Exposure to Toxic Components
Cleanup operations may expose workers to one or more of the following toxic components:
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
The following are some components of nitrogen dioxide:
- Gas with a distinctive reddish-brown color.
- Possible exposure from combustible engine exhaust (i.e., diesel fumes) and controlled burning operations.
Exposure to potentially toxic components.
Nitrogen Dioxide Health Risks
- respiratory irritant and is capable of causing pulmonary edema
- a concentration of 50 ppm (parts per million) is moderately irritating to the eyes and nose and may cause pulmonary edema and possibly subacute or chronic lesions in the lungs
- odor of NO2 is first perceptible to most people in the range of 0.11 to 0.22 ppm
Occupational Exposure Limits
Exposure limits regulated by OSHA and other agencies for NO2 range from 1-5 part-per-million (ppm) for a short 15 minute exposure period and 3-5 ppm average over a longer 8-hour exposure period.
NOTE: Workers should be informed that OELs based on standard times are not appropriate for monitoring. OELs do not include skin contact, absorption and ingestion which are common in cleanups.
Check with your site supervisor for additional guidance!
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-1. What you probably experience if exposed to nitrogen dioxide above 50 parts per million (ppm)?
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