ASTM E848-94(2000)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Safety and Health Requirements Relating to Occupational Exposure to Water-Insoluble Chromates
Standard Guide for Safety and Health Requirements Relating to Occupational Exposure to Water-Insoluble Chromates
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers control procedures for the safe production, storage, transportation, and handling of only the hexavalent chromium compounds found in Table 1 and their various hydrates, and mixtures of coprecipitates of the same regardless of crystalline form.
1.2 This guide is not intended to cover (a) such "soluble" chromates as chromates of sodium, potassium, magnesium, or ammonium; (b) soluble bichromates; (c) chromic acid; (d) volatile chromyl compounds; (e) any trivalent chromium compound; or (f) elemental chromium. Omission of said compounds or classes of compounds should not be construed to mean that they may be handled without due regard to their particular physical, chemical, and toxicological hazards (9, 10, 11).
1.3 The chromate ion, CrO4-2, depending upon the acidity, complexes to form di-, tri-, and higher polychromates; hence, the chromates listed in Table 1 may contain mixtures of polychromates, depending on the method of isolation and end use.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (For more specific precautionary information see Section 5.)
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Designation:E848–94(Reapproved2000)
Standard Guide for
Safety and Health Requirements Relating to Occupational
Exposure to Water-Insoluble Chromates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E848; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Thisguideisintendedtoprovideguidanceinthesafehandlingofcertainchromatecompoundsthat
are suspected to be carxcinogenic in man (1-8). Precautions contained herein are believed to protect
against possible carcinogenicity, and will also be sufficient to obviate any acute health hazards except
where skin hypersensitivity is a factor. Other hazards are considered and discussed.
The time-weighted average (TWA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) specified in this guide are
based on studies evaluated by the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH) (9). Epidemiological studies of the chromate producing industry have indicated that
observed adverse health effects were associated with environmental levels and hygiene procedures
considerably less exacting than those recommended here (see Appendix X1).
Hygiene controls and medical surveillance measures have been chosen to protect workers,recog-
nizing that the potential for exposure will vary widely from industry to industry and between one
location and another, depending on the compounds handled, scale of operations, kind of process, and
physical conditions.
The key to maintaining chromate levels below the PELis through implementation of cost effective
engineering controls augmented as necessary by personal protective equipment, or work practice
controls, or both. The choice of methods should depend upon the factors involved in each specific
situation.
Biological monitoring is also recommended for lead chromate (see 7.4).
All applicable federal, state, county and local regulations must be complied with when this guide
is used.
1. Scope ammonium; (b) soluble bichromates; (c) chromic acid; (d)
volatile chromyl compounds; (e) any trivalent chromium
1.1 This guide covers control procedures for the safe pro-
compound; or (f) elemental chromium. Omission of said
duction, storage, transportation, and handling of only the
compoundsorclassesofcompoundsshouldnotbeconstruedto
hexavalent chromium compounds found in Table 1 and their
mean that they may be handled without due regard to their
various hydrates, and mixtures of coprecipitates of the same
particular physical, chemical, and toxicological hazards (9, 10,
regardless of crystalline form.
11).
1.2 This guide is not intended to cover ( a) such “soluble”
−2
1.3 The chromate ion, CrO , depending upon the acidity,
chromates as chromates of sodium, potassium, magnesium, or 4
complexes to form di-, tri-, and higher polychromates; hence,
the chromates listed in Table 1 may contain mixtures of
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D1 on Paint and
polychromates, depending on the method of isolation and end
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
use.
Subcommittee D01.22 on Health and Safety.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 1994. Published October 1994. Originally 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
published as E848–82. Last previous edition E848–85(1993).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the references at the end of this
responsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult and
guide.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E848–94 (2000)
TABLE 1 Examples of Some Hexavalent Chromium Compounds
4. Significance and Use
A
Chemical Name Formula Color Index Name
4.1 This guide includes chromates that are not readily
Barium chromate BaCrO Pigment Yellow 31
4 soluble in water and that have water solubilities (Chromate
Barium potassium chromate BaK (CrO ) Pigment Yellow 31
3 4 2
ION) within the range of the more soluble calcium chromate
Basic copper chromate CuCrO Not listed
and the much less soluble lead chromate. The major occupa-
xCu(OH)
Basic cadmium chromate Cd (OH) CrO Pigment Yellow 44
2 2 4 tionsinvolvingpotentialexposuretoinsolublechromatesarein
Basic lead chromate PbCrO PbO Pigment Orange 21
roasting of chromite ore, the manufacture of chromate pig-
Bismuth basic dichromate Bi O CrO Pigment Red 103
2 3 3
ments, the manufacture of coatings containing chromate pig-
Calcium chromate CaCrO None assigned
“Chromic chromate” xCaO yCr O Pigment Yellow 33
2 3 ments, and spray painting with these coatings. There is
(calcium chromate sinter) zCrO Not listed
insufficient evidence to conclude that trivalent chromium
Ferric chromate Fe (CrO ) Pigment Yellow 45
2 4 3
compounds are carcinogenic.
Basic ferric chromate Fe(OH)CrO Pigment Yellow 45
Lead chromate PbCrO Pigment Yellow 34
Lead molybdochromate PbCrO PbMoO Pigment Red 104
4 4
5. General Requirements
Potassium zinc chromate K O 4ano·4Cr4O Pigment Yellow 36
2 3
5.1 Environmental Levels:
Strontium chromate SrCrO Pigment Yellow 32
Zinc chromate ZnCrO Pigment Yellow 36
5.1.1 The following guide is designed to protect the health
A
For Classification, not Toxicology.
and safety of workers for an 8 to 10-h workday, 40-h
workweek, over a working lifetime. The PEL can be met by
techniques and controls that reduce employee exposure below
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
the applicable safe limit. These controls must be reliable.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Permissible exposure limits are based on the 1985 ACGIH
(For more specific precautionary information see Section 5.)
recommended Threshold Limit Values (TLV) for chromates of
lead and zinc and for chromite-ore processing (12).
2. Referenced Documents
5.1.2 PEL—Occupational exposure to any of the com-
2.1 ANSI Standards:
pounds listed in Table 1 shall be controlled to a TWA of 0.05
Z87.1 Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and
mg/m (as Chromium) for an 8-h workday.
Face Protection
3 5.1.3 At least one full-shift (80% of the shift length)
Z88.2 Practices for Respiratory Protection
personalsampleshouldbetakenforeachjobclassificationand
Z129.1 Precautionary Labeling for Hazardous Industrial
3 each work area involving insoluble chromates. These samples
Chemicals
shallberepresentativeofamonitoredemployee’sregulardaily
2.2 OSHA Standards:
4 exposure to insoluble chromates, and may be used to represent
29 CFR1910.20 Access to Records
4 the exposure of all employees in that job assignment. One
29 CFR1910.1200 Hazard Communication
4 sample may not be sufficient for an adequate characterization.
29 CFR1910.134 Respiratory Protection
4 Forfurtherguidanceandappropriatecontrolobjectivessee5.6,
29 CFR1910.1025 Lead
6.2, and 7.3.
2.3 NIOSH Publications:
4 5.2 Medical Surveillance:
“Certified Equipment,” HEW Publication No. 76-145
5.2.1 Examinations—Individuals who are currently, or who
“RecommendedIndustrialVentilationGuidelines,”January
4 are expected to be employed in exposure areas (see 3.1) shall
1976, HEW Publication No. 76-162
be given preplacement and annual medical examinations that
“Criteria for a Recommended Standard Chromium (VI),”
4 shall include, but not necessarily be limited to the following:
HEW Publication No. 76-129
5.2.1.1 Work History, to elicit information on all past
exposures to any hexavalent chromium compounds or other
3. Terminology
toxic substances, particularly those affecting lung function.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
5.2.1.2 Periodic Medical Examination,consistingofatleast
3.1.1 exposure area—buildings and exterior locations
the following: Completion of a health history questionnaire
where insoluble chromates may be present as airborne particu-
with attention given to smoking history, posterior-anterior
latesinexcessoftheconcentrationsspecifiedin5.1.2,orwhere
chest X-ray, complete blood count or red cell count and
there is a likelihood of skin contact with chromate containing
hemoglobin, and pulmonary function studies (FVC, FEV 1.0
dust.
and FEV 1.0/FVC).
3.1.2 insoluble—arelativetermtodistinguishthelow-water
5.2.2 Medical examinations shall be made available to
solubility of the chromates listed in Table 1 from the much
workers with symptoms of skin or upper respiratory tract
more water-soluble chromates of sodium, potassium, and
irritation at the time the symptoms are first observed or
ammonia. The solubilities of lead chromates and calcium
reported.
chromate are typical of the lower and upper solubilities of the
5.2.3 Management—Proper medical management shall be
class (see Section 6).
provided promptly for workers adversely affected by exposure
to insoluble chromates. The cause of any excessive exposure
Available from American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New
York, NY10018.
4 5
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Committee on Industrial Ventilation, Documentation of TLVs, American Con-
Office, Washington, DC20402. ference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist, 1985.
E848–94 (2000)
shallbesoughtwithoutdelay,andcorrectiveactioninitiated.A work practice controls, or both. The choice of method should
physician shall determine if sensitized individuals should be depend on the factors involved in each specific situation. Two
excluded from jobs with a risk of exposure. criteria should be used to guide the choice of the control
5.2.4 First Aid: measures. The measure chosen must reduce employee expo-
sure below the applicable safe limit and the control method
5.2.4.1 Ingestion—Induce vomiting promptly and obtain
must be reliable (14, 15). With these two factors met, other
prompt medical attention. “Advice to physicians: Administer
factors such as logistics, product quality, economics, morale,
500 to 1000 mg ascorbic acid IV as promptly as possible,
housekeeping, and efficiency can then be incorporated into the
followed by oral Vitamin C, 5 to 10 g/day until risk of kidney
decision logic for choosing appropriate control measures.
failure has ceased,” (13).
Respirators are also required for emergencies and for the
5.2.4.2 Chromium Contamination of Open Wounds—Flush
performance of nonroutine tests and duties that have the
thoroughly for 15 min with water and seek medical attention.
likelihoodofexceedingthePEL.Brushorrollerapplicationof
5.2.4.3 Eye Irritation—Flush thoroughly with copious
paints does not normally require respiratory protective equip-
quantities of water for 15 min and seek medical attention.
ment for protection from airborne chromates.
5.3 Labeling and Posting:
5.4.2 The Respiratory Protection Program must meet the
5.3.1 Warning Signs—In areas where insoluble chromate
general requirements outlined in OSHA29 CFR 1910.134 and
concentrations in the atmosphere are likely to exceed the
inANSI Z88.2-1980, see Ref (16). This program shall include
standard, appropriate warning signs, barricades, or work prac-
instructions on the proper selection and use, including fit
tices should be used to restrict access to unauthorized persons.
testing, cleaning and maintenance of respirators and air supply
The sign must alert anyone entering the area as to what action
devices. The fit test should be performed annually on all
should be taken.
negative pressure respirators. Either a quantitative or qualita-
5.3.2 Container Labels—All containers (bag, barrel, box,
tivetestissatisfactory (14, 15).Thetypeofrespiratorrequired
can, drum, reaction vessel, storage tanks, but not pipe or pipe
for protection against known or expected concentration of
lines) should be labeled, tagged, or marked with the following
airborne chromate to be encountered is outlined in Table 2.
information:
5.4.3 Foot Protection—Industrial type leather shoes with
5.3.2.1 The Identity of the Material(s)—Identitymeansany
synthetic soles will provide ample protection under normal
chemical or common name(s), code name or number, or brand
operating and good housekeeping conditions. For wet opera-
name, that is indicated on the material safety data sheet for the
tions during cleanup of spills or when conducting decontami-
chemical.
nation procedures, rubber or synthetic booties or pullover shoe
5.3.2.2 Batch process sheets, batch tickets, operating proce-
protection shall be worn, and thoroughly rinsed and dried
dures, or other such written materials are acceptable alterna-
before reuse. Shoes that are torn or show evidence of inside
tives to individual labels as long as the appropriate identity is
contamination with chromate shall be disposed of properly.
readily accessible to employees.
5.4.4 Clothing—Any employee exposed to airborne levels
5.3.2.3 Portable containers for immediate use need not be
of chromium above the PELor when the possibility of skin or
labeled.
eye irritation exists, should be supplied with appropriate
5.3.3 Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)—The MSDS or
protective work clothing such as coveralls or similar full-body
equivalent is the primary source of the safety and health
work clothes. See for example, ANSI Z87.1 for eye and face
information. The chemical identification and MSDS for all
protection guidelines. Clean work clothing should be supplied
insoluble chromates used in the workplace must be made
at least weekly to employees in these cases. All protective
readily accessible to all employees. The MSDS in conjunction
clothingmustberemovedatthecompletionofeachworkshift
with the identity on the label and employee training will
in the change room provided for this purpose. Employees
convey the hazard(s) (both physical and health) determination
exposed to chromium above the PELshould shower at the end
for the chromate compounds. Information on the MSDS must
of the work shift. Employees must not wear or take any of the
include:
protective equipment off the work site. Care must be taken to
5.3.3.1 The OSHA PEL and the ACGIH TLV.
prevent any cross contamination of street clothes.
5.3.3.2 A statement to that effect if the chromate has been
5.4.5 Hand Protection—Suitable gloves to minimize skin
identified as a suspect carcinogen by the National Toxicology
contact shall be worn during operations where chromates are
Program (NTP), the International Agency for Research on
handled and may contact skin. Hands should be cleaned after
Cancer (IARC), OSHA, or the employer.
removal of gloves. Gloves showing evidence of internal
5.3.4 Finished Product Labels, are the responsibility of the
...
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