SUBJECT : Fugitive Emissions and the Carcinogens 5-1

The clean air act of 1990 was signed by President Bush in November of 1990. This was the toughest version yet. It addressed many subjects that included :

The first 41 categories of chemicals and compounds became law in November 1992. Sixty three more were added in November 1994, another sixty three in 1997, and the restin January 1, 2000. Hazardous organics were thethe first to be scrutinized. Benzene, coke oven emissions, and ethylene oxide sterilizers will probably follow shortly after.

Plants will be required to install the best available air pollution control devices described as "Maximum Achievable Control Technologies" (MACT). MACT will be defined as "the best available controls [for plants of the same type], taking cost into account". New plants will have to match the control levels reached by the lowest emitters in their category, while existing plants will have to meet a target based on the average emissions from 12% of their competitors most tightly controlled plants.

In this paper I have noted the chemicals that are presently on both the Carcinogen and Fugitive Emissions lists. The compounds on these lists should be sealed with two (dual) mechanical seals to prevent their escaping to the atmosphere and violating the applicable restrictions or possible harming personnel in the area.

The first list is for the fugitive emission chemicals . You'll note that I have included some uses for these compounds along with the names. Fugitive emissions are defined as those emissions not caught by a capture system which are often due to equipment leaks, evaporative processes and windblown disturbances.

The list of 189 Toxic compounds includes :

* dissolves in water, so you should be able to use water as a flush or as a barrier fluid between two mechanical seals. Check with your technical people to be sure.

In the United States, cancer is the second most common cause of death. Section 262 of Public law 95-622 of November 9,1978 stipulates that the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human services shall publish an annual report which contains a list of all substances which either are known to be carcinogens or may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogens and to which a significant number of persons in the United States are exposed.

The comprehensive list was published in the 1989 summary. I have extrapolated those chemicals that we encounter in the petrochemical industry and left out those that are pretty much limited to the medical profession. If you are interested in allowable exposure limits or have any other questions about the noted chemicals contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Fifth Annual Report On Carcinogens Summary 1989 NTP 89-239.

Known carcinogens are defined as, "those substances for which the evidence from human studies indicates that there is a casual relationship between the exposure to the substance and human cancer." The list includes :

Here are some substances which may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogens. Defined as, "those for which there is a limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans or sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals".

FUGITIVE EMISSIONS & CARCINOGENS

Fugitive emissions

Known Carcinogens

Believed to be carcinogens

Occupational exposures associated with a technical process that are known to be carcinogenic

Delisted Chemicals

*Soluble in water, so you should be able to use water as a flush or barrier fluid between two seals. Check with your technical people

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