|
Medical Management
Preventive Health Measures
Environmental Monitoring and Control
Epichlorohydrin may be used safely provided workers are adequately
instructed and supervised in the proper means of handling it. Contact with
skin and eyes, as well as the inhalation of vapors must be avoided.
Emergency showers and eye baths must be provided and adequately maintained
in the area where potential exposure to epichlorohydrin exists.
Five ppm has been established by OSHA as the limit for employee exposure
averaged over an 8-hour work shift, 40-hour work week. The American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has established an 8-hour
TWA of 2 ppm with a 5 ppm 15-minute ceiling. Shell has adopted an internal
standard of 1 ppm TWA with a 3-ppm 15-minute ceiling.
As noted in Section 3.1.9, these concentrations are lower than can be
detected by odor, therefore, area and/or personnel monitoring is needed to
ensure that the concentrations are withing established limits.
NISOH-approved respiratory equipment (see Section 5.2.3) should be readily
available for immediate use whenever the possibility exists that employees
may be exposed to concentrations above the established levels.
Employee Education
Employees should be thoroughly instructed in the hazards of this compound.
They should be drilled on the use and location of all emergency equipment,
such as safety showers, eye fountains, respirators, and protective
clothing. Employees should be provided with properly fitting safety
goggles, which must be worn at all times when working in an area where
epichlorohydrin is used or handled.
Any contact with liquid epichlorohydrin must be treated immediately by
washing or showering with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes
and simultaneously removing all contaminated clothing. Affected skin areas
should be washed thoroughly with soap or mild detergent and water. Medical
attention should be obtained at once. Leather articles cannot be
decontaminated, therefore, contaminated shoes and other leather apparel
should be destroyed. Other contaminated clothing should be washed
thoroughly or destroyed if not readily decontaminated.
Avoid vapor inhalation. Any symptoms of exposure to epichlorohydrin, such
as eye or respiratory irritation, should be reported and medical assistance
obtained immediately. If the odor of epichlorohydrin is detected or
industrial hygiene monitoring shows epichlorohydrin concentrations above designated levels, the area should be evacuated. All sources of ignition
should be extinguished and the supervisor notified immediately. Only
personnel wearing approved protective equipment should be permitted in the
area. The source of the vapor should be located and the leak should be
eliminated and/or mechanical ventilation increased to bring concentrations
down to safe levels.
Employees should wear properly fitting chemical safety goggles when
handling or using epichlorohydrin. Impervious clothing and full face
shield, in addition to the goggles, must be worn when there is a danger of
contact with the liquid.
Physical Examinations
Before being assigned to handling epichlorohydrin, all individuals should have a complete preplacement examination. Individuals with disease of the liver, kidney, or respiratory tract should not be assigned to jobs where
exposure to epichlorohydrin may occur.
Annual periodic examinations with special attention to lung, liver, and kidney function are recommended.
Suggestions to Physicians
Immediate removal from exposure and thorough decontamination are essential. Adequate decontamination are essential. Adequate decontamination requires at least 15 minutes' irrigation with copious amounts of water. If respiratory distress develops, rest and oxygen administration may be helpful. Intermittent positive pressure breathing may help prevent pulmonary edema. Any significantly exposed individual should be followed with liver and kidney function studies for a least 60 days. Chemical burns of the eye should be treated by physician experienced in dealing with chemical eye injuries, after immediate and adequate decontamination with water.
First Aid
General Principles
In case of eye or skin exposure to epichlorohydrin, the chemical must be removed immediately.
After severe exposure to the vapor of epichlorohydrin, it is important to maintain adequate respiration - artificial respiration should be instituted if needed. Until medical help is obtained, patient should be kept at rest. He should be kept comfortably warm but not hot.
Contact with Skin
In case of skin contact, immediately get under shower and remove all clothing. Wash thoroughly with flowing water for at least 15 minutes; scrub affected skin area with soap or mild detergent and water. Seek medical attention.
Contact with Eyes
If eye contact occurs, immediate irrigation of eye with clean water is indicated. Continue irrigation for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention.
Inhalation
Exposed persons should go or be taken at once to an uncontaminated area. Oxygen administration may be helpful but should be given only by adequately trained individuals. If breathing has ceased, give artificial respiration. Get medical help at once. Avoid contamination of rescuer by victim.
Ingestion
Do not give liquids if victim is unconscious or very drowsy. Otherwise, give no more than 2 glasses of water and induce vomiting by giving 30cc (2 tablespoons) syrup of Ipecac. If Ipecac is unavailable, give 2 glasses of water and induce vomiting by touching the back of the throat with finger. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION AT ONCE.
| 
