GTC Industrial Welding Respiratory Protection

Regardless of the fumes generated during welding, they have been classified as carcinogenic substances by IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) since 1990.

Dangerousness of welding fumes

The metal being welded is never completely cleaned, the fumes produced during welding are dangerous and stored. The presence of oils, dyes or some thin oils produces highly carcinogenic products such as formalin or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (or polyaromatic hydrocarbons).

These fumes appear in two stages. First, the weather. decomposition (emission of CO, CO2, ozone, nitrogen vapors, etc.) is the resulting gas phase . Secondly, it is made of welded metals. respirable fumes and dust but also caused by the electrode in the form of aluminum or chrome is the particle phase.

Protection against welding fumes

To protect against these carcinogenic factors, there are three different respiratory protection methods depending on the nature of the welding activity:

Source gas masks : Lightweight and ergonomic, highly effective filtering respiratory protection for occasional or short-term work They offer . They are positive pressure devices, meaning the user exerts respiratory effort.

Powered air-supported breathing apparatus for welders : With positive pressure systems that inject breathable air into the headgear They are ideal for long-term work . However, the use of these units requires an oxygen concentration rate higher than 19.5%.

Stand-alone devices for welders : used primarily for working in closed spaces (sinks, holes, pits, crawl spaces, pipes, tanks, sewers…) where the atmosphere is unbreathable (when the oxygen concentration rate is below 19.5%). They are divided into two categories: self-contained breathing apparatus And airway devices . The first category is ideal for short-term jobs, and the second category is ideal for long-term or tiring jobs.

Formaldehyde is a Highly Toxic VOC

What is a volatile organic compound?

Volatile organic compounds, better known as VOCs, thousands of items (such as hydrocarbons, solvents, preservatives, alcohols…) and biogenic , that is, natural or anthropogenic It may be (man-made). Due to their incredible numbers, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be found in almost every field of activity (medical, food industry, refineries…) and even in the home (paints, varnishes, cosmetics…). Because they are volatile, they spread around the emission source and are dangerous. Although some VOCs have a low impact on health (visual and odor nuisance), others are highly toxic and even carcinogenic.

The same happens when dissolved in water formalin or formic aldehyde This also applies to formaldehyde, also known as formaldehyde.

This volatile organic compound belongs to the aldehyde family, formed as a result of the chemical transformation of an alcohol or incomplete combustion of fuel or wood. This article It is very harmful to humans and many in the field of activity (industry, agriculture, photography), in houses (foam pressed boards used for insulation, concrete, plaster, woodworking…) and even in tobacco smoke can be found .

Dangers of formaldehyde exposure:

For brief introduction:

At ambient temperature, formaldehyde (or methanal) is extremely flammable and depending on its properties, it may form explosive mixtures in air. Brief exposure (more than 0.1 ppm for 15 minutes) may cause skin irritation, especially eczema, burning sensation in the eyes, and breathing difficulties. loss of sensation causes . Even at low doses, formaldehyde causes severe ulceration of the digestive tract, although cases of ingestion are rare.

For long-term exposure:

Long-term exposure to formaldehyde leads to rapid deterioration of respiratory capacities: nasal lesions, cough, asthma, pulmonary system failure. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recommends formaldehyde category 1 carcinogenic substance classified as , which means that its carcinogenic effects in humans have been proven. Indeed, results of epidemiological studies reveal a clear causal relationship between formaldehyde exposure and nasopharyngeal cancers. However, the results do not guarantee a definitive link between this volatile organic compound and leukemia.

How to protect against formaldehyde:

Before protecting against formaldehyde, it must be detected. The simplest and most economical solution is to use colorimetric reagent tubes such as Dräger tubes with gas point measurement. Reagent tubes (with pumps, such as Gastec tubes) provide instantaneous measurement of gas concentration, while dosimetric tubes measure average exposure to the gas. A VOC detector would be useful for more in-depth study and functionality.

 

The simplest and most cost-effective solution is the gas detector tube system. Actually colorimetric gas detection tubes ( Gastec reagent tubes (such as pumped ones) allow instantaneous measurement of a time-weighted average of exposure to this gas. A volatile organic compound detector will be useful for precise monitoring and more complete functions.

Once detected, air-purifying respiratory protective equipment makes it possible to protect against it. With type B filter cartridge half masks or full face gas masks It offers the best protection against this volatile organic compound. A full respirator that protects the eyes should be preferred to prevent any eye irritation.

Dangers of Phosphine Gas Fumigation

What is phosphine?

Phosphine (PH3) is a gas composed of phosphorus hydride (its official and international name is phosphane). PH3 is a colorless, flammable and very toxic gas with a fishy or garlic odor. Phosphine acts on the central nervous system and lungs, causing pulmonary edema. Symptoms such as weakness, vomiting, headache, and chest tightness may occur rapidly after exposure. Exposure to high concentrations of phosphine – even short-term – can lead to chronic neurological problems, so people who work with or are around phosphine should be extremely careful. Therefore, industries working with this toxic substance must have a detector to avoid risks, such as the SI-H100 gas detector with integrated sampling pump.

What is phosphine gas fumigation?

Fumigation is a technical process that consists in spraying a gas in a closed cabinet (barrel, skid, crate, container) to destroy pests (mostly living organisms (bugs, beetles, moth, rodents…)); The most commonly used gas is phosphine.

This method is mandatory for international shipping, for example, to prevent bacteriological contaminations or the introduction of animals or insects from one continent to another. The only gases authorized by FAO are hydrogen phosphide or phosphine (PH3) and methyl bromide (CH3 Br).

What are the dangers of PH3 exposure?

Phosphine is very dangerous for humans. For example, in 2010, two dock workers in the Netherlands were seriously poisoned while unloading a container from China containing a high concentration of toxic gas, and one of them was in a coma for 5 days.

How to detect phosphine gas and how to protect it?

Persons who may be in contact with PH3, such as warehouse workers or customs officers, should be systematically equipped with a PH3 phosphine gas detector as personal protective equipment. Additionally, people working in confined spaces potentially contaminated with phosphine or working with this gas are strongly recommended to wear a gas mask with a type B cartridge adapted for phosphine filtration.

In conclusion, phosphine gas fumigation is a delicate process that is often necessary for workers but involves real dangers and must be carried out with extreme caution!

How to Protect from Sarin Gas?

Sarin (GB) It is odorless, colorless and volatile (liquefies at ambient temperature) and belongs to the family of organophosphates. It is extremely toxic to humans and animals. It is estimated that this gas is 500 times more toxic than cyanide.

This is neurotoxic – soman (GD) , tabun (GA) And VX (10 times more lethal than sarin) – it is extremely dangerous (0.01 ppm of this gas can be lethal) enters the respiratory tract or simply through skin contact (but can also be used to poison water or food) and mixes directly with the blood and affects the nervous system. It prevents the transmission of sensory impulses and causes death due to cardiorespiratory arrest. The injured first feel severe headaches and their pupils dilate. They then convulse, experience respiratory arrest before falling into a coma and dying.

sarin gas, By the United Nations on 3 April 1991 (resolution 687) « weapon of mass destruction » before being classified as a chemical war It is considered . Therefore, its production and preservation has been prohibited since 1993.

How to protect yourself from sarin gas (sarin gas mask)?

gas mask Remember that (or rather anti-gas mask) only protects the respiratory tract . As mentioned above, sarin gas can also be absorbed through the skin –NBC le gas sarin can also be peau (NBD protection equipment required) or swallowed…

For respiratory protection against sarin gas covering a wide range of hazards Type ABEK2-P3 (also coded A2B2E2K2-P3) We recommend panoramic gas masks with filtering cartridges:

Each filter cartridge is characterized by a set of letters (type of protection: ABEKP) and numbers (absorption class: 1-2-3):
A : Organic gas and vapor (solvents) with a boiling point above 65°C
B : Inorganic gas and vapor (chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, sulfure d'hydrogène, hydrogen cyanide).
E : Acid gas and vapor such as sulfur dioxide.
K : Ammonia and organic compounds
P : Solid and liquid particles, Particules solides et liquides, radioactive and highly toxic particles, bacteria and viruses

Our « How to choose a filtration cartridge » tool available on the GTC Industrial website allows you to determine the type of cartridge you need based on the gas(es) encountered, with a description of each cartridge available…

Even more «protective», like Scott Safety’s TORNADO, made of hypalon (high resistance to chemical products) that covers the entire head and shoulders. has an integrated hood (used with NBC protection equipment) and With A2B2E2K2Hg-PSL filter cartridge a powered air-assisted respirator

Powered air-supported respirator TORNADO consists of 3 units: ventilation system (« engine »), filter cartridge(s) and facepiece (hood, mask…). The engine sucks ambient air through filters and injects it into the head protection through a corrugated hose.

Assisted ventilation reduces respiratory effort and fatigue resulting from the use of filtered respiratory protection equipment. This is a respiratory protection system especially adapted for long-term work or high temperature situations. Assisted ventilation Overpressure in the head ensures a high nominal protection factor.

All types of filtered respiratory protection devices (gas masks, powered air-assisted respirators…) It definitely requires at least 17% oxygen volume, otherwise it will be necessary to use a self-contained breathing apparatus…

H2S on the beach

Of course, there are also green algae, for which large-scale strandings have increased significantly and intensified along the Brittany coast, but there are other algae that are equally 'of interest'.

When these organic materials decompose (anaerobic fermentation), they release a gas that is easily recognized by its “rotten egg” odor at very low concentrations and disappears at higher concentrations. This is hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

Hydrogen sulfide is considered a toxic and dangerous gas. It is a colorless gas and heavier than air. Hydrogen sulfide is a stable compound at normal temperatures, but at very high temperatures it can decompose and eventually burn in air, creating toxic sulfur oxide fumes. Prolonged exposure and breathing of this gas can lead to serious health consequences. Indeed, if the gas concentration reaches or exceeds 1000 ppm by volume, it can cause damage to the central nervous system, with symptoms of loss of consciousness and respiratory distress. These are the main health risks that people face if exposed to this gas. If the concentration of hydrogen sulfide is less than 1,000 ppm by volume, the main health effects will be irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, conjunctivitis, rhinitis and dyspnea, or degeneration of the olfactory nerve (making the gas impossible to detect).

There are devices to detect the presence of gas, in this case hydrogen sulfide, in the air in a given area. The safest way to prevent hydrogen sulfide is to use a portable H2S gas detector (a single-gas detector, such as the Senko SGT disposable gas detector, or a multi-gas detector, such as a portable 4-gas detector), which will indicate the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the atmosphere. The detector will also display the instantaneous concentration of the gas, TWA (Mean Exposure Limit) and STEL (Threshold Limit Value). If a limit value is exceeded, the gas detector will emit an audible signal (up to 95 dBA) and a light signal.

If H2S is detected, you will need to take the necessary precautions to ensure optimum safety and use appropriate protection, such as a respiratory protection mask with a type B filter cartridge (ideally B2). You can also use a half mask (anti-gas), but hydrogen sulfide is still quite irritating to the eyes and a full mask will protect them better than a half mask…

So be careful even on holidays and beaches…

Have a nice swim!

Underworld and Gas Detection

GTC Industrial admires and supports Jérôme and Laurent TRIOLET's passion for the underworld…

For safety, they use, among other things, an oxygen depletion sensor (oxygen deficiency detection) in its 2-year disposable version, such as the Senko SGT disposable gas detector or an oxygen depletion sensor (oxygen deficiency detection) in its single gas version, such as the T40 Rattler detector or the Pac 6500 or to prevent the risk of suffocation.

We are pleased to invite you to visit their English-language website to discover their passions and admire the photo archive of fascinating underground passages…

Numerous publications are available (books, lectures, films, radio programs…) to share the passion for the underworld ( limited areas ). In fact, the recommendations written in their book « Souterrains de Vendée » are:

« In labyrinthine spaces such as underground quarries, careless people can easily get lost. To avoid such situations, it is highly recommended to plan for adequate lighting (backup lights and batteries) and inform household members and friends. Only a few cavities are completely safe: the destructive impact of water leaks, breaking the rock, can cause collapses from some stones to huge blocks of rock. »

Finally, one of the biggest dangers is air quality. The underworld is a limited space: While the oxygen rate may decrease in narrow and inadequately ventilated spaces, the carbon dioxide rate may dangerously increase.

As a result, shortness of breath, headache, feeling of pressure and confusion can quickly lead to disasters such as syncope, which can occur at any time. The candle can give an estimate of the oxygen rate, but by the time it closes it is probably too late; Only an oxygen detector allows users to permanently monitor the evolution of oxygen concentration.

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