Dangerous substances may escape during normal operations, particularly during shut downs or maintenance, making it necessary to wear a chemical protection suit. Employees often have to remove residues of various materials
and protect their skin from direct contact while cleaning. It
is also impossible to completely prevent hazardous fluids
or gases from escaping.
Typical hazardous materials in the chemical industry
Working in the chemical industry means to work with hazardous material: organic and inorganic substances are processed to get specific chemical products. Some of them are toxic for humans. Inter alias they can lead to skin irritation or chemical burn if direct contact to unprotected skin occurs.
Hydrogen sulphide (H2 S)
- Colorless, flammable gas, heavier than air
- Unpleasant odor at low concentrations but from approximately 200 ppm Human olfactory nerves no longer perceive it
- Deadly from 1,000 ppm
- Causes irritation upon contact with mucous membranes and tissue fluids in the eye, nose, throat or lungs
Hydrofluoric acid (HF)
- Clear fluid
- Strong odour
- Corrosive to skin, mucous membranes and the conjunctiva
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2 )
- Poisonous gas that smells strongly of chorine
- Causes headaches and dizziness
- Shortness of breath and pulmonary oedema at high concentrations
- Suffocation danger in poorly ventilated, low-ceiling or closed rooms
Ammonia (NH3 )
- Colourless
- Poisonous
- Extreme irritant both as gas or solution, even when highly diluted
- Strong odour
- Liquefies under pressure or at temperatures of less than -33°C
- Can cause chemical burns on eyes and skin
Credit to :
Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
Comments
Post a Comment