NEWSWATCH​
CHEMICAL AND MATERIAL HAZARDS
NIOSH Assesses Poultry Inspectors’ Expo
sures to
Peracetic
Acid
NIOSH recently investigated concerns regarding federal inspectors’ exposures to peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid at a poultry production plant. The inspectors checked birds for signs of infection or other defects at an evisceration line, and they also worked as on-line inspectors, a consumer safety inspector, and a public health veterinarian during the plant’s daily slaughter shift. According to NIOSH’s report, which was published in May, the federal poultry inspectors working on the evisceration line were required to wear a hard hat, hair net, nitrile gloves, hearing protection, fluid-resistant apron, and non-slip rubber boots. The agency notes that laboratory coats were also available.
A peracetic acid solution called Perasafe, which contains about 15 percent peracetic acid, 10 percent hydrogen peroxide, and 35 percent acetic acid, was one antimicrobial product used in processing at the plant. The NIOSH report explains that, in its concentrated form, Perasafe is a respiratory irritant and corrosive to skin. At the plant, the concentrated solution was mixed with water, which reduced the concentration of peracetic acid to 200 ppm.
A peracetic acid solution called Perasafe was one antimicrobial product used in processing at the plant. In its concentrated form, Perasafe is a respiratory irritant and corrosive to skin.
During NIOSH’s health hazard evaluation, which took place in September 2014, agency staff found low concentrations of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide in personal and area air samples taken in the evisceration department and surrounding areas. They did not, however, detect peracetic acid in the air samples.
“Some employees reported occasional symptoms of eye and respiratory irritation,” the NIOSH report reads. “Although these symptoms can be caused by exposure to peracetic acid, acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide, symptoms caused by these exposures are typically reported at concentrations much higher than we measured during our evaluation.”
All of the concentrations NIOSH detected in personal air samples were “well below OELs,” the report continues. OSHA and NIOSH have not established OELs for peracetic acid, but ACGIH has a threshold limit value-short-term exposure limit (TLV-STEL) for peracetic acid measured as an inhalable fraction and vapor of 0.4 ppm.
In a draft version of an Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Value Profile, which summarizes the health hazards of acute exposures to high airborne concentrations of a chemical, NIOSH has proposed an IDLH value of 1.7 mg/m3 for peracetic acid. Both the OSHA PEL and NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) for acetic acid is 10 ppm, or 25 mg/m3, as a time-weighted average. For hydrogen peroxide, the OSHA PEL and NIOSH REL are both set at 1 ppm, or 1.4 mg/m3, as a time-weighted average.
NIOSH’s report urges the employer to review evacuation plans for the plant in case of accidental release of concentrated chemicals. The employer should also encourage the inspectors to continue reporting their symptoms to occupational health and safety specialists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to NIOSH, this reporting allows for investigation when symptom frequency increases. The agency also recommends that the employer provide training regarding the requirements for voluntary use of respirators, and have employees cover exposed skin on their arms with a laboratory coat or long gloves to prevent dermal exposure to chemicals or infectious agents.
Download the full NIOSH report as a
PDF
.
More HHE reports are available via the NIOSH
website
. In June, the
SynergistNOW
blog discussed
NIOSH’s plans for its HHE Program
for the upcoming year.
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