Page 89 - Environmental Control in Petroleum Engineering

76 Environmental Control in Petroleum Engineering

that should not be exceeded during the work day. TLV values are
developed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH). Reference doses (concentration per mass of
tissue) are an estimate of a daily exposure level to humans that is
likely to occur without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during
a lifetime. Table 3-2 provides an example of a reference dose for
several hydrocarbons.
These guidelines have been promulgated into rules and regulations
by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These
rules are referred to as permissible exposure levels (PEL). TLV values
are guidelines based on scientific evidence. PEL values are legal rales
based on health, economic, and safety considerations. The National
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) also develops
recommended exposure limits (RELs). Like TLV values, RELs are
guidelines, not rales.
One source of toxicity data in the United States are Material Safety
Data Sheets (MSDSs). For any substance sold in the United States,
the manufacturer must provide an MSDS that summarizes all known
health and physical hazard information about the substance. The
toxicity information provided on MSDSs is most commonly LD 50 data.
Although the format of MSDSs can vary, they must provide the
following information:
1. Manufacturer's name, address, phone number, and date of MSDS
preparation.
2. Identity of material (chemical and common names).

Table 3-2
Calculated Reference Dose
for Petroleum Hydrocarbons

Reference Dose
Hydrocarbon (mg/kg-day)

Mineral spirits 0.015
Diesel fuel no. 2 0.04
Lubricating oil 0.11
Crude oil 0.04
Source: Ryer-Power et al., 1993.
Copyright SPE, with permission.