Hydrazine and Potential Occupational Exposure Risks
Hydrazines are described by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) as clear, colorless liquids with an ammonia-like odor. There are numerous kinds of hydrazine compounds made for industry and small amounts of hydrazine can even be found naturally in plants.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that hydrazines are highly reactive and easily catch fire. They are used in many industries, such as the manufacturing of rocket propellants and fuels for spacecraft.
Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to hydrazine include the following:
• Workers who use it for boiler water treatments to protect against corrosion
• Industrial workers who use it as a chemical reactant
• Researchers who explore cancer treatments
• Agricultural workers who use it in pesticides
NIOSH does state that workers may be harmed from exposure to hydrazine. The level of harm depends upon the dose, duration and work being done. ATSDR reports that breathing hydrazines for short periods may cause coughing and irritation of the throat and lungs, convulsions, tremors or seizures. Breathing hydrazines for long periods may cause liver and kidney damage, as well as serious effects on reproductive organs. Eating or drinking small amounts of hydrazines may cause nausea, vomiting, uncontrolled shaking, inflammation of the nerves, drowsiness or coma. NIOSH also lists it as a potential occupational carcinogen.
To protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for hydrazine and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).
These are just a few things to know hydrazine and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark https://www.csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. https://www.emsl.com
LA Testing https://www.latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental https://www.zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine https://www.healthyindoors.com