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U.S. Department of Energy
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Developments in industrial hygiene instrumentation. [PNA detection by uv absorption and fluorescence]

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5932488

Contact with oils and tars presents potential skin and lung cancer hazards to workers involved in the production, transportation, or end use of synthetic fossil fuels. The principal group of carcinogen containing chemical compounds is the polynuclear aromatic (PNA) hydrocarbons. Skin contamination is difficult to avoid during maintenance or handling operations. The vapors of the more volatile aromatic components in oils can be inhaled easily. The industrial hygienist has few tools at his disposal for measuring either the build-up of hazardous concentrations, the extent of an exposure, or the effectiveness of decontamination. Three types of instrumentation are being developed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to improve the degree of occupational health control available to an industrial hygienist. Each relies on the ability of PNA hydrocarbons to absorb and fluoresce in the ultraviolet-visible range of wavelengths. The instruments include a spill spatter, a lightpipe luminoscope, and a uv absorption spectrometer.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
5932488
Report Number(s):
CONF-790917-8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English