Chemical industry - 1,986 entries found

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2000

CIS 00-1033 Čigrin V.D., Bobrikov V.V.
Plant safety in coal beneficiation and processing plants of Russia
Sostojanie promyšlennoj bezopasnosti na ugleobogatitel'nyh i uglepererabatyvajuščih predprijatijah Rossii [in Russian]
Despite improved safety engineering, the accident rate in coal beneficiation and briquetting plants in Russia remains high. This is attributed to inadequate organization, technical defects and inadequate instruction about dangerous work. The article laments the cessation of financing of research on technical standards and safe technologies, and suggests a financing scheme. The article is also critical of the lack of activity of the Coal Committee in the Russian Federal Fuel and Energy Ministry. Finally, the article deplores massive violations of work safety and discerns a critical state of the sector.
Bezopasnost' truda v promyšlennosti, 2000, No.4, p.9-12.

CIS 00-678
Health and Safety Executive
Handle with care - Assessing musculoskeletal risks in the chemical industry
This manual is aimed at employers and employees to help them assess the risks of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) arising from the various tasks, workloads and work environments in the chemical industry. It includes check lists for assessing the risks from manual handling and working at screens, as well as assessing the MSD risks to the upper extremities. 14 case study exercises based on typical tasks carried out within the chemical industry are described, and the readers or participants are encouraged to conduct the risk assessment themselves or in group work. Suggested answers are included for each of the cases. A blank form enables users to describe the tasks they carry out and to assess the MSD risks of their specific job.
HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 2000. iv, 112p. (perforated sheets for ring binder) Illus. 14 ref.

CIS 00-803 Vanhanen M., Tuomi T., Tiikkainen U., Tupasela O., Voutilainen R., Nordman H.
Risk of enzyme allergy in the detergent industry
To assess the prevalence of enzyme sensitization in a detergent factory, 40 workers in manufacturing, packing and maintenance, and 36 non-exposed persons in the management and sales departments were subjected to skin prick and radioallergosorbent tests. Nine workers were sensitized to enzymes in the exposed group of 40, whereas none were sensitised in the non-exposed group. All the sensitized workers had symptoms at work; all had rhinitis and one had asthma. Airborne protease concentrations were generally <20ng/m³, but occasional peak values up to 80ng/m³ were detected in the packing and maintenance tasks, and high values of >1µg/m³ in the mixing area. Despite the use of encapsulated enzyme preparations, high enzyme concentrations in workplace air are possible, resulting in a higher risk of sensitization than expected.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Feb. 2000, Vol.57, No.2, p.121-125. 24 ref.

1999

CIS 04-41 Tanimura T.
Nippon-Paint Aichi plant safety activity: Training employees to be experts in safety
Nippon-peinto Aichi jigyōsho no anzen-katsudō: Anzen ni tsuyoi hito-zukuri [in Japanese]
Description of how a Japanese manufacturing plant trained its staff to a much higher level of safety awareness and knowledge.
Journal of the Japan Society for Safety Engineering - Anzen kōgaku, 1999, Vol.38, No.4, p.262-265. Illus.

CIS 04-136 Wieczorek Z., Augustyńska D., Drygała M., Gierasimiuk J., Konarska M., Pośniak M.
Occupational safety and health in small business - Occupational safety and health in the plastics industry - OSH check list; Employers' guide
Bezpieczeństwo i higiena pracy w małych przedsiębiorstwach - Bezpieczeństwo i higiena pracy w zakładach przetwórstwa tworzyw sztucznych - Lista kontrolna bhp; Poradnik pracodawcy [in Polish]
The check list for the evaluation of occupational safety and health in the plastics industry is designed for use in conjunction with the corresponding employer's guide. It lists the potential hazards that may be found in these workplaces and provides suggestions for their control or elimination. It also contains a list of relevant Polish legislation and technical standards.
Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy, ul. Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warszawa, Poland, 1998-1999. 25+32p. 49 ref.

CIS 03-817 Pośniak M.
Chemical hazards in selected technological processes
Zagrożenia chemiczne w wybranych procesach technologicznych [in Polish]
This publication is aimed at persons responsible for assessing occupational exposure to harmful substances involved in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene and its compounds, polyurethanes, as well as in the rubber industry and during impregnation. For each substance or process, it discusses sources of chemical hazards, health effects, sampling and analysis methods in the work environment, methods of hazard control and methods of neutralizing the harmful substances. See also CIS 03-804, which covers several other industrial processes.
Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy, ul. Czerniakowska 16, 00-701 Warszawa, Poland, 1999. 171p. Illus. Bibl.ref.

CIS 02-1333
Japan Chemical Industry Ecology-Toxicology and Information Center
JETOC Information Sheet - 1999:1
Contents of this issue: I. Laws, regulations and related matters in Japan: results of biodegradation tests on 36 substances; total volume of production and importation of 27 Designated Chemical Substances for 1997; list of 14 new and 2 existing chemical substances indicating positive results in mutagenicity tests; 196 new chemical substances notified; amendments to the Poisonous Substances legislation; new regulations in the United States, the EU, Canada and Australia; II: New books and documents available at JETOC.
JETOC Information Sheet, Jan.-Mar. 1999, No.36, p.1-25. Bibl.ref.

CIS 02-324 Jessel W.
Gas alarm systems - Planning and design
Gaswarnanlagen - Planung und Auslegung [in German]
In chemical plants, electrochemical sensors are commonly used for monitoring toxic gases in the lower ppm range. Infrared and calorimetric sensors are used for monitoring flammable gases in concentrations below the lower explosive limit. The sensors are connected with alarm systems which trigger preventive actions such as closing valves, cooling hot surfaces or inerting ducts. The variables which need to be known when designing gas monitoring systems are described. They include the locations where gases might leak, the types of gases and quantities that might escape, the number of gas sensors, the type of gas sensors, the monitoring method such as spot, area and fence monitoring, the calibration method and the limits at which countermeasures are triggered.
Drägerheft, Dec. 1999, No.370, p.2-6. Illus.

CIS 02-381 Tan K.T.
National University of Singapore
Control of fugitive emission losses in the chemical and petroleum industries
Valves, pressure relief devices and flanges are the major common sources of fugitive emissions. This paper provides some examples of engineering measures and technological innovations to control and abate the common sources of leaks from chemical processing plants, petrochemical complex and refineries.
Chemical and Process Engineering Centre News, Oct. 1999, p.1-4.

CIS 01-1756
Japan Chemical Industry Ecology-Toxicology and Information Center
JETOC information sheet - 1999:4
Contents of this issue: I. Laws, regulations and related matters: 173 new chemical substances notified; amendment of ordinance on poisonous and deleterious substances; publication on survey on substances suspected to be environmental hormones; results of measurements of harmful air pollutants in 1998; new regulations in the United States, the EU, Canada and Korea; II. Toxicological data and information of chemical substances: citation of an IARC publication; III. New books and documents available at JETOC.
JETOC Information Sheet, Oct.-Dec. 1999, No.41, p.1-25. Bibl.ref.

CIS 01-1755
Japan Chemical Industry Ecology-Toxicology and Information Center
JETOC information sheet - 1999:3
Contents of this issue: I. Laws, regulations and related matters: situation with respect to the implementation of the chemical substances control law (CSCL); 127 new chemical substances notified; enforcement of the law concerning reporting of releases to the environment of specific chemical substances and promoting improvement in their management and of the specific action law concerning measures to protect human health from dioxins; new regulations in the United States and the EU; II. Toxicological data and information of chemical substances: citation of 2 IARC publications; III. New books and documents available at JETOC.
JETOC Information Sheet, July-Sep. 1999, No.40, p.1-18. Bibl.ref.

CIS 01-1754
Japan Chemical Industry Ecology-Toxicology and Information Center
JETOC information sheet - 1999:2
Contents of this issue: I. Laws, regulations and related matters: 124 new chemical substances notified; 3 items added to the lists of environmental standards for for consumption of water; publication of the environmental survey of endocrine disruptors in water for 1998; new regulations in the United States, the EU and Canada; II. Toxicological data and information of chemical substances: information on the NTP management status report; III. New books and documents available at JETOC; IV. Activity of JETOC: meetings and seminars held in Japan in 1998.
JETOC Information Sheet, Apr.-June 1999, No.39, p.1-18. Bibl.ref.

CIS 01-1497 Jarry J.
Dust explosions
Explosions de poussières [in French]
Since the explosion of a silo in 1997 in Blaye, France, the French ministry responsible for the environment has been focussing its actions on explosions of food products (cereals, cocoa beans, sugar, flour and powdered milk). However, an analysis of actual accident occurrences shows that under certain conditions, products such as plastic material dust, pigments, aspirin, coal, carbon black and wood dust can give rise to explosions that are potentially more serious than those involving food products. Topics covered include: mechanisms of dust explosions; research; hazard evaluation methods; accidents having occurred in France; case descriptions (silo explosion in Blaye, explosion in a painting cabin, safety features in sugar storage at a sugar manufacturer); hazard prevention; standards and regulations in France and in the European Union.
Face au risque, Apr. 1999, No.352, p.39-45. Illus. 12 ref.

CIS 01-1191 Major chemical accidents of modern times
Les grands accidents chimiques modernes [in French]
This article briefly presents the major chemical accidents having occurred during the 20th century; Oppau (Germany, 1921, ammonium nitrate); Ludwigshafen (Germany, 1948, dimethyl ether); Texas City (USA, 1947, ammonium nitrate); Brest (France, 1947, ammonium nitrate); Los Alfaques (Spain, 1978, propylene); Texas City (USA, 1978, isobutane); Mexico City (Mexico, 1984, hydrocarbons); Bhopal (India, 1984, methyl isocyanate); Dakar (Senegal, 1992, liquid ammonia).
Préventique-Sécurité, July-Aug. 1999, No.46, p.20-25. Illus.

CIS 01-1088 Güemez Sandoval C.J.
Permanent disability following occupational accidents according to type of injury, affected region and selected risk indicators in Mexican oil industry workers
Incapacidades permanentes secundarias a accidentes de trabajo por tipo de lesión, región afectada y algunos indicadores de riesgo en trabajadores petroleros mexicanos [in Spanish]
Between 1990 and 1993, 8,638 occupational accidents were recorded in the Mexican oil industry and 1,685 workers (19.5%) had some degree of permanent disability. The most frequently injured parts of the body were the hands and wrists, and the main sequela was amputation. The incidence of lesions was higher in men than in women; this can be explained by the fact that women are not assigned to high-risk activities. A linear increase of incidence with age was observed. The study shows a high proportion of injured workers with high degree of disability.
Condiciones de trabajo, Jan.-Apr. 1999, Vol. XXIII, No.1, p.15-20. 7 ref.

CIS 01-531 Greiner H.
VIK-recommended motors for applications in the chemical and petrochemical industries
VIK-Motoren für Anwendungen in der Chemie und Petrochemie [in German]
The recommendations of the Association of Industrial Power Generation and Distribution (Verband der Industriellen Energie- und Kraftwirtschaft (VIK)) in Germany concerning the design of asychronous three-phase motors have been revised. The new version went into effect in April 1999. The most important changes with respect to the earlier version are outlined. Topics covered include safe and explosion-proof design, materials to be used, voltage, polarity, thermal requirements, lubrication, cable lugs and limitation of the noise level. The main features of an electric motor specially designed for use in the chemical and petrochemical industries are presented.
de - der Elektromeister + Deutsches Elektrohandwerk, July 1999, Vol.74, No.14, p.1112-1119. Illus. 6 ref.

CIS 01-167 Cherrie J.W., McIntosh C., Ritchie P., Sewell C.
Health and Safety Executive
Voluntary reporting by UK industry of occupational exposure data on chemicals - A feasibility study
The objective of this study was to develop a cost-effective method of obtaining occupational exposure data on chemicals from industry in the United Kingdom and from other sources with a view to transfer the data to the Health and Safety Executive's National Exposure Database. Five different approaches were used to identify data for three selected chemicals: contact with trade associations, a survey of likely users of the chemicals, contacts with groups of occupational hygienists, contacts with major users or producers of hazardous substances and contact with local and national government organizations. Costs of identifying and collecting exposure data were estimated. The most cost-effective was the survey of major users, followed by occupational hygienists. Other approaches were significantly more expensive.
HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, June 1999. viii, 80p. Illus. 25 ref. Price: GBP 25.00.

CIS 01-143 Robert A., Ducos P., Francin J.M.
Biological monitoring of workers exposed to 4,4'-methylene-bis-(2-orthochloroaniline) (MOCA)
The objectives of the study were to investigate and to validate a new and simple method to determine MOCA in the urine of exposed workers, to identify the best urinary marker of exposure to MOCA and to study its applicability in exposure evaluation in polyurethane resin production plants. Urinary MOCA markers were measured in urine samples collected at the end of the workshifts. Forty workers from four factories were observed for three consecutive days in the same week. "Free" MOCA in non-acid- stabilized urines, "total" MOCA in urines after alkaline hydrolyses, "acid-labile" MOCA in sulfamic or citric acid-protected urines were measured in all urine samples. MOCA liberated by heating the non-acid-stabilized urines ("heat-labile" MOCA) was also measured in 17 urine samples of exposed workers. MOCA measured in sulfamic acid-protected urine samples without hydrolyses provides a more practical and reliable biomarker than "total" MOCA (after hydrolysis) or "free" MOCA. A biological guiding value of 20µg/L expressed as "sulfamic acid-labile" MOCA is proposed.
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, July 1999, Vol.72, No.4, p.223-237. Illus. 70 ref.

CIS 00-1716
Health and Safety Executive
Major accident prevention policies for lower-tier COMAH establishments
Topics: chemical industry; criteria document; data sheet; hazard evaluation; major hazards; safety and health documentation; safety engineering; total loss control; United Kingdom.
HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS, United Kingdom, Mar. 1999. 4p. 4 ref.

CIS 00-1669 Merget R., Topcu M., Friese K., Vormberg R., Fuchs T., Raulf-Heimsoth M., Breitstadt R.
A cross-sectional study of workers in the chemical industry with occupational exposure to hexamethylenetetramine
To assess the health effects of hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) on the airways and skin of workers in the chemical industry, a cross-sectional study was performed with 17 employees of a HMT-producing chemical plant and 16 control subjects from the plant, as well as 4 subjects who had left the production for medical reasons. A high proportion of exposed subjects and controls reported symptoms during the previous year, most of them were not related to work. Work-related symptoms and objective parameters did not show differences between groups. No cases of sensitization to HMT as assessed by skin prick tests or patch tests were found. Among those who had left the HMT production for medical reasons, 2 former workers showed sensitization to HMT by patch tests. These reported eczema during exposure but lost symptoms after removal from exposure. High exposures to HMT may cause allergic contact dermatitis. There was no evidence of an increased risk for occupational asthma.
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nov. 1999, Vol.72, No.8, p.533-538. Illus. 11 ref.

CIS 00-1704 Cozzani V., Nardini G., Petarca L., Zanelli S.
Accident analysis at a solvent recovery plant
An experimental investigation of an accident in a solvent recovery plant was carried out using calorimetric and thermogravimetric techniques. The immediate cause of the accident was an unforeseen exothermic decomposition reaction. The main underlying cause of the accident was the absence of safety culture in the plant management. A simplified screening procedure based on differential scanning calorimetry was used in order to test the thermal stability of the nonvolatile fraction of the solvent-contaminated wastes present on the plant in order to be processed. More than 75% of the samples examined showed exothermal decomposition phenomena starting at temperatures higher than 100°C. Our analysis of the accident suggested that the safe operation of waste solvent recovery processes requires an accurate characterization of the thermal stability of the process feed. Process safety is also increased by an adequate emergency vent and an accurate control of operating temperature, that may be reduced operating under vacuum. Safety devices may also include a water supply for emergency quench.
Journal of Hazardous Materials, June 1999, Vol.67, No.2, p.145-161. Illus. 11 ref.

CIS 00-963
Health and Safety Executive
The complete idiot's guide to CHIP
This guide explains the basic requirements of the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1994 (CHIP) (see CIS 93-1424). Responsibilities of chemical suppliers are described in terms of classification of substances, provision of hazard information (safety data sheets, labelling) and packaging. Responsibilities of chemical manufacturers and importers are also outlined. Replaces CIS 95-488.
HSE Books, P.O. Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, United Kingdom, 1999. 27p. Illus. 15 ref.

CIS 00-1050 Leng G., Lewalter J.
Role of individual susceptibility in risk assessment of pesticides
This study presents criteria for assessing the individual pesticide burden of workers in the chemical industry. A group of 1003 workers exposed to methylparathion or ethylparathion (alkyl phosphates), propoxur (carbamate) or cyfluthrin (pyrethroid) was investigated. After exposure, plasma concentrations of the products or their metabolites, p-nitrophenol concentration in urine, and activities of cholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase were measured. At the same propoxur concentration, only workers with a low individual acetylcholinesterase activity reported symptoms. Workers who metabolized cyfluthrin rapidly reported fewer symptoms than workers with a lower rate of metabolism. This tendency was also evident in cases of mixed exposure (cyfluthrin and methylparathion). In the assessment of exposure to pesticides, susceptibility of the individual person has to be considered.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, July 1999, Vol.56, No.7, p.449-453. Illus. 36 ref.

CIS 00-790 Padungtod C., Niu T., Wang Z., Savitz D.A., Christiani D.C., Ryan L.M., Xu X.
Paraoxonase polymorphism and its effect on male reproductive outcomes among Chinese pesticide factory workers
The effects of the human paraoxonase gene (PON1) genotypes on male reproductive outcomes and its interaction with exposure to organophosphate pesticides were examined in 60 Chinese pesticide-factory workers and 89 textile-factory workers who were unexposed to pesticides. The respective allele frequencies of Arg₁₉₂ and Gln₁₉₂ were 0.62 and 0.38. Pesticide exposure among 36 exposed subjects and 12 unexposed subjects, regardless of gender, was assessed by personal measurement of pesticide residues over an entire 8-hr shift and measurement of urinary p-nitrophenol level over a 24-hr period. Semen and hormone data collected from male subjects were analysed. Exposed Arg₁₉₂ homo/heterozygotes had significantly lower sperm count and lower percentage of sperm with normal morphology than the reference group. Both unexposed Gln₁₉₂ homozygotes and exposed Arg₁₉₂ homo/heterozygotes showed significantly lower sperm concentrations than the reference group. In addition, exposed Arg₁₉₂ homo/heterozygotes had significantly higher serum LH levels than the reference group.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Sep. 1999, Vol.36, No.3, p.379-387. 29 ref.

CIS 00-723 Padungtod C., Hassold T.J., Millie E., Ryan L.M., Savitz D.A., Christiani D.C., Xu X.
Sperm aneuploidy among Chinese pesticide factory workers: Scoring by the FISH method
Cases from a pesticide-manufacturing plant in Anhui, China, and controls from a nearby textile factory were recruited. Pesticide workers were exposed to ethyl parathion or methamidophos at a median level of 0.02mg/m³. Semen was collected from each subject. Scoring was based on three-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Median semen parameters for exposed (and unexposed) men were: abstinence period, 3 days (4 days); sperm concentration, 52.8 x 10⁶/mL (53.1 x 10⁶/mL); proportion of sperm with normal motility, 50.5% (61.3%); and proportion of sperm with normal morphology, 59% (61.5%). The crude proportion of all aneuploidy combined was 0.30% and 0.19% for sperm from exposed and unexposed men, respectively. Poisson regression yielded significantly different crude risks of aneuploidy - 3.03 and 1.94 per 1,000 sperm from exposed and unexposed men, respectively. Regression coefficients remained statistically significant after adjustment for inter-technician variability giving a rate ratio of 1.51. It is concluded that occupational exposure to organophosphate pesticides moderately increases the prevalence of sperm aneuploidy.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Aug. 1999, Vol.36, No.2, p.230-238. Illus. 32 ref.

CIS 00-485 Burgess J.L., Kovalchick D.F., Kyes K.B., Thompson J.N., Barnhart S.
Hyperventilation following a large-scale hazardous-materials incident
Actual or perceived exposure to hazardous materials may result in physiological and psychological effects. However, hyperventilation following such exposures has not previously been reported. After a large-scale industrial release of oxides of nitrogen, five of 17 patients evaluated at a major trauma center were hyperventilating, as defined by arterial PCO₂ < 33mm Hg, and nine patients had arterial PCO₂ < 37mm Hg. First responders (rescue team members and paramedics) had a higher rate of hyperventilation than other occupational groups. Age, sex, marital status, decontamination and mode of arrival were not significantly associated with hyperventilation, although marital status was close to being significant. This study suggests that hyperventilation may be a common reaction after hazardous-materials incidents, and that certain populations may be at increased risk for this condition.
International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, July-Sep. 1999, Vol.5, No.3, p.194-197. 17 ref.

CIS 00-378 Duguid I.M.
Analysis of past incidents in the oil, chemical and petrochemical industries
Useful information can be drawn from past incidents and disasters. 500 incidents have been analysed with respect to frequencies, initial causes and responsibility. The largest category involving 10% of the incidents is runaway chemical reaction. Among other incident causes: corrosion and erosion (8%), modifications made to equipment or operating mode (8%), failing to meet the design specifications(7%), failure of safety instrumentation (6%), vibration (6%), uncontrolled releases (5%).
Loss Prevention News, Oct.-Dec. 1999, Vol.21, No.4, p.9-13.

CIS 00-376 Xia Z.L., Jin S.X, Zhou Y.L., Zhu J.L., Jin F.S., Hu D.L., Fu H., Jin T.Y., Christiani D.C.
Analysis of 541 cases of occupational acute chemical injuries in a large petrochemical company in China
Acute chemical intoxications in a large petrochemical company with 38,000 employees located near Shanghai, China, were analysed to determine the chemicals involved and incident cause. 350 incidents of acute chemical intoxication were recorded between 1977 and 1997, including a total of 541 workers with symptoms; 275 severe cases necessitated hospital admission. Main health problems were chemical irritation or inhalation responses (49.2%) and mild chemical poisoning (39.7%). Some severe cases, including 8 deaths, were recorded. The main causes of injury were lack of safety training (63%) and equipment failure (23%). The chemicals involved were asphyxiating gases (55.8%), irritating gases (20.5%) and other toxins.
International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, Oct.-Dec. 1999, Vol.5, No.4, p.262-266. 9 ref.

CIS 00-466 Myers J.E., Nell V., Colvin M., Rees D., Thompson M.L.
Neuropsychological function in solvent-exposed South African paint makers
Neuropsychological and neurological functions were investigated in 228 paint-manufacturing workers in two South African factories who were exposed to organic solvents. Exposure was expressed as both 1990 TLV equivalents (ACGIH) and as total hydrocarbon parts per million. The WHO neurobehavioral core test battery, the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System-2, and the UNISA Neuropsychological Assessment Procedure were used to measure outcomes, while a Vibratron II was used to measure peripheral vibration sensation. Exposures were generally below the TLV and no exposure effect was found. Only age predicted Vibratron scores. Neuropsychological tests were sensitive to educational level, age, alcohol consumption and cultural indicators. WHO tests showed good construct validity for neuropsychological functions and should be more formally validated for use in developing countries. Nevertheless, cultural dependence is evident for all neuropsychological tests, and methods for bypassing this problem in less developed settings are discussed.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Nov. 1999, Vol.41, No.11, p.1011-1018. 23 ref.

CIS 00-183 Kim I.H., Seo S.H.
Occupational chemical burns caused by bromine
Topics: bromine; case study; chemical burns; chemical industry; delayed effects; erythema; protective clothing; washing.
Contact Dermatitis, July 1999, Vol.41, No.1, p.43. 3 ref.

CIS 00-162 Sarkar T.K., Banerjee K.K., Sarkar A.K., Samanta A.
Evaluation of carbon monoxide exposure in an integrated coal chemical industry
An evaluation study of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure of workers in an integrated coal chemical industry was carried out. The highest mean environmental CO level was found to be 425ppm at the producer gas plant, whereas the mean minimum level was measured at 14.3ppm at pocking zones. In lock-hopper zones, the highest mean CO concentration was 338.7ppm during charging time. In the retort house, the mean CO level was 285ppm during charging time. The mean carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) level of producer gas plant employees was 5.84, whereas the level was found to be 4.93 in employees working in the retort house. These values were significantly altered in comparison to controls (mean level of 1.66). Results indicate significant exposure to CO in both the producer gas plant and the retort house, which caused different clinical manifestations in the employees.
Central European Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 1999, Vol.5, No.1, p.50-53. 10 ref.

CIS 00-181 Indulski J.A., Lutz W., Krajewska B.
Serum and urine p53 protein in bladder cancer patients and in workers occupationally exposed to genotoxic and mutagenic dyes
Blood serum and urine protein concentrations in patients with urinary bladder cancer and in people occupationally exposed to dusts containing genotoxic or mutagenic dyes were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Increased concentrations ranging from 30 to 289pg/ml of protein p53 in blood serum were found in 10 of 21 patients with bladder cancer. Elevated urine p53 protein concentrations ranging from 27 to 496pg/ml were found in 13 of the 21 patients with bladder cancer. These concentrations did not show any relationship with tumor stage. In the group of 29 healthy persons occupationally exposed to genotoxic and mutagenic dyes, p53 protein was detected in more than 40% of the test subjects, while in the control group of healthy persons who were not occupationally exposed to the carcinogenic agents, the corresponding figure was only 20%. The p53 protein levels were considerably lower than for the persons with bladder cancer. Urine protein p53 can serve as a useful occupational and environmental carcinogens.
Central European Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 1999, Vol.5, No.1, p.17-25. Illus. 23 ref.

CIS 00-187 Ferruz R., Peña J.A., Santamaría J.
Hazards at installations using chlorine
Peligrosidad en instalaciones de manejo de cloro [in Spanish]
Topics: chlorine; case study; causes of accidents; chemical industry; compressed gases; corrosion; dangerous substances; irritants; major hazards; threshold limit values; toxic gases.
Mapfre seguridad, 2nd Quarter 1999, Vol.19, No.74, p.35-43. Illus. 15 ref.

CIS 00-125 Delzell E., Beall C., Rodu B., Lees P.S.J., Breysse P.N., Cole P.
Case-series investigation of intracranial neoplasms at a petrochemical research facility
A case series of 17 intracranial neoplasms among 6,800 employees of a petrochemical research facility is described. Overall, there were 17 observed and 10.5 expected intracranial neoplasms, including 11/4.7 benign intracranial tumors and 6/5.9 brain cancers. All the brain cancers occurred among male research scientists or technicians. Four had worked at some time on the same floor of one building (standardized incidence ratio = 12.6), and several had worked on a research project with at least one other brain cancer case. The benign intracranial neoplasm cases did not have common building assignments or work activities. The occurrence pattern of brain cancers, but not that of benign tumors, suggests a possible occupational aetiology.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Oct. 1999, Vol.36, No.4, p.450-458. Illus. 28 ref.

CIS 00-172 Marsh G.M., Gula M.J., Youk A.O., Schall L.C.
Mortality among chemical plant workers exposed to acrylonitrile and other substances
The association between exposure to acrylonitrile (AN) and cancer mortality was studied for a cohort of workers from a chemical plant. Worker exposures were estimated quantitatively for AN and qualitatively for nitrogen products. No statistically significant excess mortality risks were observed among the total cohort for cancers of the stomach, lung, breast, prostate, brain, and hematopoietic system. A statistically significant bladder cancer excess was observed, based on four deaths (SMR = 7.01) among workers not exposed to AN. Among 518 AN-exposed workers, an excess of lung cancer was observed based on external (SMR = 1.32) and internal (RR = 1.98) comparisons. With the possible exception of lung cancer, little evidence was found that exposure to AN at levels experienced by these workers is associated with an increased risk of death from any cause including the implicated cancer sites.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Oct. 1999, Vol.36, No.4, p.423-436. 52 ref.

CIS 99-1816 Kletz T.
HAZOP and HAZAN - Identifying and assessing process industry hazards
Replaces CIS 92-1835. Topics: accident descriptions; accident investigation; analysis of accident causes; check lists; chemical industry; emergency organization; explosion hazards; fire behaviour; fire hazards; gases; hazard criteria; hazard evaluation; legislation; major hazards; manuals; mathematical models; process engineering; results of explosions; safety analysis; safety engineering; total loss control; toxic effects; toxic substances; training material; United Kingdom.
Institution of Chemical Engineers, Davis Building, 165-189 Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3HQ, United Kingdom, 4th ed., 1999. xi, 232p. Illus. Bibl.ref. Index.

CIS 99-1982 Chen M.L., Mao I.F., Wu M.T., Chen J.R., Ho C.K., Smith T.J., Wypij D., Christiani D.C.
Assessment of coke oven emissions exposure among coking workers
Personal breathing-zone samples of total particulates and of the benzene soluble fraction (BSF) of total particulates were taken from 88 coking workers and 59 referents for three consecutive days. The highest BSF concentrations were found among the topside oven workers, where 84% of samples exceeded the current permissible exposure limit of 150µg/m³ (8h TWA). The percentage of BSF in total particulates varied across job classifications, ranging from 0.3% in wharfmen to 24% in tar chasers. Area sampling indicated that the BSF concentration at the topside area was sixtyfold higher than at the administrative area, which was approximately 2km from the coke oven plant. Topics: airborne dust; aromatic hydrocarbons; coke oven gas; coking plants; exposure evaluation; job-exposure relation; personal sampling; polycyclic hydrocarbons; volatile substances.
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, Jan./Feb. 1999, Vol.60, No.1, p.105-110. Illus. 28 ref.

CIS 99-1958 Kolstad H.A., Bonde J.P., Spano M., Giwercman A., Zschiesche W., Kaae D., Larsen S.B., Roeleveld N.
Change in semen quality and sperm chromatin structure following occupational styrene exposure
Semen samples were collected from 23 reinforced plastics workers at the time of employment and after six months of styrene exposure and from 21 nonexposed farmers. Intraindividual changes in conventional semen parameters and sperm-DNA denaturation patterns were related to the internal dose of styrene exposure measured by postshift urinary mandelic acid. A significant decline in sperm density was seen during styrene exposure from 63.5 to 46.0 million sperm/ml, whereas no decline was seen in nonexposed subjects. Total sperm count was almost halved from an initial value of 175 million sperm/ejaculate. No relationship was apparent when the sperm parameters were related to internal levels of exposure. A small exposure-response relationship was shown for DNA-denaturation patterns. A declining sperm count following styrene exposure is suggested, although the findings of the internal and external comparisons are inconsistent. This may be due to the high intraindividual variability of semen parameters, the limited study size and a weak internal exposure gradient. Topics: styrene; mandelic acid; case-control study; determination in urine; DNA; exposure evaluation; genetic effects; individual susceptibility; plastics industry; reinforced plastics; spermatogenic disturbances.
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, May 1999, Vol.72, No.3, p.135-141. 29 ref.

CIS 99-1898 Galli E.
A sociological case study of occupational accidents in the Brazilian petrochemical industry
A case study of accidents occurring in a petrochemical plant located in South Eastern Brazil was based on comprehensive interviews with engineers and workers concerning major accidents. Information collected during the interviews highlighted the contrasts in how management and workers interpret industrial accidents. Some implications for actions are discussed. Topics: analysis of accident causes; Brazil; case study; causes of accidents; hazard evaluation; human factors; major hazards; petrochemical industry; plant safety organization; risk awareness; role of management; role of supervisory staff; social aspects; workers participation.
Accident Analysis and Prevention, July 1999, Vol.31, No.4, p.297-304. 23 ref.

CIS 99-1521 Divine B.J., Hartman C.M., Wendt J.K.
Update of the Texaco mortality study 1947-93: Part II. Analyses of specific causes of death for white men employed in refining, research, and petrochemicals
Patterns of mortality for specific causes of death with increases in the Texaco mortality study were examined to determine if the patterns were related to employment in the petroleum industry. Mortality from mesothelioma was examined for the total cohort and for two maintenance groups with the greatest potential for exposure to asbestos. Analyses of specific causes of death by duration of employment in various job and process units did not show any patterns which suggest that, other than for mesothelioma, any of these increases in mortalities were likely to have resulted from workplace exposures or from employment at one of the places included in the Texaco mortality study (see also CIS 99-1520). Topics: brain cancer; cancer; asbestos; cohort study; laboratory work; length of exposure; leukaemia; long-term study; lymphoma; mesothelioma; mortality; myeloma; occupation disease relation; petrochemical industry; petroleum refining.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Mar. 1999, Vol.56, No.3, p.174-180. 26 ref.

CIS 99-1520 Divine B.J., Hartman C.M., Wendt J.K.
Update of the Texaco mortality study 1947-93: Part I. Analysis of overall patterns of mortality among refining, research, and petrochemical workers
Information on the workers in the Texaco mortality study was updated to determine if the patterns of mortality had changed with 16 additional years of follow up. The overall mortality and most cause specific mortalities were lower than or similar to those for the general population of the USA. Slightly increased mortality was found for cancer of the pancreas, cancer of the brain and central nervous system, leukaemia, and cancer of other lymphatic tissue. There were significantly increased standard mortality ratios for brain cancer for those people employed as laboratory workers and on units with motor oil and for cancer of other lymphatic tissue for people employed on the fluid catalytic cracking unit. The results of the updated study showed a favourable mortality experience for employees in the Texaco mortality study compared with the USA population (see also CIS 99-1521). Topics: brain cancer; cancer; cohort study; diseases of central nervous system; laboratory work; leukaemia; long-term study; lymphoma; mortality; occupation disease relation; osteosarcoma; petrochemical industry; petroleum refining; tumour of the pancreas.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Mar. 1999, Vol.56, No.3, p.167-173. 11 ref.

CIS 99-1592 Sala M., Sunyer J., Otero R., Santiago-Silva M., Camps C., Grimalt J.
Organochlorine in the serum of inhabitants living near an electrochemical factory
The impact of occupational and lifestyle factors on concentrations of organochlorine compounds in a general population sample living near an electrochemical factory with a high airborne concentration of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was evaluated by collection of serum samples. HCB and polychlorinated biphenyls were detected in all samples; concentrations of HCB were the highest ever reported. This population incorporated HCB directly through occupation in the factory, by airborne pollution, and consumption of locally caught fish. Concentrations of other common organochlorine compounds were not higher than expected. Environmental exposures to these compounds deserve attention owing to their persistence and potential health effects. Topics: age-linked differences; hexachlorobenzene; chemical industry; cross-sectional study; determination in blood; exposure evaluation; neighbourhood populations; non-occupational factors; polychlorinated biphenyls; sex-linked differences.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Mar. 1999, Vol.56, No.3, p.152-158. Illus. 37 ref.

CIS 99-1267 Finkelstein M.M.
Maintenance work and asbestos-related cancers in the refinery and petrochemical sectors
Topics: asbestos; blue-collar workers; epidemiologic study; exposure evaluation; literature survey; lung cancer; maintenance and repair; mesothelioma; mortality; petrochemical industry; petroleum refining; radiographic testing; smoking; thermal insulation.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Feb. 1999, Vol.35, No.2, p.201-205. 18 ref.

CIS 99-1250 Järvinen P., Engström K., Riihimäki V., Ruusuvaara P., Setälä K.
Effects of experimental exposure to triethylamine on vision and the eye
Four people were exposed to triethylamine (TEA) for four hours at three concentration levels. After exposure to 40.6 mg/m³ TEA there was a marked oedema in the corneal epithelium and subepithelial microcysts. However, corneal thickness increased only minimally because of the epithelial oedema. The lachrymal concentrations of TEA were, on average, 41 times higher than the serum TEA concentrations. The vision was blurred in all subjects and visual acuity and contrast sensitivity had decreased in three of the four subjects. After exposure to TEA at 6.5 mg/m³ two subjects experienced symptoms, and contrast sensitivity had decreased in three of the four subjects. TEA caused a marked oedema and microcysts in corneal epithelium but only minor increases in corneal thickness. The effects may be mediated by the lachrymal fluid owing to its high TEA concentration. Four hour exposure to a TEA concentration of 3.0 mg/m³ seemed to cause no effects, whereas exposure to 6.5 mg/m³ for the same period caused blurred vision and a decrease in contrast sensitivity. Topics: amblyopia; biological threshold limits; trimethylamine; chemical industry; corneal damage; exposure evaluation; eyes; lacrimating agents; visual acuity; visual function disorders.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Jan. 1999, Vol.56, No.1, p.1-5. Illus. 11 ref.

1998

CIS 02-1332
Japan Chemical Industry Ecology-Toxicology and Information Center
JETOC Information Sheet - 1998:4
Contents of this issue: I. Laws, regulations and related matters in Japan: 35 chemical substances announced as Designated Chemical Substances; 145 new chemical substances notified; proposal for testing lists and testing rules and guidelines; new regulations in the United States, the EU, Australia, Canada and the Republic of Korea; II: Toxicological data and information of chemical substances: citation of the 1998 list of MAK and BAT values by the German Research Association; III. New books and documents available at JETOC.
JETOC Information Sheet, Oct.-Dec. 1998, No.35, p.1-23. Bibl.ref.

CIS 02-1331
Japan Chemical Industry Ecology-Toxicology and Information Center
JETOC Information Sheet - 1998:3
Contents of this issue: I. Laws, regulations and related matters in Japan: statistics of new notified chemical substances from 1992 to 1997; 128 new chemical substances notified; amendments to the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law; new regulations in the United States, the UE, Australia and the Republic of Korea; II: Toxicological data and information of chemical substances: citation of an EC guidance document on risk assessment for new notified substances; III. New books and documents available at JETOC.
JETOC Information Sheet, July-Sep. 1998, No.34, p.1-18. Bibl.ref.

CIS 02-1330
Japan Chemical Industry Ecology-Toxicology and Information Center
JETOC Information Sheet - 1998:2
Contents of this issue: I. Laws, regulations and related matters in Japan: 4433 new chemical substances notified; new regulations in the United States, the EU and Australia; II: Toxicological data and information of chemical substances: citation of IARC biennial report 1996/1997 and IARC meeting in 1998; III. New books and documents available at JETOC; IV Activity of JETOC: meetings and seminars held in Japan in 1997.
JETOC Information Sheet, Apr.-June 1998, No.33, p.1-52. Bibl.ref.

CIS 01-1162 Xu X., Cho S.I., Sammel M., You L., Cui S., Huang Y., Ma G., Padungtod C., Pothier L., Niu T., Christiani D., Smith T., Ryan L., Wang L.
Association of petrochemical exposure with spontaneous abortion
To assess the effect of petrochemical exposure on spontaneous abortion, a retrospective epidemiological study was conducted among women workers in a large petrochemical complex in China. 2,853 married women who reported at least one pregnancy participated in the study and were given a standardized questionnaire covering reproductive history, pregnancy outcomes, employment history, occupational exposure, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, indoor air pollution and demographic variables. There was a significantly increased risk of spontaneous abortion for women working in all of the production plants with frequent exposure to petrochemicals. The overall odds ratio (OR) was 2.7 after adjusting for potential confounders. An increased risk of spontaneous abortion was found with exposure to most chemicals, with significant results for benzene (OR 2.5), gasoline (OR 1.8) and hydrogen sulfide (OR 2.3).
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Jan. 1998, Vol.55, No.1, p.31-36. 24 ref.

CIS 00-1711 King R., Hirst R.
King's Safety in the process industries
Topics: chemical hazards; chemical industry; containment of spills; containment; corrosion; dioxins; electricity; emergency organization; equipment layout; explosion hazards; explosives; fire hazards; flammable substances; fuels; harmful substances; hazard criteria; hazard evaluation; hazard identification; history; hydrocarbons; ILO; inspection; legal aspects; legislation; maintenance; major hazards; manuals; mechanical hazards; occupational safety; offshore oil extraction; personal protective equipment; pressure limiting devices; process engineering; role of management; role of supervisory staff; safety analysis; safety by design; safety training in industry; transfer of technology; United Kingdom.
Arnold, Hodder Headline Group, 38 Euston Road, London, United Kingdom, 2nd ed., 1998. xii, 661p. Illus. Bibl.ref. Index.

CIS 00-1658 Scobbie E., Groves J.A.
Determination of dimethyl sulphate and diethyl sulphate in air by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
A method for measuring dimethyl sulfate (DMS) and diethyl sulfate (DES) in air was evaluated, both in the laboratory and in the workplace. The method involved sampling onto sorbent tubes containing Tenax TA, followed by thermal desorption and analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It was shown to be effective at measuring DMS and DES over the range 0.1 to 2 times the British occupational exposure limit of 0.05ppm for 8 hours.
Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Apr. 1998, Vol.42, No.3, p.201-207. Illus. 15 ref.

CIS 00-1094 Van Valkenburg W., Sugavanam B., Khetan S.K.
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Pesticide formulation - Recent developments and their applications in developing countries
Topics: agricultural chemicals; chemical safety; crop protection; design of equipment; developing countries; directive; ecotoxicology; environmental pollution; pesticide production; pesticides; plant safety organization; safety by design; safety guides; UNIDO; waste disposal.
New Age International (P) Limited, 4835/24, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110 002, India, 1998. xiii, 472p. Illus. Bibl.ref. Index.

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