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)
