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Asphalt Fumes Asphalt Fumes
Hazard Recognition

Exposure to asphalt fumes can cause serious injury and permanent damage. Workers that may be exposed to asphalt fumes need to be aware of the potential hazards in their work environment. The following references aid in recognizing asphalt fume hazards in the workplace.

Characteristics and Properties
  • Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Asphalt. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-110, (2000, December), 886 KB PDF, 150 pages. Reviews current scientific data on health effects related to occupational exposures to asphalt, describes further research needs in this area, and suggests measures to minimize worker exposures while studies continue.
    • Asphalt Modifiers and Additives. [see Section 3.3, Table 3-5]
  • NIOSHTC-2. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH. Contains a list of references pertaining to asphalt fumes.
  • Asphalt Fumes. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Safety and Health Topic. Links to resources that provide safety and health information relevant to asphalt fumes.
  • Mineral Products Industry. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission factors AP-42, 5th ed., Volume I, Chapter 11. Contains information and process overviews of hot mix asphalt and roofing material plants and the emissions and controls associated with these processes.
Hazard Recognition
  • Asphalt Fume Exposures During the Manufacture of Asphalt Roofing Products. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-127, (2001, August). Also available as a 1 MB PDF, 48 pages. Increases awareness among plant managers, safety and health professionals, and engineers of the potential for occupational exposure to asphalt and asphalt fumes during the manufacture of asphalt roofing products.
  • Asphalt fumes. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards Publication No. 2005-149, (2005, September). Contains information on synonyms and trade names, exposure limits, immediately dangerous to life or health concentrations (IDLH's), physical description, incompatibilities and reactivities, measurement method, personal protection and sanitation, first aid, respirator recommendations, exposure routes, symptoms, and target organs.
  • Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Asphalt Fumes. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 78-106, (1977, September). Provides links to documents containing information on occupational exposure to asphalt fumes.
  • Reducing Roofers' Exposure to Asphalt Fumes. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2003-107, (2003, September). Provides a guide for roofers and contractors who work with hot asphalt on roofs, including steps for reducing exposure to asphalt fumes.
  • ToxFAQs for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), (1996, September). Provides answers to the most frequently asked health questions about polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a component of concern in asphalt.
  • Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
Health Effects
  • Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Asphalt. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-110, (2000, December), 886 KB PDF, 150 pages. Reviews current scientific data on health effects related to occupational exposures to asphalt, describes further research needs in this area, and suggests measures to minimize worker exposures while studies continue.
  • Literature Review of Health Effects Caused by Occupational Exposure to Asphalt Fumes. National Toxicology Program (NTP), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), (1997, June 23). Provides an extensive review on paving asphalt and roofing asphalt exposure limits.
  • Jane Y. C. Ma, et al. "Inhalation Exposure of Rats to Asphalt Fumes Generated at Paving Temperatures Alters Pulmonary Xenobiotic Metabolism Pathways without Lung Injury." Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) 111.9(2003, July).
  • Crumb-Rubber Modified Asphalt Paving: Occupational Exposure and Acute Health Effects. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Report No. HETA-2001-0536-2864, (2001), 615 KB PDF, 51 pages. The study protocol included the following objectives: develop and field test new methods to assess asphalt fume exposures, characterize and compare occupational exposures to crumb-rubber modified (CRM) asphalt and conventional (CONV) asphalt and evaluate potential health effects associated with CRM asphalt and CONV asphalt. Seven site evaluations were completed between 1994 and 1997. These have been reported separately in individual HHE Reports. The numerous paving jobs were evaluated for exposure concentrations and worker health symptoms, comparing CRM asphalt paving with CONV paving.
Chemical Concerns
  • Cleaning of Asphalt Truck Hopper with Diesel Fuel. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin (HIB), (1995, December 6). Compliance and consultation personnel should  be aware of the recommended procedure checklist to control the hazards of  improper cleaning of asphalt trucks which can result in an explosion.
  • Solvents. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
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Content Reviewed 03/15/2007
 
 


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