Emergencies nitrogen dioxide

SIPs are intended to prevent air pollution emergency episodes. The phms are directed toward preventing excessive buildup of air pollutants tliat me known to be harmful to the population and the enviroiunent when concentrations exceed certain limits. The compounds affected under the implementation plans are sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, ctirbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. A contingency plan, which will outline the steps to be taken in tlie event tliat a particular pollutant concentration reaches tlie level at wliich it can be considered to be hannful, must be included in each implementation plan. The implementation plans are solely based on tlie continuous emission of tlie previously stated air pollutants. They do not mandate any actions to be taken in tlie event of an accidental toxic release. 

AEGL values for nitrogen dioxide should be used for emergency planning. Short-term exposures below 80 ppm of nitric oxide should not constitute a health hazard. 

Anon Emergency exposure limits Nitrogen dioxide. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 25 580-582, 1964... 

In recent years, nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as one of the most interesting mediators of normal and patho physiological processes. NO is a highly reactive free radical, a lipophilic gas with a very short half-life in the range of 5 - 30 s under bioassay conditions (Palmer et al., 1987). NO is rapidly converted to nitrogen dioxide (N02), which again rapidly forms the more stable metabolites nitrite (N02 ) and nitrate (N03). 

Augusto O, Bonini MG, Amanso AM, Linares E, Santos CCX, de Menezes SL (2002) Nitrogen dioxide and carbonate radical anion two emerging radicals in biology. Free Rad Biol Med 32 841-859... 

NRC (National Research Council). 1985. Emergency and Continuous Exposure Guidance Levels for Selected Airborne Contaminants, Vol. 4. Washington, DC National Academy Press. Oda, H., H.Tsubone, A.Suzuki, T.Ichinose, and K.Kubota. 1981. Alterations of nitrite and nitrate concentrations in the blood of mice exposed to nitrogen dioxide. Environ. Res. 25(2) 294— 301. 

Areas where nitrogen dioxide is being handled should be provided with enough exits to permit personnel to leave quickly in emergencies. 

Cartridge-type respirators with Universal canisters should be available for immediate use for emergencies. These canisters are satisfactory only for short exposures (about 5 minutes for a 2 percent concentration of nitrogen dioxide, 20 minutes for a concentration of 0.5 percent) and should be changed on an exact time schedule and after each use. 

Protect cylinders of nitrogen dioxide from physical damage. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heavily traveled areas and emergency exits. Do not allow the temperature where cylinders are stored to exceed 125°F (51.7°C). Cylinders should be stored upright and firmly secured to prevent falling or being knocked over. Full and empty cylinders should be segregated. Use a first in/first out inventory system to prevent... 

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