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Hazard Assessment: Chemical Hazards and Related Concerns
<br /> ® 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, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and employee training
<br /> documentation(OSHA 1910.1200).
<br /> ❑ Asbestos. Disturbance of building materials in buildings built prior to 1980 must be evaluated for the presence of asbestos-containing materials
<br /> by an accredited Partner inspector. The inspection and/or removal of asbestos-based or asbestos-containing building materials is regulated
<br /> by some major cities and several states. Regulations require individuals who conduct building inspections for the presence of asbestos or
<br /> collect samples of asbestos containing materials to be licensed or certified. Partner employees must determine the applicability of these
<br /> regulations prior to any activities involving asbestos. The primary health effects of asbestos exposure include asbestosis(a scarring of the lungs),
<br /> lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other forms of cancer. Exposure to asbestos is regulated by a comprehensive OSHA standard (29 CFR
<br /> 1910.1001).
<br /> ❑ 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. The
<br /> odor threshold for benzene is higher than the PEL and employees may be overexposed to benzene without sensing its presence;therefore,
<br /> 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 hazard 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 or
<br /> groundwater),overexposure potential will also be small.
<br /> ❑ Carbon Monoxide. Carbon monoxide(CO)is a gas usually formed by the incomplete combustion of various fuels. Welding,cutting,and the
<br /> operation of internal combustion engines can produce significant quantities of CO. Amounts of CO can quickly rise to hazardous levels in
<br /> poorly ventilated areas. CO is odorless and colorless. It cannot be detected without appropriate monitoring equipment. LEL/02 meters and
<br /> H-Nu/PID are not appropriate for the detection of CO. A direct reading instrument,calibrated for CO,should be used. Common symptoms of
<br /> overexposure include pounding of the heart, a dull headache, flashes before the eyes, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and nausea. These
<br /> symptoms must not be relied upon in place of an appropriately calibrated monitoring instrument. Exposures should not exceed 15 ppm.
<br /> Exposures above 15 ppm require the use of supplied air respirators. Air purifying respirators are not approved for protection against CO.
<br /> ❑ Chlorinated Organic Compounds. Exposure to the vapors of many chlorinated organic compounds such as vinyl chloride;tetrachloroethene;
<br /> 1,1,1-trichloroethane;trichloroethene;and 1,2-dichloroethene above their respective PELs will result in similar symptoms. The actual PELs as
<br /> 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 cause
<br /> burning irritation and damage. Repeated or prolonged skin contact with the liquid may cause dermatitis. Acute overexposure to chlorinated
<br /> hydrocarbons depresses the central nervous system exhibiting such symptoms as drowsiness, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, in-
<br /> coordination, mental confusion, flushed skin, tremors, nausea,vomiting, fatigue, and cardiac arrhythmia. Alcohol may make symptoms of
<br /> overexposure worse. If alcohol has been consumed,the overexposed worker may become flushed. Some of these compounds are considered
<br /> to be potential human carcinogens. Exposure to vinyl chloride is regulated by a comprehensive OSHA standard(29 CFR 1910.1017).
<br /> ❑ Chromium Compounds. Hexavalent chromium compounds,upon contact with the skin,can cause ulceration and possibly an allergic reaction.
<br /> Inhalation of hexavalent chromium dusts is irritating and corrosive to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Chrome ulcers
<br /> and chrome dermatitis are common occupational health effects from prolonged and repeated exposure to hexavalent chromium compounds.
<br /> Acute exposures to hexavalent chromium dusts may cause coughing or wheezing, pain on deep inspiration, tearing, inflammation of the
<br /> conjunctiva, nasal itch, and soreness or ulceration of the nasal septum. Certain forms of hexavalent chromium have been found to cause
<br /> 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 of
<br /> direct handling.
<br /> ❑ Cutting Oils. Cutting oils may produce a condition known as"cutting oil acne,"a specific dermatosis associated with prolonged and repeated
<br /> direct contact. Other problems associated with continued occupational exposure to cutting fluids include allergic skin sensitization,folliculitis,
<br /> and squamous cell carcinoma due to the presence of nitrosamines.
<br /> ❑ Fuel Oil. See Petroleum Hydrocarbons(PHC)
<br /> ❑ Gasoline. See BTEX Compounds,and Tetraethyl and Tetramethyl Lead.
<br /> Partner Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan Page 11
<br /> Version 2.0 July 6,2021
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