Benzene – General Awareness June 2007

June 2007 Rev. 1 2 Agenda Introduction Hazards Sources Exposure Routes Exposure Levels Elimination of Hazards Medical Requirements

June 2007 Rev. 1 3 Course Objectives Describe the health hazards of benzene Summarize the engineering and/or administrative controls that are in place to reduce employee exposure Describe personal hygiene habits and practices that will reduce exposure to benzene Name the personal protective equipment that must be worn to reduce employee exposures. Outline the limits of PPE use. Describe the requirements and purpose of the medical surveillance program

June 2007 Rev. 1 4 General Information Clear, colorless liquid with a pleasant, sweet odor Odor does not provide adequate warning of hazard Highly flammable

June 2007 Rev. 1 5 Acute vs. Chronic Acute Effects that occur over a very short period of time usually from a high dose Chronic Effects that occur over an extended period of time usually from a low dose

June 2007 Rev. 1 6 Health Hazards of Benzene Acute exposure Central nervous system effects and death Immune system depression Bone marrow toxicity leading to aplastic anemia Chronic Exposure Chromosomal aberrations Blood disorders Cancer

June 2007 Rev. 1 7 Health Hazards Symptoms of acute overexposure are: Breathless Irritable Euphoric or giddy Irritation in eyes, nose, and respiratory tract Headache, dizziness, nausea, or intoxication Severe exposures may lead to convulsions and loss of consciousness.

June 2007 Rev. 1 8 Sources Benzene is used to make: plastics, rubber, resins and synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester Other uses include: as a solvent in printing and paints dry cleaning

June 2007 Rev. 1 9 Exposure Routes Inhalation Skin absorption Ingestion Skin and/or eye contact

June 2007 Rev Exposure Standards Time-weighted Average (TWA) – 1 ppm o for 8-hr day Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) – 5 ppm o for any 15 minute period

June 2007 Rev Elimination of Hazards Engineering controls Administrative controls Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

June 2007 Rev Engineering Controls Workplace and tool design Ventilation Product substitution Isolation Enclosure *If it can be documented that benzene is present less than 30 days a year then respirators can be used instead of engineering controls

June 2007 Rev Administrative Controls Training Work schedules Work practices Personal hygiene

June 2007 Rev Good Personal Hygiene Good housekeeping Don’t touch mouth, eyes, etc with gloves on Wash hands after working with benzene No eating or drinking

June 2007 Rev Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Respirators Must have Mine Safety and Health Administration and NIOSH seal of approval Cartridge or canisters must be replaced before end of service life or end of the shift, whichever occurs first

June 2007 Rev Personal Protective Equipment Appropriate protective clothing (boots, gloves, aprons, etc) for any part of the body that may be exposed to liquid benzene Splash proof safety goggles or face shield

June 2007 Rev Medical Requirements If exposed to concentrations at or above 0.5 ppm as an 8-hr TWA or exposed at or above 10 ppm in the past, medical examinations and history and lab tests will be performed within 60 days and annually thereafter

June 2007 Rev Questions If you have questions, contact your site safety supervisor or the H&S Department