Common air contaminants

The target level procedure was applied to 16 common air contaminants (Table 6.19). These are common contaminants in the industrial environment, and in many cases are the most critical compounds from the viewpoint of need for control measures. The prevailing concentration data as well as the benchmark levels were taken from Nordic databases, mainly the Finnish sources, and described elsewhere.In addition, a general model for assessing target values for other contaminants is presented in the table. 

TABLE 6.19 A Classification Scheme of Target Leveis for Common Air Contaminants in Industrial Settings... 

The photocatalyzed oxidation of gas-phase contaminants in air has been demonstrated for a wide variety of organic compounds, including common aromatics like benzene, toluene, and xylenes. For gas-phase aromatic concentrations in the sub-lOO-ppm range, typical of common air contaminants in enclosed spaces (office buildings, factories, aircraft, and automobiles), photocatalytic treatment leads typically to complete oxidation to CO2 and H2O. This generality of total destruction of aromatic contaminants at ambient temperatures is attractive as a potential air purification and remediation technology. 

As presented in Chapter 4, DEHP has a relatively low vapor pressure and Henry s law constant, as well as a relatively high octanol/watcr partition coefficient and soil sorption coefficient. This combination of properties is consistent with a chemical that is found to only a limited extent in air (see Staples et al. 1997). Nonetheless, DEHP appears to be a common air contaminant that is present globally in the bw ng/m3... 

Other experimental reproductive effects. A skin and severe eye irritant. A narcotic. Human mutation data reported. A common air contaminant. Highly flammable liquid. NCxmres of 30-60% of the vapor in air ignite above 100°. It can react violently with acid anhydrides, alcohols, ketones, phenols, NH3, HCN, H2S, halogens, P, isocyanates, strong alkalies, and amines. Reactions with cobalt chloride, mercury(II) chlorate, or mercury(II) perchlorate form violendy in the presence of traces of metals or acids. Reaction with oxygen may lead to detonation. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and fumes. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 8 Label Corrosive SAFETY PROFILE A human poison by an unspecified route. Moderately toxic by various routes. A severe eye and skin irritant. Can cause burns, lachrymation, and conjunctivitis. Human systemic effects by ingestion changes in the esophagus, ulceration, or bleeding from the small and large intestines. Human systemic irritant effects and mucous membrane irritant. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. A common air contaminant. 

SAFETY PROFILE A human poison by an unspecified route. Poison experimentally by inhalation. An eye, mucous membrane, and systemic irritant by inhalation. Mutation data reported. A common air contaminant. Difficult to ignite. Explosion hazard when exposed to flame or in a fire. NH3 + air in a fire can detonate. Potentially violent or explosive reactions on contact with interhalogens (e.g., bromine pentafluoride, chlorine trifluoride), 1,2-dichloroethane (with liquid NH3), boron halides, chloroformamideium nitrate, ethylene oxide (polymerization reaction), magnesium... 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 9 Label CLASS 9 SAFETY PROFILE Confirmed human carcinogen producing lung tumors. Experimental neoplastigenic and tumorigenic data. Human pulmonary system effects by inhalation. Usually at least 4 to 7 years of exposure are required before serious lung damage (fibrosis) results. Mutation data reported. A common air contaminant. 

SAFETY PROFILE A nuisance dust. An eye and skin irritant. Ignites on contact with F2. Incompadble with acids, ammonium salts, (Mg + H2). Calcium carbonate is a common air contaminant. See also CALCIUM COMPOUNDS. 

SAFETY PROFILE The fumes evolved by burning calcium in air are composed of calcium oxide (quicklime), which is an irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Generally speaking, calcium compounds should be considered toxic only when they contain toxic components (such as arsenic, etc.) or as calcium oxide or hydroxide. Calcium compounds are common air contaminants. 

SAFETY PROFILE Mildly toxic by ingestion. A severe eye irritant. A skin, mucous membrane, and respiratory system irritant. Mutation data reported. Causes dermatitis. Dust is considered to be a significant industrial hazard. A common air contaminant. Violent reaction with maleic anhydride, nitroethane, nitromethane, nitroparaffins, nitropropane, phosphoms. Reaction with polychlorinated phenols + potassium nitrate forms extremely toxic products. See also CALCIUM COMPOUNDS. 

Industrially, sequelae are rare, as exposure, though often severe, is usually brief. It is a common air contaminant. 

A simple asphyxiant. High concentradons cause anesthesia. A common air contaminant. It is phytotoxic. A ver dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame. Moderate explosion hazard when exposed to flame. A flammable gas. To fight... 

Organic fluorides are generally less toxic than other halogenated hydrocarbons. Fluorocarbons are chemicaUy inert to most materials but can react violendy with barium, sodium, and potassium. Fluoroamides react violendy with lithium tetrahydroaluminate and with sodium at very high temperatures. Some fluorinated cyclopropenyl methyl ethers react violently with water or methanol. Some fluorodinitro compounds of methane and ethane are sensitive explosives. When heated to decomposition they emit toxic fumes of F. Common air contaminants. 

A human eye irritant. Gasoline is a common air contaminant. A veiy dangerous fire and explosion hazard when exposed to heat or flame can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. To fight fire, use foam, CO2, dry chemical. 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 8 Label Corrosive (UN 1789) DOT Class 2.3 Label Poison Gas, Corrosive (UN 1050, UN 2186) SAFETY PROFILE A human poison by an unspecified route. Mildly toxic to humans by inhaladon. Moderately toxic experimentally by ingestion. A corrosive irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Mutation data reported. An experimental teratogen. A concentration of 35 ppm causes irritation of the throat after short exposure. In general, hydrochloric acid causes little trouble in industry other than from accidental splashes and burns. It is a common air contaminant and is heavily used in industry. 

Zr, disodium acetylide, oxidants. Can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. A common air contaminant. When heated to... 

PROP Compounds containing the -SH group bound to carbon. Also called thiols. SAFETY PROFILE Generally they have a very offensive odor that may cause nausea and headache. High concentrations of vapor can produce unconsciousness with cyanosis, cold extremities, and rapid pulse. A common air contaminant. Dangerous when heated to decomposition they almost always emit highly toxic fumes of SO. They may react with water, steam, or acids to produce toxic and flammable vapors. Aliphatic mercaptans are flammable. They can react violently with powerful oxidizers such as Ca(OCl)2. 

SAFETY PROFILE Moderately toxic by inhalation and intraperitoneal routes. Mildly toxic by ingestion. Human systemic effects by inhalation sleep effects, excitement, anorexia, and blood pressure decrease. Experimental teratogenic and reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. A skin and eye irritant. Questionable carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data. A common air contaminant. 

SAFETY PROFILE Variable toxicity depending upon composition. Cause local irritation of eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Some may lead to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and bronchial asthma. Dermatitis may result from short contact. Asthma, angioneurotic edema, hives, etc., may result from short periods of inhalation. A topic eczema, angioneurotic edema, hives, etc., may also result from prolonged contact. A common air contaminant. Nuisance aerosols do evoke some tissue response in the lung upon inhalation of sufficient amounts. However, this reaction is potentially reversible and leaves no scar tissue. 

A corrosive irritant to eyes, skin, and mucous membranes, and a systemic irritant by inhalation. A common air contaminant. 

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