NIOSH standards

Health, Safety, and Environmental Factors. Sulfur dioxide has only a moderate acute toxicity (183). The lowest pubHshed human lethal concentration is 1000 ppm for 10 months. The lowest pubHshed human toxic concentration by inhalation is 3 ppm for 5 days or 12 ppm for 1 hour. The lowest pubHshed human lethal concentration is 3000 ppm for 5 months. In solution (as sulfurous acid), the lowest pubHshed toxic dose is 500 flg/kg causing gastrointestinal disturbances. Considerable data is available by other modes of exposure and to other species NIOSH standards are a time-weighted average of 2 ppm and a short-term exposure limit of 5 ppm (183). 

Various types of detector tubes have been devised. The NIOSH standard number S-311 employs a tube filled with 420—840 p.m (20/40 mesh) activated charcoal. A known volume of air is passed through the tube by either a handheld or vacuum pump. Carbon disulfide is used as the desorbing solvent and the solution is then analyzed by gc using a flame-ionization detector (88). Other adsorbents such as siUca gel and desorbents such as acetone have been employed. Passive (diffuse samplers) have also been developed. Passive samplers are useful for determining the time-weighted average (TWA) concentration of benzene vapor (89). Passive dosimeters allow permeation or diffusion-controlled mass transport across a membrane or adsorbent bed, ie, activated charcoal. The activated charcoal is removed, extracted with solvent, and analyzed by gc. Passive dosimeters with instant readout capabiUty have also been devised (85). 

Sweeney et al. (1986) studied mortality among 2510 male chemical workers in the United States, followed from 1952 to 1977. Potential exposures included tetraethyl lead (lARC, 1987b), ethylene dibromide (see this volume), 1,2-dichloroethane, inorganic lead (lARC, 1987b) and vinyl chloride monomer (lARC, 1987c). There were 156 deaths (SMR, 0.7) and 38 cancer deaths (SMR, 1.0) observed. There were excesses of cancer of the larynx (SMR, 3.6 90% CI, 0.7-11.5, based on 2 cases) and brain (SMR, 2.1 90% CI, 0.7-4.9, based on 4 cases). The SMR for all lymphatic and haematopoietic cancers w as 0.9 (90% CI, 0.3-1.9, based on 4 cases). Levels of exposure were not reported, but a NIOSH surv ey in 1980 found levels of exposure to 1,2-dichloroethane to be below the recommended NIOSH standard, while lead exposures were elevated. It was not possible to link mortality to any particular chemical exposure. 

Inorganic membranes can function as the capturing medium of clays, soils and other particulate contaminants in fluids. The inorganic membranes, such as silver membranes, containing the deposit of the contaminants or minerals are then used as the X-ray diffraction (XRD) substrate for material analysis of the particulates. In some cases, they are part of the established test procedures as a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) standard XRD substrate. 

NIOSH sets standards for CCU in air at 12.6 mg/m of air (a time weighted average over 40 hr). The CCU found in a sample is 4800 ppb (parts per billion billion = 10 ). Does the sample exceed the NIOSH standard Be careful ... 

The NIOSH Standard includes a consideration of chronic health effects. These effects include carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, as well as long and short term disease or bodily injury caused by exposure to workplace chemicals. 

Representative tables are reproduced below. The NIOSH Standard can be obtained from The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) by writing to ... 

Air samples were collected on Tenax TA (60-80 mesh) (0.5-1.0 1 total volume at a flow rate of 50 ml/min). The analysis of Tenax tubes was carried out using a GC/ MS-system (Hewlett-Packard 6890) or a GC/FID-system (Hewlett-Packard 5890) with a 25-m HP-5 column, each equipped with a thermal desorber - cold trap injector (Perkin Elmer ATD 400). Identification of the compounds was based on a PBM library search. Moreover, mass spectra and retention data were compared with those of reference compounds. The monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were sampled on active charcoal (NIOSH standard, SKC 226-01, 60-80 1 total volume at a flow rate of 0.5 1/min). The terpenes were extracted by use of carbon disulfide under constant shaking for 1 h and analyzed via GC/FID. Aldehydes were trapped on filter cartridges coated with dini-trophenylhydrazine (DNPH) (Macherey Nagel). The dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives were extracted with acetonitrile and analyzed via HPLC/UV. 

There are many suppliers and manufacturers of PPE. Several factors should be evaluated before choosing a supplier. Those factors are the product s quality, whether the product meets the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the National Institute for Safety and Health s (NIOSH) standards, and availability and delivery of the PPE. Prior to choosing a supplier, test performance data should be requested and samples obtained for circulation among the workforce to get feedback from the actual users. The worst thing management can do is buy bulky or uncomfortable PPE that the workers will avoid wearing, especially when they know comfortable PPE is available. 

Helps Factories Meet OSHA and NIOSH Standards... 

Hazards can arise from improperly designed tools or work areas, improper lifting or reaching, poor visual conditions, and repetitive motion in an awkward position. Excessive fatigue and discomfort will lead to pain and soreness and eventually to accidents. Protective requirements have been set in many OSHA and NIOSH Standards. 

OSHA develops health standards with technical assistance from NIOSH. Standards are based on research and other appropriate information available to the Agency. In addition to considering the most recent scientific data. OSHA must consider the health and safety of employees, experience with other health and safety laws, and the feasibility of standards that it promulgates. 

Our complete line of respiratory protection equipment includes powered air purifying respirators, airline respirators, pressure demand systems, supplied air filters and monitors, and a full range of breathing air pumps. Bullard respiratory products meet NIOSH standards and provide high-quality protection to workers in the Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Painting, Blasting and Grinding industries. 

An employer, worker s representative, or worker can request a HHE from NIOSH to have a potential health problem investigated. It is best to use the NIOSH standard form. It can be obtained by calling 1-800-35-NIOSH. The HHE request should include the following information ... 

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