| Agent Name |
Asphalt fumes |
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| Alternative Name |
Bitumen |
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| CAS Number |
8052-42-4 |
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| Major Category |
Other Chemicals |
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| Synonyms |
Asphalt; Asphalt (cut); Asphalt (cutback); Asphalt (petroleum); Asphalt cements; Asphalt, liquid medium-curing; Asphalt, liquid rapid-curing; Asphalt, liquid slow-curing; Asphaltic bitumen; Asphaltum; Bitumen; Bitumens, asphalt; Bituminous materials, asphalt; Judean pitch; Mineral pitch; Mineral rubber (VAN); Petroleum; Petroleum asphalt; Petroleum bitumen; Petroleum pitch; Petroleum refining residues, asphalts; Petroleum roofing tar; Road asphalt; Road tar; Trinidad pitch; [ChemIDplus] UN1999 |
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| Category |
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons |
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| Description |
Fumes generated during the production or application of asphalt (a dark-brown to black cement-like substance manufactured by the vacuum distillation of crude petroleum oil). [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Asphalt is produced from evaporation of the lighter petroleum hydrocarbons and partial oxidation of the residue. Petroleum asphalt should be differentiated from tar or pitch, which is derived from coal. Used in construction of highways, irrigation canals, dams, airfields; Also used in materials for insulating, roofing, and painting; [ACGIH] |
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| Comments |
"If asphalt-related dermal photosensitization is occurring, such as seen with coal tar, it has not been described in the literature and so needs to be further investigated, as do the other reported skin problems." [Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Asphalt. NIOSH. 2000] "The concentrations of PAHs in coal tar pitch are usually two to three orders of magnitude higher than those found in petroleum-derived asphalt." The "TLV Basis" is upper respiratory tract and eye irritation; [ACGIH] |
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| Reference Link |
OSHA Technical Links: Asphalt Fumes |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
0.5 mg/m3, inhalable fraction (as benzene soluble aerosol) |
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| Explanatory Notes |
NIOSH REL = 15 min. ceiling of 5 mg/m3; Melting point of asphalt = 110 deg F; [CAMEO] Potential occupational carcinogen; [NIOSH] Flash point = 204 deg C; |
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| Half Life |
No reports found; [TDR, p. 140] |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: ASPHALT
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