Chemical Safety and Industrial Hygiene - Case Study Example

? Chemical Safety and Industrial Hygiene: Case Study This case study paper highlights the potential risks of benzenepoisoning prone to a man working in a chemical laboratory. The paper will establish the routes of exposure to benzene in a laboratory setting. In addition, the paper will enumerate the detrimental effects that result from benzene poisoning. As the paper will mention, inhaling ambient air contaminated with benzene presents the highest risk of benzene poisoning. Moreover, the paper will discuss precautionary measures that can serve to mitigate the detrimental effects resulting from benzene poisoning. Chemical Safety and Industrial Hygiene: Case Study Benzene has multiple uses in the chemical and industrial applications. It is a starting material relevant in many procedures. In addition, it is a powerful solvent in the manufacture of dyes, vanishes, leather, and other industries. There are numerous ways of exposure to benzene in the occupational setting. Researchers have revealed that benzene exposure presents both short-term and long-term effects. With such warranted toxicity levels, it is essential for workers to take the necessary precautionary measures in order to mitigate the effects of benzene. This paper will highlight the routes of exposure, describe potential detrimental effects of benzene exposure, and outline the necessary measures that individuals should take in mitigating the effects. The paper will tackle these in relevance to a 22-year old man working in a laboratory that utilizes benzene. Potential Routes of Exposure Research reveals that occupational exposure to benzene poses the highest risk. The 22-year old man is subject to occupational exposure of benzene in the designated chemical laboratory. The man can gain exposure to the potentially harmful chemical through two routes. One of these is through inhalation of benzene inherent in air. Benzene’s vapor pressure at ambient temperatures explains why the there is an appreciable amount in air. The man in question may inhale ambient air with extremely high concentrations when working in laboratories with minimum ventilation. However, in well-ventilated sections of the laboratory, there are minimal cases of contamination of the ambient air. In cases, where laboratories do not enclose the source of benzene, the surrounding air will contain high levels of benzene, and this translates to high levels of the chemical in inhaled air. In addition, benzene can easily irritate skin during spills. Spillages are remarkably rampant in most of the laboratories, paving way for dermal absorption of benzene into the body. Other potential routes may involve accidental ingestion of contaminated materials. However, ingestion cases in laboratories are rare. Short-term and Long-term Health Effects from Occupational Exposure to Organic Chemicals Research has revealed that benzene poses great health risks in the body of humans after exposure (Galbraith, Gross, & Paustenbach 2010). These studies reveal that benzene leads to respiratory effects that the candidate of this case study may project after benzene inhalation. These include nasal irritation, soreness of the throat, and development of bronchitis a few days after inhalation. In addition, the man may be subject to development of laryngitis and acute granular tracheitis. Advanced studies reveal that high inhalation of benzene may foster hemorrhage in the lungs (Galbraith, Gross, & Paustenbach 2010). The candidate of this case study is also susceptible to developing a congestive gastritis in cases of increased benzene inhalation. Moreover, the man may develop ocular effects that become inherent through irritation of the eyes by benzene. Although it may be a rare effect, he may project renal effects of benzene, a few days after inhalation. Although cases may differ with individuals, the man may develop neurologic and systemic effects depending on the mount of benzene inhalation. Skin absorption of benzene causes irritation, reddening, blister formation, and accounts for dermal diseases. In cases of accidental ingestion of contaminated water or food materials in the laboratory, the man may present immediate effects such as vomiting, convulsions, stomach irritation, sleepiness, and irregular heart beat. High levels of benzene poisoning present the gravest of effects and may cause death within a short time of inhalation. The young man is susceptible to death if he does not take precautionary measures that prevent inhalation of high levels of benzene. According to recent research, there is evidence of metabolism of benzene inhaled from air concentrations. Advanced research revealed that the metabolic pathway responsible for benzene metabolism accounts for the increased risks. Relatively high levels of benzene present effects such as unconsciousness, drowsiness, headaches, tremors, and confusion. Studies targeted at determining the cardiovascular effects of benzene poisoning indicate that the man may present extra systoles and ventricular tachycardia. These cardiovascular effects translate to a rapid and irregular heartbeat. Long-term Effects Research reveals that benzene cause serious long-term effects to people who work in areas of increasing exposure to the chemical. Studies have revealed the potential of benzene as carcinogenic chemical. This translates to the potential possibility of continuous exposure to benzene becoming a precondition to cancer (McHale et al, 2011). The risk is higher for those under constant exposure in the workplace where levels of benzene accumulate in the body over time. The 22-year-old man working in a laboratory dealing with benzene may increase his chances of developing cancer in the absence of any precautionary measures. Moreover, benzene inhalation can cause chromosomal aberrations and other genetic changes that pose a risk of development of genetic disorders (Marchetti et al, 2012). These changes may become evident in the offspring and affect fetal development or other aspects of infant development. Other case studies have cited potential effects of benzene to the reproductive system. Although substantial evidence is still lacking, reported cases of decreasing fertility levels in workers with continual exposure to benzene translate to potential risk. Precautionary Measures As described above, risk assessment studies have revealed that benzene can pose serious effects in workers. There is a surging need for employees who prove to be at great risk to take precautionary measures and minimize all cases of exposure to the hazardous hydrocarbon. The initial step in taking safety measures involves having a clear understanding of the potential risk because such awareness will motivate the individual to adhere to safety regulations at all times. Protective clothing is a critical aspect for laboratory workers. This includes a laboratory coat, latex gloves, respiratory protection, and relevant pieces of protective covering. The laboratory worker should observe all the standard operating procedures relevant in any laboratory that deals with hazardous chemicals. He should enclose all benzene sources and avoid any spillages on the hands or feet. This translates to relevant feet protective covering. The worker should consult with the management in cases where ventilation and mitigation of exposure are questionable. In addition, he should avoid ingestion of any material in the laboratory. Efficient labeling and organization in the laboratory goes a long way in minimizing accidents in the laboratory. With observance of all standards safety techniques in the laboratory and consultation with the management over any issues, the worker can reduce the risk of exposure greatly. Understanding of first aid measures can help the worker mitigate detrimental effects in case of any accident. It is clear that occupational exposure through inhalation is the commonest route to benzene exposure. There are high levels of benzene in ambient air because of the ease with which it vaporizes at such temperatures. Benzene poses long-term and short-term effects after inhalation. In order to mitigate the effects of benzene, the worker should take the relevant precautionary measures that include protective clothing and adherence to standard operating procedures. References Galbraith, D., Gross, S. A., & Paustenbach, D. (2010). Benzene and human health: A historical review and appraisal of associations with various diseases. Critical Reviews In Toxicology, 401-46. doi:10.3109/10408444.2010.508162 Marchetti, F., Eskenazi, B., Weldon, R. H., Li, G., Zhang, 2., Rappaport, 4. M., & ... Wyrobek, A. J. (2012). Occupational Exposure to Benzene and Chromosomal Structural Aberrations in the Sperm of Chinese Men. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(2), 229-234. doi:10.1289/ehp.1103921 McHale, C. M., Zhang, L., Lan, Q., Vermeulen, R., Li, G., Hubbard, A. E., & ... Rothman, N. (2011). Global Gene Expression Profiling of a Population Exposed to a Range of Benzene Levels. Environmental Health Perspectives, (5), 628. doi:10.2307/41203300 Read More