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Study on dust hazards and preventive measures in modern large scale petrochemical enterprises.

Liu Z; Xiao X; Fang Y

Proceedings of the VIIth International Pneumoconioses Conference, August 23-26, 1988, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-108, 1990 Nov; (Pt II):1293-1294

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/90-108/

00198788

Studies on dust hazards occurring in a modern petrochemical manufacturing facility were summarized. The facility was a new petrochemical complex in the Peoples' Republic of China. It began producing polythene (9002884), polypropylene (9003070), and nylon-66 (32131172) in 1981. An industrial hygiene survey revealed airborne dust concentrations ranging up to 619.3mg/m3, the highest occurring in the polythene charging area. The free silica (14808607) content of the dusts was estimated to be 84.5 to 99%. A health survey of 600 workers noted unspecified respiratory changes and an increase in conjunctival symptoms in workers involved in nylon-66 production. A study of the fibrogenic potential of polythene, polypropylene, and nylon-66 conducted in Wistar-rats indicated that polythene and polypropylene produced fibrotic changes in the lungs after 1.5 years. Nylon-66 revealed no fibrogenic activity. In an in-vitro study, alveolar macrophages isolated from New-Zealand-rabbits were incubated with polythene, polypropylene, and nylon-66. Cytotoxicity was assessed by measuring uptake of an unspecified dye and release of intracellular lactate-dehydrogenase. All dust demonstrated significant cytotoxicity. The authors conclude that on the basis of the in-vivo and in-vitro studies long term exposure to the dusts at the facility will adversely affect the health of the workers. Dust exposures at the complex should be controlled by enclosing or isolating the production processes and using ventilation techniques.

Industrial hygiene; Dust exposure; Epidemiology; Petroleum products; Chemical manufacturing industry; In vitro studies; In vivo studies; Laboratory animals; Dust suppression

9002-88-4; 9003-07-0; 32131-17-2; 14808-60-7

19901101

Conference/Symposia Proceedings

1991

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-108

Proceedings of the VIIth International Pneumoconioses Conference, August 23-26, 1988, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

PA