Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene

6th Edition

Chapter 7:

Gases, Vapors, and Solvents

Compiled by Allen Sullivan,

Assistant Professor, Safety and Health ManagementCentral 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)

• Mode of Use• Temperature and Volatility

• boiling point• pressure relationship• functional group relationship

Critical Exposure Factors

4 carbon BP = 175°F6 carbon BP = 242°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 I• 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

• Air Pollution• Clean Air Act• Photochemical Smog

Air Pollution (cont.)

• Ozone Depletion

Air Pollution (cont.)

• Greenhouse Gases• global warming

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

Evaluation of Hazards

Control of Hazards

• 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)