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Posted By Patrick Burns CMIOSH - SpDipEM - MIQA
I am trying to find out the rationale for the reduction in limits to hydrogen sulphide. (H2S)
The marine sector has a publication titled ISGOTT - International Safety Guide for Operation of Tankers and Terminals.
The previous limits for H2S were 10ppm/8hr twa and 15ppm/15 min short term exposure. This is the same for the earlier edition of EH40 when using OES and MEls.
ISGOTT has changed the 8hr TWA to 5ppm and in referring to current EH40 the workplace exposure limit is 5ppm/8hr TWA. Likewise the short term exposure limit has now dropped to 10ppm for 15 mins.
I have been researching online, spoke with the HSE Infoline (who couldn't explain why the change) and sent an e-mail to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (haven't responded yet) to try and obtain the reason for the drop in exposure limit. ISGOTT have also failed to explain the change and I was wondering if any of my fellow professionals could help me find the reason(s).
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Patrick
I found this on the HSE website:
WATCH proposed to reduce the current OESs for Hydrogen Sulphide primarily on the basis of findings from a series of human volunteer studies which demonstrated some potentially adverse effects on aerobic metabolism following relatively short exposures to 10 ppm during vigorous exercise. WATCH acknowledged that there was some uncertainty regarding the toxicological and health significance of these changes but they considered that the evidence for biological effects at 10 ppm caused some concerns over whether the current 8-hour TWA OES of 10 ppm was sufficiently protective to health. On the basis of this human data, together with an indication from an occupational hygiene survey that lower OESs were practical across industry, WATCH proposed the tighter OESs detailed in CD157/00.
Paul
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Patrick Burns CMIOSH - SpDipEM - MIQA
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your assistance in tracking this, I would imagine that is why ISGOTT has been amended however, I am still trying to confirm this.
Brgds,
Patrick
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