Mining target environmental surveillance study. Nitropropane sensitized, ammonium nitrate blasting agents.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cocalis, Joseph C.
• Description:
  The potential health hazards of nitropropane (NP) sensitized ammonium-nitrate (6484522) (AN) blasting agents were investigated in mine field tests. A survey was conducted of bulk NP loading. Samples were taken for 1-nitropropane (108032) (1-NP) methyl-alcohol (67561), and 2-nitropropane (79469) (2-NP). Airborne concentrations of 1-NP were well within all standards. No 2-NP was detected in any samples. Odors were noticeable at about 5 parts per million (ppm) 1- NP and 20ppm methanol (67561). Poor work practices produced unnecessary exposures as did positioning in areas of high exposure, and placing trucks downwind of the off loading NP truck. Direct reading indicator tubes were used to sample for methanol. When silica-gel adsorbent tubes were used, severe breakthrough was possible. The author concludes that worker exposures to 1-NP were below Mining Safety and Health Administration and NIOSH limits, and overexposure is unlikely under similar environmental and operating conditions. Overexposure to methanol is also unlikely. Poor work practices can result in overexposure, but unnecessary exposure can be reduced by good industrial hygiene practices.
• Subjects:
  Accidents, Occupational Blood Cell Division Epidemiology Fungi Immune System Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Chemical-properties Exposure-levels Industrial-hygiene NIOSH-Author Sampling-methods Toxic-effects; Toxicology Worker-health Workplace-studies
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Other
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; Virginia ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-21
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00132004
• Citation:
  Morgantown, WV: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1982 Mar; :1-21
• Contact Point Address:
  J. C. Cocalis, Environmental Investigations Branch, NIOSH, Morgantown, West Virginia
• CAS Registry Number:
  Ammonium nitrate (CAS RN 6484-52-2) ; 1-Nitropropane (CAS RN 108-03-2) ; Methanol (CAS RN 67-56-1) ; 2-Nitropropane (CAS RN 79-46-9) ; Methanol (CAS RN 67-56-1)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1982
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:38cc479bffb63a693fd3a3dd897179c26e7449b52878669e5a4592d21a7b44747e1e6824ebd57175e151532ec4b59ec8c7b8f3554463b212e13dffb93333f474
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/179551/cdc_179551_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 963.08 KB ]