Formaldehyde and Xylene Safe Use Muhammad Akram, Ph.D., CHMM Director Occupational Safety Program Columbia University Training Objectives (1)        Formaldehyde use OSHA requirements University policy Health hazards Exposure Management Spill Control Exposure monitoring Training Objectives (2)        Result notification Medical surveillance Signs and Labels Information and Training Employee’s Rights and Responsibilities Xylene Use Quiz Formaldehyde Use (1) What is Formaldehyde:  A colorless gas at room temperature with pungent odor; strongly irritating to nose and throat.  Commonly used industrial chemical for production of resin and other products.  Also used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry and is a byproduct of many industrial processes.  Small quantities used in research laboratories, mostly as “10 % formalin solution”; a mixture of formaldehyde, methanol and water  Odor threshold varies from 1-2 ppm. Formaldehyde Use (2) Where it is Used at CU:        Pathology laboratories Morgue and Anatomy lab Autopsy suite Histology laboratory Research laboratories Biology & Psychology Depts. Formaldehyde Use (3) How Exposure occurs:         During grossing of specimens Preparation of formalin solution Transfer of formalin from specimens Embalming and dissection of cadavers Preparation of Paraformaldehyde solutions Changing VIP machine During spill clean up OSHA (1) What is OSHA  Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is a regulatory agency in the United States Department of Labor enforcing regulations related to workplace health and safety issues  OSHA has established health and safety standards to protect workers from chemical exposure including formaldehyde and xylene  OSHA has established guidelines for safe work practices and permissible exposure limits for various chemicals. OSHA Regulations (2)  Standard: 29 CFR 1910.1048 is specific to formaldehyde with specific requirements.  Scope: Standard covers all employees working with formaldehyde, including scientists in research laboratories.  Difference: This standard is different than the laboratory chemical safety standard (1910.1450). OSHA Exposure Limits (3) OSHA Established Limits:  Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL = 0.75 ppm) -The highest 8-hour-time-weighted-average (TWA) concentration of formaldehyde vapors to which a person may be exposed  Short Term Exposure Limits (STEL = 2.0 ppm) -The maximum conc. to which a worker may be exposed for 15 minutes  Action Level (AL = 0.5 ppm) --The TWA conc. at which corrective action should be taken to reduce exposure Other OSHA Requirements (4)          Exposure monitoring Results notification Establishing regulated area Signs, labels, MSDS Eye wash and safety showers Use of proper PPE Spills and leak control Medical Surveillance Information and Training University Policy (1) It is the policy of Columbia University to:  Maintain employees exposure to formaldehyde below the OSHA established PEL (0.75 ppm 8-hr TWA, and/or STEL (2.0 ppm for 15 min.TWA).  Take appropriate corrective actions when exposure is at or above AL (0.5 ppm), PEL or STEL University Policy (2) If exposure exceeds OSHA PEL or STEL, the Supervisor shall:       Suspend the use of formaldehyde Assess work practices to determine cause Provide medical evaluation Develop a plan to reduce exposure and discuss it with the employee and EH&S Install appropriate engineering controls Provide proper respirator with EH&S consultation University Policy (3)  All other requirements outlined under OSHA regulatory requirements, such as employee exposure monitoring, result notification, establishing regulated area, respiratory protection, MSDS and signs, eye wash & safety showers, personal protective equipment (PPE), housekeeping, emergency, medical surveillance, information and training, etc., are part of the University Policy to control formaldehyde exposure. Health Hazards (1) Routes of Entry:     Inhalation-Nose to lungs-effectively absorbed through bloodstream via capillaries in lungs. Also, may attack lung tissues. Avoid inhalation. Skin-Largest surface area-may pass skin barrier or may cause skin rash. Ingestion-through hand and food contamination. No eating, drinking, chewing gums or application of cosmetics in the lab. Eye-very sensitive and much less protected than skin. Use eye protection when working with formaldehyde and or xylene. Health Hazards (2) Health Effects:  Acute Effects-Sudden, traumatic effect such as exposure to high concentrations during spill clean-up  Chronic Effects-slow, insidious, gradual, effects not readily perceived, such as exposure during routine use without proper PPE and engineering control. Health Hazards (3) Symptoms due to:  Acute Exposure-strong eye and throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, bronchitis, laryngitis, corneal clouding, loss of vision, etc.  Chronic Exposure-Formaldehyde is a suspected carcinogen and can cause lung cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, asthma, chronic bronchitis, skin rash, sensitization, etc. Exposure Management (1) 1. Hazard Identification: Perform risk assessment of work area. Personal exposure depends upon: – Amount used – Frequency of use – Duration- how long it is used – Concentration of vapors in the air – Control measures used to reduce exposure – Personal protective equipment (PPE) used, such as gloves, lab coat, face shield, etc. Exposure Management (2) 2. Hazard Controls:  Engineering Controls- Use of proper lab ventilation to dilute vapor concentration, fume hood, local exhaust system, etc.  Administrative Controls-avoid unnecessary exposure, Cover containers, avoid spills  Use of proper PPE- such as – Lab Coat and gloves (Nitrile/ Neoprene) – Safety Goggles/Face Shield, Impermeable coveralls, etc. Engineering Controls – Chemical Fume hoods • Chemical fume hoods reduce exposure to airborne hazards. • Ensure that your fume hood is: • Free of clutter • Sash Not open <12” • Air flow rate of 80-120 linear fpm • Visibly operational (use a “kim-wipe test” to monitor air flow) • What If problem ? Exposure Management (3) Use of PPE:  Use lab coat and/or plastic coverall.  Use Nitrile or Neoprene gloves (No latex gloves)  Use goggles and face shield when necessary.  Call EH&S if respirator is needed.  Respirator use must be evaluated by EH&S.  Respirator use recommended when exposure exceed PEL or STEL.  Medical evaluation and fit-testing is required before a respirator is used. Personal Protective Equipment  Safety glasses / goggles  Protective gloves  Aprons/lab coats Spill Control  Manageable Spills  Unmanageable Spills Spill Control (1)  Manageable Spills- (small amounts) – Contain it – Notify others in the area – Use Neutralizer to clean it – Put waste in a plastic bag and keep it safe – call EH&S for pick up and disposal – Always maintain a spill kit in the laboratory and know how to use it Spill Control (2)  Unmanageable Spills-(large amounts) – Contain it, if possible – Extinguish any ignition sources – Notify others and evacuate the area – Seek help from your Supervisor and EH&S – During evenings and holidays notify Security – Stay away at a safe distance from exposure but be ready to help responders Exposure Monitoring  Types of Exposure and Monitoring: – High Exposure- routine use of large quantities - all are monitored – Medium Exposure- sporadic use of medium to large quantities. randomly monitored – Low Exposure- occasional use of small quantities, or potential exposure to small amounts such as Facilities Operations employees- monitoring upon request Result Notification  High Exposure – At or above PEL or STEL – Results are given to the supervisor and a corrective action plan is required  Medium to low exposure-below AL and PEL or STEL – Supervisor is notified to share results with affected employee (s). Medical Surveillance (1) Required for employees:  Working in high use labs such as DermPathology, Gross Room, Morgue, etc.- medical evaluation done by the Occupational Health Service  Required when employee’s exposure:  Exceeds Action Level, PEL or STEL during the work Shift  Exceeds PEL or STEL during an Emergency  Signs and Symptoms developed by the employee when working with formaldehyde Medical Surveillance (2) Employee :  Is required to Complete a Medical Disease Questionnaire.  May be removed, transferred or restricted to work due to symptoms or medical conditions.  May be required to use a respirator.  May be required to follow-up after initial visit.  Has the right to seek a second opinion if removal or restriction is recommended. Signs and Labels (1) An area must be declared as a “Regulated Area” when monitoring shows formaldehyde concentration at or above PEL and/or STEL  Signs must be posted on entrances to the “Regulated Area” as:  DANGER Formaldehyde Irritant and Potential Cancer Hazard Authorized Personnel Only Signs and Labels (2)  Formaldehyde contaminated clothing and equipment should be stored in a labeled container with the following label: DANGER Formaldehyde-Contaminated Clothing (Equipment) Avoid Inhalation and Skin Contact Laundry personnel be informed. Information and Training (1)  Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) should be accessible to employees for review  MSDS contains information on product identity, manufacturer’s name and address, hazardous ingredients, physical/chemical characteristics, fire and explosion hazard data, reactivity data, information on health hazards, precautions for safe handling and use of that chemical, spills and release information, storage and safe disposal methods, effect on the environment and other related information Information and Training (2)  Initial Training – New Employees must attend training as soon as possible after joining. – Preferably with in 3o days after start of work.  Annual Refresher – All Lab Workers, Morgue Tech, etc. – All other research workers with high use. – Can attend web based training (www.rascal.columbia.edu) Rights and Responsibilities (1) Employee’s Rights:  To work in a safe work environment  To be properly trained in the use of chemicals  To have access to proper and adequate PPE  To have free medical consultation in case of over exposure  To have access to MSDS for chemical being used  To request EH&S for exposure monitoring  To complain to OSHA if hazards are not mitigated Rights and Responsibilities (2) Employee’s Responsibilities:  Always use appropriate PPE when working  Be cognizant about your safety and of others  Make sure you are familiar with the procedures before proceeding  Always ask your supervisor when in doubt  Know who to contact in case of emergency  Know the location of spill kit and its use  Get proper medical help when exposure exceeds PEL or STEL. Rights and Responsibilities (3) Supervisor’s Responsibilities:  Maintain MSDS for these chemicals  Ensure employees receive training when they join as well as when they change task  Maintain employees exposure below safe limits  Ensure proper PPE is available and used  Ensure ventilation system and fume hoods are adequately working and used  Ensure medical surveillance as needed  Ensure chemicals are not drain disposed Xylene  Xylene Uses  Employee’s Exposure  Exposure Symptoms  Safe Work Practices  Safe Exposure Levels Xylene Uses (1)  A colorless liquid  Commonly used as a solvent in various applications- especially in Histology labs.  Highly Flammable (FP 84oF)  Vapor density is 3.7; heavier than air  Very low odor threshold (0.346 ppm) Employee’s Exposure (3) How Exposure occurs:  During pouring xylene into small containers  Placing slides into containers  Slides preparations and staining activities  Changing VIP machine  Pouring waste xylene into large drums  Cleaning large spills Safe Exposure Limits (3) OSHA established safe limits are:  PEL is 100 ppm for an 8-hour time-weighted-average limit  STEL is 150 ppm for an average of 15 minutes exposure Exposure Symptoms (3)  Acute Exposure - Even at lower concentrations strong irritant of eyes, nose, throat, mucous membrane and, skin – At higher concentrations may cause headache, dizziness, nausea, light headedness  Chronic Exposure – prolonged exposure may cause conjunctivitis, dryness of nose and throat – At very high concentration may cause leaukopenia, kidney damage, hyperplasia of bone and spleen and fetotoxicity – No carcinogenic or teratogenic effects observed Safe Work Practices (4)        Do not work near open flames, electrical sparks or other fire sources Perform any pouring or transfer under a chemical fume hood- make sure the hood is working Keep specimen containers covered at all times Do not store in non-explosion proof refrigerators Keep spill control kit handy for emergencies Know who to contact in case of emergency Always use proper PPE when working Review Formaldehyde – – – – – Suspected carcinogen Sensitizing Agent Very low PEL (0.75) and STEL (2) ppm Do not use Latex Gloves Odor threshold 1-2 ppm means >PEL Xylene – – – – – Not a carcinogen Eye and nose irritant Highly Flammable Low Odor threshold High PEL (100) and STEL (150) ppm