Other Information For Workers Exposed to Acid Mist
November 1991
Exposure and Dose
The chance of developing a disease due to exposure to a hazardous chemical is greater the more you have been exposed.
Exposure means that the chemical (like acid mist) is present in the environment and can be taken into your body.
Dose describes how much of the chemical has been taken into your body. It is a combination of the concentration of the chemical in the environment and the length of time that you are exposed to it. Usually people are exposed to acid mist by breathing it.
Measuring Exposure
Exposure to acid mist should be routinely measured by your employer. This includes taking air measurements, especially personal air samples.
Exposure Limits
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets legal exposure limits.
NIOSH is a federal agency that does research onoccupational health and recommends the appropriate standards.
The American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists is not a government agency. However, it recommends voluntary guidelines called threshold limit values.
Sulfuric Acid Exposure Limits
OSHA has set a limit of 1 milligram per cubic meter of air (1 mg/m3) averaged over 8 hours. ACGIH has made the same recommendation. NIOSH has recommended this level averaged over 10 hours.
According to information available to NIOSH, levels of sulfuric acid in the study plants averaged 0.2 mg/m3, which is less than these limits.
Health Hazard Information
Health effects depend on: how much of a chemical you were exposed to, and whether the exposure was over a long or a short period of time.
When someone is exposed to a high concentration over a short time, they may get sick right away. Other diseases may develop when exposure at a low concentration occursover a long time (usually years).
Sulfuric acid mist irritates the skin, eyes, nose and throat, and lungs. Exposure to high concentrations can cause severe damage at all these sites.
Exposure over many years could cause difficulty breathing or erosion of the teeth.
The NIOSH studies indicate that acid mist may cause larynx and lung cancer.
Reducing Your Exposure to Acid Mist on the Job
While the levels of acid mist now are generally lower than in the past, you should avoid all unnecessary exposure to acid mists.
Follow safe job practices especially those listed on JSHA's (Job Safety and Health Analysis). Suggest any changes in JSHA's you feel would improve the safety and health of you and your co-workers.
Know where Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are kept. Read and understand MSDSs for materials you are handling. If you are unsure what a MSDS says or how it applies to your job, it is important that you ask for assistance.
Obtain and use respiratory protection. Respirators are required on those tasks where exposures cannot be controlled adequately by ventilation or work practices alone. You may want to use a respirator for other jobs or tasks where you may be exposed.
Be sure you have received training in the proper use of the respirator.
Be sure you understand and follow the instructions on the proper use and care of the respirator and other safety gear.
Report broken acid mist controls immediately. Also report any problems with other chemical ventilation systems. Do this by informing your departmental supervisor directly or by completing an Unsafe Condition Report.
You may also contact the Safety and Industrial HygieneDepartment or your AE3F representative.
Access to Your Records
You have a legal right to examine and copy the results of air testing under OSHA regulations 29 CFR 191020.
You have a legal right to examine and copy all medical records your employer keeps on you under OSHA regulation 29 CFR 191020.
Symptoms
Cancer of the larynx can be treated if caught early. If you have warning symptoms, you should go to a doctor.
Hoarseness is a common symptom. Other symptoms include: a change in your voice, a lump in your throat, or trouble breathing. See a doctor if these symptoms don't go away in 3 weeks.
Symptoms of lung cancer include shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing a lot.
Even if you have any of these symptoms, that does notmean you have a serious illness.
Many less serious conditions could have these symptoms. However, you should have your health checked by a doctor to be sure.
This is especially true if the symptoms don't go away. Give your doctor a copy of the NIOSH materials.
Smoking and Drinking
Workers who smoke or drink can greatly reduce their risk of lung and larynx cancer by quitting.
Smokers are about 75 times more likely to develop larynx cancer and 9 times more likely to die of lung cancer than nonsmokers.
People who drink alcoholic beverages are about 2 to 3 times more likely to develop larynx cancer than non-drinkers.
In comparison, workers exposed to acid mist are 1 to 2 times more likely to die of lung cancer and 2½ times more likely to develop larynx cancer.