Occupational Exposure Risks to 1,3-Butadiene and Other Chemicals in Puerto Rico

For decades, 1,3-butadiene has been used to make synthetic rubber and can also be found in smaller amounts in plastics and fuels. It is produced through the processing of petroleum and is a colorless gas with a mild odor that can be condensed into a liquid.
 
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that exposure to 1,3-butadiene mainly occurs in the workplace, including the following industries: synthetic elastomer (rubber and latex) production, petroleum refining, secondary lead smelting, water treatment, agricultural fungicides, production of raw material for nylon, and the use of fossil fuels. Exposure can also occur from automobile exhaust; polluted air and water near chemical, plastic or rubber facilities; cigarette smoke; and the ingestion of foods that are contaminated from plastic or rubber containers.
 
“Health effects caused by exposure to 1,3-butadiene can be split into two categories according to OSHA,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “These include acute and chronic, with acute exposures further being split into low and high doses. OSHA reports that acute low exposures may cause irritation to the eyes, throat, nose and lungs. Acute high exposures may cause damage to the central nervous system or cause symptoms such as distorted blurred vision, vertigo, general tiredness, decreased blood pressure, headache, nausea, decreased pulse rate and fainting. Chronic effects caused by exposure to 1,3-butadiene are controversial. Several human epidemiological studies have shown an increase in cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified 1,3-butadiene as a known human carcinogen.”  
 
There are standards for protecting workers from exposure risks to 1,3-butadiene and many other chemicals that could potentially cause harm. Industrial hygiene testing, engineering controls for ventilation and process modifications, along with the use of personal protective equipment are all important for protecting workers from chemical hazards and keeping companies in regulatory compliance. Zimmetry Environmental’s industrial hygiene professionals offer testing, monitoring and consulting services in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean for 1,3-butadiene and a wide range of other chemicals. They also recently sponsored an educational video about 1,3-butadiene that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/QDqBN5yYfrw
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their industrial hygiene, environmental, air quality, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

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Paul Cochrane

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Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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