Calcium oxide. Documentation
Journal Title: Podstawy i Metody Oceny Środowiska Pracy - Year 2013, Vol 29, Issue 2
Abstract
Calcium oxide (CaO, quick lime, unslaked lime) is an inorganic, white powder. Calcium oxide is used in the production of iron and steel, glass, calcium carbide, aerated concrete, for soil stabilization and thermochemical reaction with industrial waste. About half of the CaO production is used for preparing Ca(OH)2. Calcium oxide is produced by about 97 manufacturers in the EU; in Poland mainly by Lhoist.Calcium oxide dust irritates the eyes and upper respiratory tract. The irritant effects are probably due primarily to its alkalinity, but dehydrating and thermal effects can also be contributing factors. Mixtures of CaO and water are highly alkaline; the pH value, depending of the concentration, is about 12–13. Calcium oxide reacts with water on the exter-nal surfaces of the body and is converted to calcium hydroxide, which liberates OH- ions. Ingestion of CaO causes burns of the esopha-gus and stomach. Particles of calcium oxide cause severe burns of the eyes. Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause der-matitis. Based on studies of people occupationally exposed to dust of calcium oxide, there was no reduction in performance spirometry lung at a concentration of 1 mg/m3 (range 0.4–5.8 mg/m[sup]3[/sup]). Effects of CaO in con-centrations of 1–5 mg/m3 (the mass median aerodynamic diameter +/-SD was 6.53 +/-0.76) were studied in 12 lightly exercising men breathing through the nose. The parameters studied included nasal resistance, nasal secretion, mucociliary transport time and chemesthetic magnitude (irritation, pungency, piquancy, cooling and burning). The level of 2.5 mg/m[sup]3[/sup] can be considered as the LOAEL. The Interdepartmental Commission recom-mended the following occupational limit values for calcium oxide: MAC 1 mg/m3 for respirable fraction and 2 mg/m[sup]3[/sup] for inhalable fraction and STEL 4 mg/m[sup]3[/sup] for respirable fraction and 6 mg/m3 for inhalable fraction.
Authors and Affiliations
Małgorzata Kupczewska-Dobecka
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP224540
- DOI -
- Views 94
- Downloads 0
Determining size fractions of an aerosol in view of new definitions Part 1. Instruments for size selective sampling of an aerosol containing metals and their compounds
A proposal for a regulation of the Minister of Labour and Social Policy introduces new definitions of aerosols (inhalable fraction, thoracic and respirable fraction) in relation to the value of the maximum concentration...
The activity of the Interdepartmental Commission forMaximum Admissible Concentrations and Intensities for Agents Harmful to Health in the Working Environment in 2014–2016
In the third part of the National Programme “Improvement of safety and working condi-tions”, the Commission met at 10 sessions, during which the following items were discussed:– 35 documentations for recommended exposure...
Determination of ethyl bromide in the workplace air by gas chromatography with mass detection (GC-MS)
A new procedure has been developed for the assay of ethyl bromide with gas chromatography with mass detection (GC-MS). The method is based on the adsorption of ethyl bromide on petroleum charcoal and desorption w...
Amended method for determining phosphorus pentachloride in workplace air
The method is used for determining phosphorus pentachloride in workplace air. It is based on the absorption of phosphorus pentachloride in water, hydrolysis to orthophosphoric acid, reaction with ammonium molybdate a...
Diphenylamine. Determining diphenylamine in workplace air with HPLC
A new procedure has been developed for the assay of diphenylamine with high-performance liquid chromatography with a FLD or UV-VIS detector. The method is based on the adsorption of diphenylamine on glass fibre filters t...