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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,
<br /> decontamination solutions, or any other hazardous chemical most be accompanied by the required labels, Material Safety Data Sheets
<br /> (MSDS),and employee training 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
<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
<br /> applicability of these regulations prior to any activities involving asbestos. The primary health effects of asbestos exposure include
<br /> asbestosis (a scarring of the lungs), lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other forms of cancer. Exposure to asbestos is regulated by a
<br /> comprehensive OSTIA standard(29 CFR 1910.1001).
<br /> ® BTEX Compounds. Exposure to the vapors of benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene, and xylenes above their respective permissible
<br /> exposure limits(PELs),as defined by OSHA,may produce irritation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract,nose,and
<br /> mouth. Overexposure may also result in the depression of the central nervous system. Symptoms of such exposure include drowsiness,
<br /> headache,fatigue,and drunken-like behavior. Benzene has been determined to be carcinogenic,targeting blood-forming organs and bone
<br /> marrow. The odor threshold for benzene is higher than the PEL and employees may be overexposed to benzene without sensing its
<br /> presence;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 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
<br /> soil or 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,
<br /> and the operation of internal combustion engines can produce significant quantities of CO. Amounts of CO can quickly rise to hazardous
<br /> levels in poorly ventilated areas. CO is odorless and colorless. It cannot be detected without appropriate monitoring equipment. LEUO2
<br /> meters and H-Nu/PID are not appropriate for the detection of CO. A direct reading instrument, calibrated for CO, should be used.
<br /> Common symptoms of overexposure include pounding of the heart,a dull headache,flashes before the eyes,dizziness,ringing in the ears,
<br /> and nausea These symptoms must not be relied upon in place of an appropriately calibrated monitoring instrument. Exposures should
<br /> not exceed 15 ppm. Exposures above 15 ppm require the use of supplied air respirators. Air purifying respirators are not approved for
<br /> protection against CO.
<br /> ® 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
<br /> vision,in-coordination,mental confusion, flushed skin,tremors,nausea,vomiting, fatigue,and cardiac arrhythmia Alcohol may make
<br /> symptoms of overexposure worse. If alcohol has been consumed, the overexposed worker may become flushed. Some of these
<br /> compounds are considered to be potential human carcinogens. Exposure to vinyl chloride is regulated by a comprehensive OSHA
<br /> standard(29 CFR 1910.1017).
<br /> ❑ 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,
<br /> tearing, inflammation of the conjunctiva, nasal itch, and soreness or ulceration of the nasal septum. Certain forms of hexavalent
<br /> chromium have 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
<br /> result of direct handling.
<br /> ❑ 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
<br /> sensitization,folliculitis,and squamous cell carcinoma due to the presence of nitrosamines.
<br /> ❑ Fuel Oil. See Petroleum Hydrocarbons(PHC)
<br /> M Gasoline. See BTEX Compounds,and Tetraethyl and Tetramethyl Lead.
<br /> Partner Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan Page 8
<br /> Version 1.02 May 4,2015
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