35 100 p.p.m.2 5 to 7 p.p.m.6 0.5 mg/cu.m.38 0.15 mg/cu.m.6 0.5 mg/cu.m.38 1 p.p.m.5 0.05 p.p.m.38 5 m.p.p.c.f.1 inhalation Severe irritation of eyes and respir atory passages, cough, caustic ac tion on skin. inhalation Irritation of eyes and respiratory tract, headache and d i z z i n e s s , cough, nausea. inhalation Same as amyl acetate. inhalation Same as amyl acetate. absorption through skin, inhalation, or ingestion Acute: weakness, dizziness, blueness of lips, fainting, possible death. Chronic: disturbances of equilib rium, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, eczema, sleepiness, and irritability. inhalation of dust, ingestion Acute: vomiting, colic, diarrhea, irritation of mouth and throat. Chronic: indigestion, loss of weight and appetite, s o m e t i m e s severe dermatitis. inhalation of Irritation of skin, loss of hair and dust, ingestion nails, perforation of nasal septum, and direct action hoarse voice, cough, n e u r a l g i c on skin and pains, diarrhea. mucous membrane inhalation Headache, nausea, vomiting, chills and shivering, jaundice, dark or bloody urine. inhalation Chronic: shortness of breath, asbestos corns. TABLE OF CHEMICAL HAZARDS-- Continued Flash point Auto- ignition M-^imum acceptable Explosive limits temperature entration for Usual mode of Signs and symptoms ( ( ' ( 43-24 SAFETY ENGINEERING TABLES TABLE 43-P. A GUIDE TO VENTILATION RATES FOR TYPICAL INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT State or Local Regulations Should Be Consulted and Follotved Where Higher Ventilation Rates Are Specified Operation Abrasive blast rooms (sand, grit or shot) Abrasive blast cabinets Asbestos Carding Spool winding Bagging Open Bag Top Barrels -- Drums (filling or r e m o v i n g material by scoop) Type of Hood Tight enclosure with air inlets (usually in roof) Tight enclosure with access openings Enclosure Local Hoods Booth or enclosure (provide spillage hopper) Local Hood Booth Ventilation Air Flow 60-100 fpm downdraft (long rooms of tunnel proportions 100 fpm cross-draft) 20 air changes per minute but not less than 500 fpm through all openings 800 cfm per machine 50 cfm per spool Paper bags-- 100 cfm per sq. ft. open area Cloth bags--200 cfm per sq. ft. open area 100 cfm/sq. ft. of container cross section 100 fpm at face Belt conveyors Bins (closed top) Bucket elevators Hood at tr a ns fe r point Connect to bin top away from feed point Tight casing required Belt speeds less than 200 fpm-350 cfm per foot of belt width, but not less than 150 fpm through open area. Belt speeds over 200 fpm-- 500 cfm per foot of belt width but not less than 200 fpm through open area 150-200 fpm through open area at feed points 10 cfm per sq. ft. o f elev a to r casing Usual Transport Velocity (FPM) 3500 Remarks and References Ref. 8. Many codes specify minimum downdraft of 80 fpm 3500 Ref. 14 3000 3000 3500 3500 3500 3500 3500 Ref. 2, 15, 16. See references for details and other operations Ref. 17 Ref. 13, 18. Hood with 1-in. slot extending 120 to 180 deg con tainer. Does not confine spillage. Confine spillage--also recommended for container upsetting Ref. 17, 19 3500 Ref. 18, 19 3 5 0 0 1 Ref. 18 TABLE 43-P. A GUIDE TO VENTILATION RATES FOR TYPICAL INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT (Continued) State or Local Regulations Should Be Consulted and Followed W here Higher Ventilation Rates Are Specified Operation Type of Hood Ventilation i Air Flow Usual Transport Velocity (FPM) Remarks and References ick c u t t i n g and sizin g L ocal H o o d 1 500 cfm 3500 Ref. 7, 18. For portable opera C. ' ' ( ' (