Preventing Occupational Exposures to Acrylonitrile and Other Chemical Hazards in Puerto Rico

Acrylamide is a colorless, man-made, liquid chemical with a sharp, onion- or garlic-like odor that can be dissolved in water and evaporates quickly according to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes acrylonitrile as a toxic, colorless to pale-yellow liquid, harmful to the eyes, skin, lungs and nervous system.
 
NIOSH also reports that it may cause cancer and exposure routes include inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) currently classifies acrylonitrile as possibly carcinogenic.
 
Acrylonitrile is used by industry to make certain plastics, rubbers and other chemicals. As with many other chemical exposure risks that workers may encounter on the job, the level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration and work being done. Examples of workers listed by NIOSH at potential risk of being exposed include:

• Workers involved in the manufacturing of acrylic fibers and plastics
• Employees who work in the coatings and adhesive industries
• Workers in the manufacture of various other chemicals
• Factory workers producing nitrile rubber products

For the general population, the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) asserts that unless a person lives near a factory where acrylonitrile is made or near a hazardous waste site that contains it, they are unlikely to be exposed.
 
“Acrylonitrile is just one of countless chemicals that could put workers at risk if the proper procedures are not in place to protect them,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “This is why NIOSH and OSHA have established occupational exposure limits for it and so many other chemicals. At Zimmetry we offer industrial hygiene testing, monitoring and consulting services in Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean to safeguard workers from occupational exposure risks and to help keep companies in regulatory compliance.”
 
Zimmetry also recently sponsored an educational video about acrylonitrile and potential exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/voyBr2z5Uts
 
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.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail