EHS Emergency Responder: Air Purifying Respirator Chemical Cartridges

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EHS Emergency Responder: Air Purifying Respirator Chemical Cartridges Training Module


EHS Emergency Response Truck Air Purifying Respirator Equipment Inventory Includes:

2 - North Series 76008A Full Face Air Purifying Respirators (Med/Lg. Size):

One is on the emergency response truck & one is on the emergency response

van.

The emergency response truck is also equipped with a North Full 76008A Full

Face Air Purifying Respirator-Size Small.

Each respirator is equipped with two pairs of combination multi-chemical

protective cartridges which are stored in their original manufacture sealed

bag.

They should only be opened in the event of an emergency. The emergency

response truck is also equipped with a pair of Mercury/Chlorine Cartridges.


Bellow is an illustration of the chemical protective cartridges that have been

issued to you and that are placed on the emergency response truck. Notice that

the color code is green and notice the letter abbreviations on the chemical

cartridge package. What class of chemicals do these cartridges protect you

against? The following slides explains this information.


EHS personnel are issued multi-chemical cartridges for emergency response actions. The

chemical cartridge symbols described on the cartridges are the following:

OV= Organic vapor family; (hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene)

HC= Hydrogen Chloride; (acid gas family) synonyms: Hydrochloric acid, Muriatic acid.

HF= Hydrogen Fluoride; (acid gas family) synonyms: Hydrofluoric acid

CD= Chlorine; (acid gas family) synonyms: Chlorine oxide, or chlorine peroxide.

AM= Ammonia (alkaline and base gas family)

FM= Formaldehyde; synonyms: Methanal

HS= Hydrogen Sulfide (escape only)

MA= Methylamine; synonyms: Aminomethane

The next slide provides more information regarding each of the listed chemical family.


1) The chemical cartridges are protective against Organic Vapors & Gases

Vapor: Carbon-based chemicals with relatively low vapor pressures areeffectively removed by physical adsorption in the spores of the activated carbon.

Vapors are the gaseous form of substances that are normally in the solid or liquid state at room temperature and pressure. They are formed by evaporation from a liquid or solid. Vapors can be generated during work processes at UNC and can be found where parts cleaning and painting takes place and where solvents are used. Solvents are used by paint shops and other areas such as laboratories. Some examples of vapors include compounds of benzene, toluene, styrene, and pesticide chemicals.

Vapors can includes many hydrocarbons (“organic vapors”) fuel vapors, Hexane, Acetone, Toluene, MEK, and carbon-based chemicals used on campus.


Vapors & Gases

Gasses: Gases are formless fluids that occupy the space or enclosure and which can be changed to the liquid or solid state only by the combined effect of increased pressure and decreased temperature.

Examples are welding gases such as acetylene, nitrogen, helium and argon; and carbon monoxide generated from the operation of internal combustion engines.

Another example is hydrogen sulfide, which is formed wherever there is decomposition of materials containing sulfur under reducing conditions. Other examples of gasses consist of formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, chlorine, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides.


Review of the pH Scale

pH Scale: is defined as the negative log of the hydrogen ion concentration. The logarithmic, scale, which ranges from 0 to 14, actually represents a concentration range from 1 mole/liter H+ to 1 mole/liter of OH_ . It is possible to have a pH greater than 14 or less than 1.

Some of the air contaminants that the chemical protective cartridges are protective against are acid gasses (low pH) and base or alkaline gases (high pH). The following slides review acid and alkaline gasses.

Some common pHs: (courtesy: Wikipedia website)


2) The chemical cartridges are also protective against “Acid Gases”.

Acid Gases: Many of the acid gasses posses high vapor pressures and are difficult for activated carbon to adsorb. Therefore the charcoal in the respirator cartridges are chemically treated to react with acid gasses to either decompose them into non-hazardous gasses or to convert them into chemical compounds which are retained on the carbon surface.

• Acid gasses have a pH less than 7 ; health effects of exposure can cause severe burning of the lungs, skin, and eyes. Extreme caution must be taken when responding to these substances.

•Always review the MSDS and product literature prior to responding or entering areas with personal protective equipment where these substance are spilled or may be encountered.

•The next slide illustrates some examples of acid gasses.


Acid Gases: Some examples of acid gasses that may be encountered on campus during response actions and compounds which the selected respirator cartridges are protective include:

HCl, Hydrogen Chloride- (synonyms: hydrochloric acid or muriatic acid), found in some UNC-CH labs on campus as lab bottles.

Chlorine- A type of acid gas, found in some UNC-CH labs on campus, and in briquette (solid) form such as used at swimming pools for water chemistry treatment.

Sulfur Dioxide- also found in some UNC-CH labs on campus in liter size bottles.

Hydrogen Sulfide- the cartridges provide protection for escape only.

Hydrogen Fluoride- (synonyms: Hydrofluoric acid or aqueous hydrogen fluoride)- can be found in laboratories; These chemical cartridges protect against this highly toxic acid gas.


Vapors & Gases- Acid Gasses (e.g. Hydrochloric Acid)

Acid Gases: Hydrogen chloride readily dissolves in water to form

hydrochloric acid, a corrosive solution. Hydrochloric acid is most often used

as a chemical intermediate to manufacture other chemicals and is used for

the pickling/cleaning of metal surfaces. At room temperature it is a colorless,

non-flammable gas with an unpleasant, acrid odor. Technical grades of

hydrochloric acid are called muriatic acid. Muriatic acid is often yellow in

color due to its impurity.

Common Routes of Hydrochloric Acid Exposure: (Inhalation, skin contact,

eye contact)

Inhalation. The most common way for hydrochloric acid to enter the body is

through the respiratory system. Signs and symptoms of hydrochloric acid

inhalation can include: Coughing, Choking, Burning of the throat

Contact with the Skin. Hydrochloric acid can irritate the skin and cause

chemical burns ranging from mild to severe depending on the concentration

of the hydrochloric acid solution. Concentrated vapor or solution may cause

pain, redness of the skin, and blisters. Signs displayed by skin exposed to

liquefied hydrochloric acid can include frostbite, tissue death, or severe burns


Vapors & Gases- Acid Gasses (e.g. Sulfuric Acid)

Acid Gases: Sulfuric acid is a corrosive, oily, colorless liquid when pure. Impure

grades of sulfuric acid, is brownish in color. Sulfuric acid is most often used as a

chemical intermediate to manufacture other chemicals and is also used for the

pickling or cleaning of metal surfaces. It is used at the Energy Services Co-

Generation Facility.

Common Routes of Sulfuric Acid Exposure

Inhalation. The most common way for sulfuric acid to enter the body is through the

respiratory system. Serious lung damage may result from inhalation exposure to

sulfuric acid.

Contact with the Skin. Sulfuric acid can irritate the skin and cause chemical burns

ranging from mild to severe, depending on the concentration of the sulfuric acid

solution. Concentrated vapor or solution that contacts the skin may cause the victim

to experience severe pain, redness of the skin, blisters and necrosis.

Contact with the Eyes. Sulfuric acid or sulfuric acid vapor, even with short-term

exposure, can irritate the eyes and cause burning, swelling, tearing of the eyes

and/or blurred vision, and may cause blindness.

•For more information regarding sulfuric acid, recommend reviewing the U.S.


Vapors & Gases- Acid Gasses (e.g. Chlorine)

Acid Gases: Chlorine is often used as a bleaching agent, in treatment of sewage

effluent, for water purification, and as a disinfectant. At room temperature it is a

yellow-green gas with a sharp, burning odor. It becomes a clear, reddish colored

liquid under increased pressure or at temperatures below minus 30 degrees F.

Chlorine is usually shipped as a compressed liquid in steel cylinders. The sheer

volume of chlorine required to meet the needs of users places it on the list of the top

ten chemicals produced in the US.

Common Routes of Chlorine Exposure

Inhalation. The most common way for chlorine to enter the body is through the

respiratory system. Signs and symptoms of chlorine inhalation can include:

Rapid, difficult breathing

Bluish skin color

Wheezing and congestion

Cough

Nausea and dizziness

Burning, irritated throat

Swelling or narrowing of the airways


Vapors & Gases- Acid Gasses (e.g. Chlorine)Absorption through the Skin. Chlorine can be absorbed through the skin and cause

burns ranging from mild to severe depending on the length of contact. The victim may

also experience pain, inflammation or swelling, and blisters. Symptoms displayed by

skin exposed to liquid chlorine can include frostbite or tissue death.

Absorption through the Eyes. Chlorine can also be absorbed through the eyes and

cause burning or discomfort, irregular blinking, involuntary closing of the eyelids,

redness, and tearing. Larger amounts of chlorine in the air may lead to severe eye

burns, pain, and blurred vision.

Ingestion. Chlorine may cause tissue injury upon swallowing.

Acute Health Effects of Chlorine Exposure

Generally the more severe the chlorine exposure, the more severe the symptoms.

However, even minor exposures to chlorine can cause immediate burning of the eyes,

nose, and throat. These symptoms can help to warn people of potentially hazardous

exposure levels. But continued exposure can lead to tolerance to these irritant effects

and victims may no longer be aware of chlorine's presence. The very young, the very

old, and people with health problems are at an increased risk from the health effects

of chlorine exposure.

Because chlorine is heavier than air, it can push the air in a room up over itself as it

moves. This can lead to suffocation in poorly ventilated, enclosed, or low-lying areas.

•For more information regarding chlorine or any of the additional listed acid gasses,


3) Your cartridges are also protective against Alkaline Gasses (e.g. Base Gasses).

Alkalines & Base gasses : The charcoal in the issued respirator cartridges are chemically treated to react with base gasses to either decompose them into non-hazardous gasses or to convert them into chemical compounds which are retained on the carbon surface.

pH >7-14 , health effects of exposure can cause severe burning of the lungs, skin, and eyes. Extreme caution must be taken when responding to these substances.

Below are some examples of Alkaline (Base Gasses).


Alkaline and Base Gases

Alkalines & Base gasses : pH >7-14 , Some examples of acid gasses that may be encountered on campus during response actions and compounds which your respirator cartridges are protective include:

Ammonia- (NH3, synonyms: Anhydrous or aqueous ammonia)- is the representative test agent for the base gas family.

Ammonia can produce irritation to severe burning of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and lungs. Internally, ammonia can cause chemical asphyxiation, by altering the oxygen carrying hemoglobin.

Ammonia can be found as a compound with other chemicals at some areas on campus (e.g. Ammonium Nitrate- Fertilizer in particulate form found at Grounds Department).


Alkaline and Base Gases-Ammonia

Ammonia: Ammonia is often used for agricultural purposes, for

refrigeration, and as a cleaner when dissolved in water. At room temperature

it is a colorless, flammable gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. It becomes a

clear, colorless liquid under increased pressure. Ammonia is usually shipped as

a compressed liquid in steel cylinders. Anhydrous ammonia is the form used

primarily in refrigeration and agriculture (Note: But is not known to be used

a UNC-CH for industrial processes!!).

Ammonia dissolves in water to form ammonium hydroxide, a corrosive solution.

Concentrations of ammonium hydroxide vary from 5 percent to 10 percent for

household use and 25 percent or more for industrial use. The sheer volume of

ammonia required to meet the needs of users places it on the list of the top ten

chemicals produced in the U.S.


Alkaline and Base Gases-Ammonia

Ammonia Inhalation. The most common way for ammonia to enter the body is

through the respiratory system. Signs and symptoms of ammonia inhalation

can include:

Coughing

Hoarseness

Narrowing of bronchi

Narrowing of throat and swelling causing upper airway obstruction

Accumulation of fluid in the lungs

Chest pain

Runny nose, Tearing of the eyes, Impaired vision, Headache, Dizziness


Alkaline and Base Gases-AmmoniaAmmonia: Contact with the Skin. Ammonia can irritate the skin and cause chemical

burns ranging from mild to severe depending on the concentration of the ammonia

solution. Concentrated vapor or solution may cause the victim to experience pain, redness

of the skin, and blisters. Signs displayed by skin exposed to liquefied ammonia can

include frostbite, tissue death, or severe burns with deep ulcerations.

Contact with the Eyes. Ammonia, even at low concentrations, can irritate the eyes and

cause burning, swelling, photophobia, sloughing of the surface cells of the eye, and may

cause blindness.

Ingestion. Immediate burning in the mouth and throat occur when ammonium hydroxide is

swallowed. Ingestion of concentrated solution can cause severe pain in the mouth, chest,

and abdomen, swallowing difficulty, drooling, and vomiting. Burns and perforation of the

esophagus or stomach can occur.

Acute Health Effects of Ammonia Exposure

As the concentration of ammonia increases, the symptoms become more severe. Acute

exposures to ammonia can cause immediate burning of the eyes, nose, throat and/or

respiratory system and could even result in death. Itchy eyes, coughing and a burning

nose can help to warn people of potentially hazardous exposure levels. But continued

short-term exposure can lead to tolerance to the ammonia scent, and victims may no

longer be aware of ammonia's presence.

•For more information regarding Ammonia or any of the alkaline (base) gasses,


4) Your Cartridges are also protective against Formaldehyde gas

Formaldehyde (synonyms: Methanal, Methyl aldehyde, Methylene oxide);

Formaldehyde is used in labs in liter bottles as an agent fixative, as a preservative in medical laboratories, as an embalming fluid, and as a sterilizer.

Acute exposure to the gas phase of formaldehyde is highly irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat and can provoke coughing and wheezing.

The gas is nearly colorless with a pungent, suffocating odor.

Acute exposure to formaldehyde liquid can cause severe skin burns and can damage your eyes.

For more information regarding Formaldehyde, recommend reviewing the IH online training module or reviewing the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA/EPA Occupational Chemical Database at: https://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata/

https://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata/


5) Your multi-chemical cartridges are also protective against Methyl Amine.

Methyl Amine: is the chemical compound that is a derivative of ammonia, and is the simplest amine compound. It can be found as the anhydrous gas in pressurized metal containers and can be found in chemical containers in laboratories on campus.

It has a strong odor similar to rotten fish. Methylamine is used as a building block for the synthesis of other organic compounds, including many illicit drugs. It is a corrosive liquid and gas and is an inhalation hazard and is flammable.

For more information regarding physical or health hazards of any of the chemical class reviewed, recommend researching the U.S. OSHA EPA Occupational Chemical Database at https://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_compound

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anhydrous

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_compounds

https://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata/


6) Disposal of Multi-Chemical Cartridges:

Based on the exposure condition, a chemical cartridge change out schedule will be developed based on objective information (e.g. exposure monitoring data) to ensure that the chemical cartridges are changed out before chemicals can break-through the sorbent material.

A specific change out schedule will be developed based on the chemical(s) present and the environmental conditions during the response action.

However, as an additional safety factor, it is recommended that the chemical cartridges be disposed after the response action even if it is determined that the chemical cartridges can be used for a longer period of time.


Mercury Vapor Cartridges (See below illustration):

When respiratory protection is needed for Mercury vapor exposure, the use of specific Mercury Vapor cartridges are needed. They are different from the multi-chemical cartridges because the Mercury vapor cartridges are equipped with an end of service life indicator (ESLI) on the cartridge.

This is illustrated below. The ESLI is the yellow strip on the bottom of the cartridge. Upon saturation with mercury vapor, the strip will turn from yellow to a different darker color. The cartridge would then need to be disposed of upon saturation and color change from yellow to a darker color.


Mercury Vapor Cartridges (See below illustration):

EHS Emergency Responder: Air Purifying Respirator Chemical Cartridges

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