Health, safety and environmental issues of bitumens

Even though the bitumen from crude petroleum is not a particularly dangerous product, all health and safety guidelines and regulations must be followed and respected. 

Most potential hazards of bitumen arise from handling the bitumen at elevated temperatures (more than 100°C). At elevated temperatures, skin burns and inhalation of vapour and fume emissions are the most common hazards that occur. However, there is always a danger associated with water coming into contact with hot bitumen and its self-ignition-combustion. 

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