Solvent exposures aromatic hydrocarbons

TABLE 13-1. Occupational and environmental sources of solvent exposure AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS... 

The manuscript entitled A Recommended Standard for Occupational Exposure to Refined Petroleum Solvents from the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, July 1977, recommended standards to be applied to occupational exposure of workers to the following refinery petroleum solvents petroleum ether, rubber solvent, varnish maker s and painter s naphtha, mineral spirits, Stoddard solvents, and kerosene are all included in the term refined petroleum solvents. According to these standards petroleum ether and rubber solvents which contain 1.5% benzene, varnish maker s and painter s naphtha which contain 1.5% benzene, mineral spirits which contain 13-19% aromatics, Stoddard solvent which contains 0.1% benzene, 140 Flash Aliphatic Solvent which contains 0.7% benzene, kerosene. NIOSH indicated that some ofthe refined petroleum solvents contain aromatic hydrocarbons including, in some cases, benzene. Standards were applied, among others, to reduce the benzene exposure. Among others, the use of respirators and skin protective devices were required to protect from the effects of the solvents, as well as the benzene component. In his testimony in front of the Occupational Safety and Health... 

Polystyrene. Polystyrene [9003-53-6] is a thermoplastic prepared by the polymerization of styrene, primarily the suspension or bulk processes. Polystyrene is a linear polymer that is atactic, amorphous, inert to acids and alkahes, but attacked by aromatic solvents and chlorinated hydrocarbons such as dry cleaning fluids. It is clear but yellows and crazes on outdoor exposure when attacked by uv light. It is britde and does not accept plasticizers, though mbber can be compounded with it to raise the impact strength, ie, high impact polystyrene (HIPS). Its principal use in building products is as a foamed plastic (see Eoamed plastics). The foams are used for interior trim, door and window frames, cabinetry, and, in the low density expanded form, for insulation (see Styrene plastics). 

Polysulfones are handicapped by light and UV sensitivity requiring an efficient protection for outdoor exposure sensitivity to environmental stress cracking and attacks by chemicals such as aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents and ketones the cost (justified by the performances) sometimes an insufficient fire resistance, but special grades are marketed. 

Sensitivity to light, requiring protection for outdoor exposure flammability except special grades attacked by aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, ketones cost. 

The major concern with carbon black exposure is the simultaneous exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are strongly adsorbed to the respirable carbon black particles and from which PAHs may be elutriated in vivo under conditions of human exposure. However, in a number of studies, attempts to elutriate PAH with biological fluids have been largely unsuccessful, and prolonged extraction with boiling aromatic solvents is required for quantitative desorption. Carbon black has been... 

Estimates of daily exposure to benzene from urban or suburban air range from 180 to 1300 /ig/person/day.1112 Urban air concentrations of the other aromatic hydrocarbons are similar to those of benzene and the vast majority of exposure of the general population to these other aromatic hydrocarbons will be due to road transport or solvent-containing products rather than food. A 1995 survey of these compounds in samples from the UK Total Diet Study showed that average dietary exposures to benzene and related compounds from food in the UK are low, and very much lower than estimated exposure from active smoking of tobacco or intakes from air by urban dwellers.13 The mean dietary exposure to benzene was estimated to be in the range 0.9-2.4 /ig/person/day. 

Bioaccumulatlon of some pesticides (fenitrothion, aminocarb, permethrin) with real or potential application in forestry in Canada has been examined in laboratory experiments using larval rainbow trout and common duckweed. Bioaccumulation of an aromatic hydrocarbon, fluorene, has also been examined since some commercial formulations employ hydrocarbon solvents. Laboratory exposures of fish or plants were carried out by placing the organisms in dilute aqueous solutions of C labelled pesticide or hydrocarbon, and by measuring transfer of radioactivity from water to fish or plants. After transfer of fish or plants to untreated water, loss of radioactivity was measured similarly. These measures allowed calculation of uptake and depuration rate constants which were used to predict residue accumulations under various exposure conditions. Predicted residue accumulations agreed substantially with other predictive equations in the literature and with reported field observations. 

Synonyms and trade names benzene, benzine, benzol, aromatic hydrocarbon Uses and exposure Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid with a pleasant odor. It is used as a solvent in many industries, such as rubber and shoe manufacturing and in the production of other important substances such as styrene, phenol, and cyclohexane. It is essential in the manufacture of detergents, pesticides, solvents, and paint removers. It is present in fuels such as in gasoline up to the level of 5%. There are several uses for benzene. ... 

Cordier, S., Lefeuvre, B., Filippini, G., Peris-Bonet, R., Farinotti, M., Lovicu, G., Mandereau, L. (1997b). Parental occupation, occupational exposure to solvents and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and risk of childhood brain tumors (Italy, France, Spain). Cancer Causes Control 8 688-97. 

HIPS resists damage to properties from exposure to water, alkalis and dilute mineral acids. It is swollen by some organic solvents and dissolved by others in a relationship governed by the difference between the solubility parameter of the continuous phase and that of the solvent. HIPS is particularly susceptible to damage when exposed to chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons. 

As can be appreciated, solvents possess a wide variety of chemical and physical properties. Because of this diversity there are many different health effects associated with excessive exposure to solvents. While acute renal failure has been documented following exposure to halogenated hydrocarbons [2], glycols [3] and aromatic hydrocarbons, those attributed to light petroleum hydrocarbon exposure are restricted to isolated clinical case reports [4]. More important, but less well proven, is the role of organic solvents in the development or progression of glomerulonephritis or other types of renal diseases. 

Paints often contain solvents such as toluene, xylene, halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, and methylene chloride, as well as heavy metals in their pigments including chromium yellow, lemon yellow (barium chromate), vermilion red (cadmium and mercuric sulfides), and flake white (lead). Both acute and chronic exposures to toluene and xylene are associated with neurotoxicity and can also damage the liver and kidneys. 

Crude oil contains many chemicals considered toxic and the effects of these individual chemicals should be evaluated if exposure is possible. These chemicals are aromatic solvents including benzene, aliphatic chemicals including hexane, and naphthenic chemicals including the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. 

Volatile organic solvents that are commonly used in adhesives, paints, and cleaners, including aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, ketones, ethers, and alcohols, act as depressants. Exposure to these can result in motor impairment, behavioral changes, and adverse effects on sensory perception. El Table 18.2 contains a partial list of neurotoxic volatile organic chemicals. 

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