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
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