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Hazard Assessment: Chemical Hazards and Related Concerns
<br />El Chemicals Subject to OSHA Hazard Communication. All chemicals used in field activities such as solvents, reagents, decontamination
<br />solutions, or any other hazardous chemical must be accompanied by the required labels, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and employee
<br />training documentation (OSHA 1910.1200).
<br />El Asbestos. Disturbance of building materials in buildings built prior to 1980 must be evaluated for the presence of asbestos-containing
<br />materials by an accredited Partner inspector. The inspection and/or removal of asbestos-based or asbestos-containing building materials is
<br />regulated by some major cities and several states. Regulations require individuals who conduct building inspections for the presence of
<br />asbestos or collect samples of asbestos containing materials to be licensed or certified. Partner employees must determine the applicability
<br />of these regulations prior to any activities involving asbestos. The primary health effects of asbestos exposure include asbestosis (a scarring
<br />of the lungs), lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other forms of cancer. Exposure to asbestos is regulated by a comprehensive OSHA standard
<br />(29 CFR 1910.1001).
<br />El BTEX Compounds. Exposure to the vapors of benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene, and xylenes above their respective permissible exposure
<br />limits (PELs), as defined by OSHA, may produce irritation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, nose, and mouth.
<br />Overexposure may also result in the depression of the central nervous system. Symptoms of such exposure include drowsiness, headache,
<br />fatigue, and drunken-like behavior. Benzene has been determined to be carcinogenic, targeting blood-forming organs and bone marrow.
<br />The odor threshold for benzene is higher than the PEL and employees may be overexposed to benzene without sensing its presence;
<br />therefore, detector tubes must be utilized to evaluate airborne concentrations.
<br />The vapor pressures of these compounds are high enough to generate significant quantities of airborne vapor. On sites where high
<br />concentrations of these compounds are present, a potential inhalation ha72rd to the field team during subsurface investigations can result.
<br />However, if the site is open and the anticipated quantities of BTEX contamination are small (e.g., part per million concentrations in the soil
<br />or groundwater), overexposure potential will also be small.
<br />I=1 Carbon Monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas usually formed by the incomplete combustion of various fuels. Welding, cutting, and
<br />the operation of internal combustion engines can produce significant quantities of CO. Amounts of CO can quickly rise to hamdous levels
<br />in poorly ventilated areas. CO is odorless and colorless. It cannot be detected without appropriate monitoring equipment. LEL/02 meters
<br />and H-Nu/PID are not appropriate for the detection of CO. A direct reading instrument, calibrated for CO, should be used. Common
<br />symptoms of overexposure include pounding of the heart, a dull headache, flashes before the eyes, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and nausea.
<br />These symptoms must not be relied upon in place of an appropriately calibrated monitoring instrument. Exposures should not exceed 15
<br />ppm. Exposures above 15 ppm require the use of supplied air respirators. Air purifying respirators are not approved for protection against
<br />CO.
<br />CI Chlorinated Organic Compounds. Exposure to the vapors of many chlorinated organic compounds such as vinyl chloride;
<br />tetrachloroethene; 1,1,1-trichloroethane; trichloroethene; and 1,2-dichloroethene above their respective PELs will result in similar
<br />symptoms. The actual PELs as set by OSHA vary depending on the specific compound.
<br />Overexposure to the vapor of these compounds can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. The liquid, if splashed in the eyes, may
<br />cause burning irritation and damage. Repeated or prolonged skin contact with the liquid may cause dermatitis. Acute overexposure to
<br />chlorinated hydrocarbons depresses the central nervous system exhibiting such symptoms as drowsiness, dizziness, headache, blurred vision,
<br />in-coordination, mental confusion, flushed skin, tremors, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and cardiac arrhythmia. Alcohol may make symptoms
<br />of overexposure worse. If alcohol has been consumed, the overexposed worker may become flushed. Some of these compounds are
<br />considered to be potential human carcinogens. Exposure to vinyl chloride is regulated by a comprehensive OSHA standard (29 CFR
<br />1910.1017).
<br />El Chromium Compounds. Hexavalent chromium compounds, upon contact with the skin, can cause ulceration and possibly an allergic
<br />reaction. Inhalation of hexavalent chromium dusts is irritating and corrosive to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.
<br />Chrome ulcers and chrome dermatitis are common occupational health effects from prolonged and repeated exposure to hexavalent
<br />chromium compounds. Acute exposures to hexavalent chromium dusts may cause coughing or wheezing, pain on deep inspiration, tearing,
<br />inflammation of the conjunctiva, nasal itch, and soreness or ulceration of the nasal septum. Certain forms of hexavalent chromium have
<br />been found to cause increased respiratory cancer among workers.
<br />Trivalent chromium compounds (chromic oxide) are generally considered to be of lower toxicity, although dermatitis may occur as a result
<br />of direct handling.
<br />El Cutting Oils. Cutting oils may produce a condition known as "cutting oil acne," a specific dermatosis associated with prolonged and
<br />repeated direct contact. Other problems associated with continued occupational exposure to cutting fluids include allergic skin sensitization,
<br />folliculitis, and squamous cell carcinoma due to the presence of nitrosamines.
<br />Fuel Oil. See Petroleum Hydrocarbons (PHC)
<br />El Gasoline. See BTEX Compounds, and Tetraethyl and Tetramethyl Lead.
<br />Partner Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan Page 8
<br />Version 1.02 February 1,2018
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