Fire control human health hazards

Human activities are associated with the use and disposal of a variety of chemicals and chemical products. This is the situation for a householder, a laboratory student, and also the industry worker. Many materials have properties that make them hazardous. They can create physical (fire, explosion) or health hazards (toxicity, chemical bums). However, there are many ways to work with chemicals which can both reduce the probability of an accident and reduce the consequences should an accident occur. Risk minimization depends on safe practices, appropriate engineering controls for chemical containment, the proper use of personnel protective equipment, use of the least amount of material necessary, and substitution of a less-hazardous chemical for a more hazardous one. Before beginning any chemical processing or operation, ask What would happen if. .. The answer to this question requires understanding of the hazards associated with chemicals, the equipment, and the procedure involved. The hazardous properties of the material and its intended use will dictate the precautions to be taken. 

Fourteen formulations of chemical alternatives were submitted to EPA under confidentiality and they were assessed based on numerous human health and ecotoxicity endpoints in addition to bioaccumulation potential and environmental persistence. They were also screened for potential exposure to workers, users and the aquatic environment. Where data gaps existed, EPA experts used models and chemical analogs to estimate the hazard for a particular endpoint. The literature and test data reviews were published in the final report, Environmentally Preferable Options for Furniture Fire Safety Low Density Furniture Foam . In addition, each hazard endpoint was ranked with a concern level (High, Moderate or Low) based on the criteria used by the EPA s New Chemicals Program to rate the concern level of new chemicals submitted under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). As seen in Figure 8.2, where the hazard endpoint rankings are bold, the value is based on experimental data. Where the hazard endpoints are presented in italic font, the value is estimated based on models or chemical analogs. In this way, detailed hazard information was summarized and presented in a clear and concise format. 

Low concentrations of VOCs in ambient ah of 1 to 1,000 ppmv (parts per million based on volume) are often harmful to human health. VOCs also promote the photochemical formation of ozone and other contaminants, and in high concentrations are a fire hazard. These severe environmental implications have resulted in increasingly stringent legislation in the U.S.A. and elsewhere to limit release of VOCs into the atmosphere. Control technologies for VOCs release include combustion and vapor recovery. Vapor recovery is preferred as combustion may result in the production of other air pollutants, and destroy valuable VOCs. 

In previous studies we found that improved emission-control devices (such as hot-side electrostatic precipitaters and wet-scrubber systems) now being installed on modern pulverized-coal-fired power plants modify the quantity, chemical composition, and distribution characteristics of fine aerosol emissions (12,13). Such modifications must be understood to adequately assess human health and environmental hazards, and to apportion the contributions of sources to urban pollutant inventories. 

Assurances that new and existing chemical processes are conducted safely have never been more needed. Public awareness of the effects of chemical exposure has increased since the early 1970s. Although the initial focus of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was on safety, clearly the emphasis now is on health. People at all levels of society are concerned about exposure to chemicals and the possible short- and longterm effects of chemicals on human health. The effects of chemicals on the environment from past or present waste sites, accidental releases or spills, and fires and explosions are reported daily in the news media. Control of all chemical processes to avoid accidental discharges and/or upsets that lead to fires, explosions, and environmental release is essential in the laboratory, the pilot plant, and the manufacturing plant. Chemical process hazard reviews are necessary at each step in the development of a process to ensure that the process can be controlled and conducted so as to minimize the risks to personnel, property, and the environment. 

Materials safety covers those safety aspects involved with the safe use of materials in a system. A hazardous material is any substance or compound that has the capability of producing adverse effects on the health of humans. Many materials are inherently hazardous, while other classes of materials are contributing factors in hazards. For example, the fabric used in a system operator s chair may emit toxic fumes during a fire. The development of procedures for the control and use of HazMat, including explosives, is a responsibility of system safety. When appropriate, local hazardous material spill-response teams should be notified of activities, which may be potential spill or release situations requiring containment. 

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