Note: These health
risks are those associated with industrial exposure – frequent and for extended
periods. They do not apply directly to
occasional and shorter periods of exposure.
Risks are assessed as acute and chronic. Acute means immediate reaction. Chronic means the effects are cumulative and may take years to appear.
Composition of Flux
The major components of commercial flux are varying
combinations and proportions of zinc chloride (or ammonium chloride),
hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, and hydrobromic acid. It comes in many forms and many brand
names. It is important to use water soluble
flux in stained glass work to enable thorough cleaning.
Zinc Chloride Risks
Zinc
chloride inhalation from smoke screen generators or smoke bombs may cause
transient cough, sore throat, hoarseness, a metallic taste, and chest
pain. Exposure to high zinc chloride
concentrations produces a chemical pneumonitis with marked dyspnoea, a
productive cough, fever, chest pain and cyanosis. Pneumothorax and the adult
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have been reported. Fatalities have
occurred….
http://www.inchem.org/documents/ukpids/ukpids/ukpid86.htm#:~:text=Toxicity%20Zinc%20chloride%20is%20corrosive,anorexia%2C%20fatigue%20and%20weight%20loss.
http://www.inchem.org/documents/ukpids/ukpids/ukpid86.htm#:~:text=Toxicity%20Zinc%20chloride%20is%20corrosive,anorexia%2C%20fatigue%20and%20weight%20loss.
Ammonium Chloride Risks
Exposure to
Ammonium Chloride is moderately hazardous, causing irritation, shortness of
breath, cough, nausea, and headache. Most exposure is a result of contact with
the fume form of this chemical (Ammonium Muriate Fume and Sal Ammoniac Fume),
which is a finely divided particulate dispersed in the air. The fumes are
capable of causing severe eye irritation. Consistent exposure can cause an
asthma-like allergy or affect kidney function.
In the event of
accidental contact, get immediate medical attention and follow these first aid
measures:
· Skin Contact: Immediately flush skin with water and disinfectant soap and use an emollient on irritated area.
· Eye Contact: Rinse eye(s) with water for at least 15-20 minutes. Protect unexposed eye.
· Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly with water. Do NOT induce vomiting.
· Inhalation: Move to fresh air and administer artificial respiration if needed.
https://www.msdsonline.com/2017/05/05/chemical-spotlight-ammonium-chloride/#:~:text=Exposure%20to%20Ammonium%20Chloride%20is,particulate%20dispersed%20in%20the%20air.
· Skin Contact: Immediately flush skin with water and disinfectant soap and use an emollient on irritated area.
· Eye Contact: Rinse eye(s) with water for at least 15-20 minutes. Protect unexposed eye.
· Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly with water. Do NOT induce vomiting.
· Inhalation: Move to fresh air and administer artificial respiration if needed.
https://www.msdsonline.com/2017/05/05/chemical-spotlight-ammonium-chloride/#:~:text=Exposure%20to%20Ammonium%20Chloride%20is,particulate%20dispersed%20in%20the%20air.
Hydrochloric Acid Risks
Hydrochloric acid is corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous
membranes. Acute (short-term) inhalation
exposure may cause eye, nose, and respiratory tract irritation and inflammation
and pulmonary edema in humans. Acute
oral exposure may cause corrosion of the mucous membranes, oesophagus, and
stomach and dermal contact may produce severe burns, ulceration, and scarring
in humans.
Acute Effects:
Hydrochloric acid is corrosive to the eyes, skin, and
mucous membranes. Acute inhalation
exposure may cause coughing, hoarseness, inflammation and ulceration of the
respiratory tract, chest pain, and pulmonary edema in humans. Acute oral exposure may cause corrosion of the
mucous membranes, oesophagus, and stomach, with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea
reported in humans. [Skin] contact may
produce severe burns, ulceration, and scarring…. Acute animal tests in rats,
mice, and rabbits, have demonstrated hydrochloric acid to have moderate to high
acute toxicity from inhalation and moderate acute toxicity from oral exposure.
Chronic Effects:
(Non cancer): Chronic occupational exposure to
hydrochloric acid has been reported to cause gastritis, chronic bronchitis,
dermatitis, and photosensitization in workers. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations may
also cause dental discoloration and erosion. Chronic inhalation exposure caused hyperplasia
of the nasal mucosa, larynx, and trachea and lesions in the nasal cavity in
rats. The Reference Concentration (RfC)
for hydrochloric acid is 0.02 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m 3) … The RfC is
an estimate … of a continuous inhalation exposure to the human population
(including sensitive subgroups) that is likely to be without appreciable risk
of deleterious noncancer effects during a lifetime. It is not a direct estimator of risk but
rather a reference point to gauge the potential effects. At exposures increasingly greater than the RfC,
the potential for adverse health effects increases. Lifetime exposure above the RfC does not imply
that an adverse health effect would necessarily occur.
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/hydrochloric-acid.pdf
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/hydrochloric-acid.pdf
Phosphoric
Acid Risks
Phosphoric acid can be very hazardous in the case of skin
contact, eye contact, and ingestion. It can also cause irritation if vapours
are inhaled. This chemical can cause damage to the skin, eyes, mouth, and
respiratory tract. Because of the potential hazards posed by this chemical, it
is important to use care when handling it.
Repeated or prolonged exposure to phosphoric acid mist can
lead to chronic eye irritation, severe skin irritation, or prolonged
respiratory tract issues. In case of accidental exposure to phosphoric acid, follow
these first aid guidelines:
Inhalation — Seek fresh air and immediate medical attention.
Eye Contact — Remove contact lenses if present. Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and get medical attention.
Skin Contact — Wash skin with soap and water. Cover any irritated skin with an emollient. Seek medical attention.
Ingestion — Do
NOT induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Seek medical attention if any adverse health symptoms occur.
https://www.msdsonline.com/2015/06/17/phosphoric-acid-safety-tips/
https://www.msdsonline.com/2015/06/17/phosphoric-acid-safety-tips/
Citric Acid
Citric acid can be a minor skin irritant, causing itchy skin
and even minor burns to those that are sensitive to it. Hands should be washed
immediately if citric acid comes into contact with bare skin. Protective gloves
should be worn during handling to avoid any accidental contact. The acid can
also irritate the walls of the throat if ingested or burn the lining of your
stomach if ingested in large quantities.
Eye Irritation - Citric acid is a severe eye irritant. Accidental contact
with the eyes can occur … by touching the eyes after the acid has contacted the
fingertips. … Protective eyewear should
be worn when working with citric acid under laboratory conditions. Eyes should
be flushed with water immediately if they happen to come in contact with the
acid.
https://sciencing.com/hazards-citric-acid-8165149.html
https://sciencing.com/hazards-citric-acid-8165149.html
Remember that this irritation is equivalent to squirting lemon juice into your eye. It is not a chronic risk.
Hydrobromic Acid (HBr)
Hydrobromic acid and hydrogen bromide gas are highly
corrosive substances that can cause severe burns upon contact with all body
tissues. The aqueous acid and gas are strong eye irritants and [tear producers].
Contact of concentrated hydrobromic acid or concentrated HBr vapor with the
eyes may cause severe injury, resulting in permanent impairment of vision and
possible blindness. Skin contact with the acid or HBr gas can produce severe
burns. Ingestion can lead to severe burns of the mouth, throat, and
gastrointestinal system and can be fatal. Inhalation of HBr gas can cause
extreme irritation and injury to the upper respiratory tract and lungs, and
exposure to high concentrations may cause death. … Hydrogen bromide has not been
found to be carcinogenic or to show reproductive or developmental toxicity in
humans.
https://web.stanford.edu/dept/EHS/cgi-bin/lcst/lcss/lcss47.html#:~:text=The%20aqueous%20acid%20and%20gas,gas%20can%20produce%20severe%20burns.
https://web.stanford.edu/dept/EHS/cgi-bin/lcst/lcss/lcss47.html#:~:text=The%20aqueous%20acid%20and%20gas,gas%20can%20produce%20severe%20burns.
Precautions to be taken by glass workers
The risks outlined above are related to dealing with
concentrated amounts of the materials in industrial settings. Risk levels are much reduced in the craft
setting. The risks are mainly centred on
breathing and eye exposure.
It is important to wear masks of the quality that will deal
with inorganic fumes. In Europe these
are designated as FFP2. In general masks
rated at N95, P95, or R95 are the level required for filtering out 95% of particles
that are larger than 3microns. Dust masks
are not sufficient protection.
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