Case Study 1

1. I do not believe in insurance agent as he claims that phosgene gas has entered the

building without any prior testing or check for its presence.

2. The incomplete burning may have produced fumes of carbon monoxide or the fumes

have further reacted with polyethylene present in freezer area which also produces

carbon monoxide if subjected to heat. As short term exposure to carbon monoxide

causes headaches and nausea, I would say that it was carbon monoxide.

3. I would use Fluke CO-220 and Kane 100-1 analyzer for the detection of CO and CO2 and I

would also use high volume air sampler for detection of suspended particles in the air.

4. I would recommend the use of proactive approach for the source reduction and

substitution of such hazardous materials and in case, the company is unable to go for

proactive approach then they at least must be prepared for reactive approach:

 Use PPE’s

 Scheduled inspection of the work place to minimize such hazards

 Training of the workers should be held

 Promote safety culture

 Use fire detectors and fire extinguishers

Case Study 2:

The chemical contained in the artificial nail products is Ethyl methacrylate which can cause

dermatitis, inflammation of mucous layer of nose and eyes and allergy issues.
1. The main exposure pathway for this chemical is by physical contact. As it is being used in

the salon for artificial nail production, it is definite that it is being contacted by some

worker and the worker’s contacted bare hands with this chemical touch his or her face,

it is very much obvious that he or she might get dermatitis or inflammation of mucous

layer of nose and eyes.

2. If there is an unusually strong and fruity odor present; it is an indicator of the presence

of ethyl methacrylate. Another technique is to check for their prices. Of the prices are

dramatically low, it may point out the usage of ethyl methacrylate. Hand held air

sampler (HAM) is the best possible option to detect ethyl methacrylate. Analytical

methods for the detection can be gas chromatography aided with ionization,

spectroscopy or mass spectrophotometry and we can also use CSC sampler.

3. Use downdraft manicure table. For a person in contact with ethyl methacrylate should

consider following precautions:

 Use a full face respirator

 Use polyvinyl alcohol gloves or butyl rubber gloves and wash hands before and after the

use of EMA

 Wear eye glasses and salon must be act like a fume hood

4. The best air monitoring is the use of Hand-held Air Monitor (HAM) and the use of

sorbent tubes. The NIOSH method 2537 with XAD-2 solid sorbent tubes is best for the

sampling.
 Case Study 3:

The first question which arises is; “Which cryogen or refrigerant gas is being used in

Cryosurgical room?” if it uses 𝑁2 𝑂 gas, then it portrays a definite threat to the workers if

standard SOP’s are not being used.

1. Hand-held Air Sampler (HAM) with in the presence of XAD solid sorbents can be used to

monitor the chemical exposure of cryosurgical gases like 𝑁2 𝑂. I would use a specific

OSHA method ID-166 (Nitrous Oxide in Workplace Atmospheres). The sampler used for

this purpose is Landauer Diffusive Sampler which used infrared radiations.

2. If the SOP’s for the handling and use of cryogen gas is not being followed, the emissions

might also be problematic for the patients and workers visiting the operating room. But,

I don’t think the visitors might be affected by the emissions as none of them is allowed

to visit operating room.

3. The suspect material can reach out if there is no proper handling and ventilation. While

carrying out from room to another might cause the dispersion of suspect material.

4.

 Exposure observing should be the first step in evolving work performs and worker

education programs must be conducted.

 Proper handling of gas cylinders

 Use scavenging masks

 Use air sampler for the detection of exposure limit of the specified chemical.
 Apply a proper scavenging system.

 Use engineering controls and maintenance of the equipment to get rid of any leakage

problems.