mercaptans

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Mercaptans
The purpose of this factsheet is to explain what is safe and what is known to be dangerous about mercaptans in the air.

What Are Mercaptans

Mercaptans are a group of sulfur-containing organic chemical substances. They smell like rotting cabbage, and are, for the most part, what make pulp mills smell like pulp mills. If mercaptans are in the air, even at low concentrations, they are very noticeable. Pulp mills are the chief source of mercaptans, although they are also found in production processes of some pesticides, pharmaceuticals and petroleum products. They are also used as an odourizing agent in natural gas. The human body produces them naturally during digestion of beer, garlic and some other foods.

Dangers of Mercaptans
Not very much is known about the dangers of mercaptans, but current research shows that mercaptans are less poisonous than hydrogen sulfide (the gas that smells like rotten eggs).

Levels Allowed in Manitoba

In Manitoba, federal and provincial regulations set .5 parts per million (.5 ppm) as the permissible concentration in the air. Mercaptans can be smelled at levels very much less than this. They will not affect workers' health until the level is several times higher than 0.5 parts per million. The concentration level may be measured with a special type of detector tube. This should be done by a qualified technician or occupational hygienist.

How Mercaptans Affect Health

If there is a leakage or a spill of mercaptans, workers may develop headaches and become nauseated and vomit. There may be

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coughing and irritation of the lungs and inflammation of the eyes, nose and throat. If the concentration is very high, the worker may have difficulty breathing and may turn blue -medically described as "cyanosis". The worker may then lose consciousness and have generalized muscle spasms.

Treatment
The worker should be immediately moved into fresh air. If breathing is difficult, artificial respiration should be given - mouth-tomouth is best. Oxygen may be necessary.

Recovery
If the exposure has been slight, the coughing and irritation disappear quickly when the worker gets away from the mercaptan concentration. However, if workers are at all worried they should see a physician for confirmation that they have completely recovered. If the reaction has been more serious, or the worker has lost consciousness, he/she should be taken immediately to a hospital. Any worker who has health problems after exposure to mercaptans should see a doctor. There has been only one recorded case of a person dying after exposure to mercaptans. He had been exposed to high levels for some time and was found unconscious. However, this poisoning was complicated by the development of other medical conditions.

Long Term Effects

Long-term health effects of mercaptans are not well documented. Because the mercaptans irritate the breathing system, bronchitis is one possible result, but this is not certain at present. No evidence exists that mercaptans damage other parts of the human body. Liver and kidney damage has been recorded in experimental animals exposed to high mercaptan concentrations.

Cancer
The studies which have been done to date show no evidence that mercaptans cause cancer.

Prevention
Although mercaptans are not the most dangerous substance in the workplace, workers must nevertheless be protected from harmful effects of mercaptan pollution. A prevention program must be carried out cooperatively by workers, supervisors and employers.

Employers' Responsibilities
Employers have the overall responsibility for keeping the workplace safe. Much of the mercaptan hazard can be controlled if the employer follows these requirements: Educate workers so they know what mercaptans are and what they can do. Write safety rules and make sure that everyone knows them and follows them. Teach new workers the safe way to do a job. This is particularly important when workers will be going into confined spaces where dangerous gases may be present. Set out emergency procedures and make sure that everyone knows how to get workers away from danger and treat them if they are overcome.

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Control the gases by guarding against leaks and using exhaust ventilation where indicated. Carry out maintenance programs, regularly checking all piping, valves, tanks and containers of dangerous gases and liquids. Exhaust ventilation systems and hazard warning systems must be in good working order. Set up reporting systems so that workers notify the right person when they discover leaks and faulty equipment. Design work procedures so that only workers directly concerned with hazardous operations need risk exposure. Keep control rooms safe by enclosing them and providing clean air. Provide personal protective equipment as required. This may include approved chemical respirators, air-fed respirators, goggles or other equipment. Equipment approved by the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is acceptable for use in Manitoba. Ventilate gases away from the area by using exhaust systems and ventilation that ensure dangerous gases and vapours are not drawn back into the building. (Emissions from the building must comply with local authority regulations on air pollution.) Test for air contamination and keep records. Testing the work environment is the responsibility of the employer. Monitoring equipment must be kept in good order, and a qualified person should check the levels of dangerous gases and vapours in the air. These levels must comply with maximum permitted concentrations set out in the ACGIH Guidelines and the federal and provincial Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) legislation.

Workers' Responsibilities
Follow the rules set out for workers' safety and ask questions if the rules are not clear. Workers must take responsibility for understanding their jobs. Report problems to your health and safety committee or worker representative. Report leaks and faulty equipment whenever they are discovered. Keep clean spaces uncontaminated by being sure to close doors of rooms which have fresh air supplied. Stay in low hazard areas except when it is necessary to go into high risk workplaces. Wear protective equipment whenever it is necessary. Check that it is in good condition and make sure that the filters or cartridges in respirators are replaced by the employer following the manufacturer's recommendation. Except in an emergency, do not wear another worker's respirator unless it has been thoroughly cleaned. Get medical advice on health problems. Report to your employer and to a physician any health damage that you believe comes from exposure to a substance in your workplace. Adapted in part from: The Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia 1985.

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