Chemical processing regulatory standards

An additional reason for investing resources in error reduction measures is to improve the ability of the industry to conform to regulatory standards. It is likely that as the relationship between hximan error and safety becomes more widely recognized, regulatory authorities will place more emphasis on the reduction of error-inducing conditions in plants. It is therefore important that the Chemical Process Industries take the lead in developing a systematic approach and a defensible position in this area. 

The RfDs and TDIs are often used to establish regulatory standards. Such standards usually specify a limit on the allowable concentration of a chemical in an environmental medium. The process is not difficult to understand. The RfD and its related estimates of population thresholds is a dose, typically expressed in mg/(kg b.w. day), that is considered to be without significant risk to human populations exposed daily, for a lifetime. Consider mercury, a metal for which an RfD of 0.0003 mg/(kg b.w. day) has been established by the EPA, based on certain forms of kidney toxicity observed in rats (Table 8.4). These are not the only toxic effects of mercury, but they are the ones seen at the lowest doses. Note also that we are dealing with inorganic mercury, not the methylated form that is neurotoxic. 

The following are the major subjects of the book the various institutions, agencies, and programs involved in chemicals regulation (Chapter 2). The data for hazard assessment (Chapter 3) and the hazard assessment process, i.e., identihcation and characterization of the various toxicological effects and the associated test methods (Chapter 4). Standard setting for threshold effects (Chapter 5) and non-threshold effects (Chapter 6). Exposure assessment (Chapter 7) and risk characterization (Chapter 8). Regulatory standards set by various bodies (Chapter 9) and combined actions of chemicals in mixture (Chapter 10). 

These incidents have taught us much and, especially, the earlier ones seemed to have provided the motivation for the industry and government to begin to aggressively address the catastrophic loss potential associated with the chemical process industry. They helped spark development of several consensus and regulatory standards that have since become so much a way of life in the chemical process industry. 

Loss prevention in the chemical process industries has come a long way in the last 15 years. It is now, thanks to regulatory and industry input, a much better managed function than it ever was. The OSHA PSM standard and the EPA RMP have become an integral part of the effort to reduce or prevent catastrophic loss incidents. We have learned much over the last 15 years, and the engineering and management systems approaches to loss prevention have contributed much to the loss prevention effort in the chemical process industries. 

The permit system is mandated under the Process Safety Management standard, the element titled Non-routine Work. There are different permitting systems used by the chemical processing industry. Some permits are developed by a particular plant and apply only to that plant. Each plant may have its own permit system that addresses routine work and maintenance. Some permit systems, however, are required by regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 

For instance, equiatomic nickel-titanium alloy (nitinol) is a very attractive material for biomedical applications. However, the high nickel content of the alloy and its potential influence on biocompatibility is an issue for nitinol-composed devices. Corrosion resistance of nitinol components from implantable medical devices should be assessed according to regulatory processes and standard recommendations. It is now well known that nitinol requires controlled processes to achieve optimal good life and ensure a passive surface, predominantly composed of titanium oxide, that protects the base material from general corrosion. Passivity may be enhanced by modifying the thickness, topography, and chemical composition of the surface by selective treatments [46]. 

The primary objective of off-gas treatment is to ensure that radiological and chemical releases to the environment are minimal and in compliance with the regulatory standards for the specific pollutants. Analysis of waste feed characteristics and the combustion conditions should determine the expected presence of objectionable materials in the off-gas, and therefore the type of treatment necessary. The off-gas treatment systems may consist of dry (non-aqueous) or wet (aqueous) components or process steps. Further information on the treatment concepts may be found in Annex in of this guide and in Ref. [9]. 

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