Monitoring & metering Protecting against benzene exPosure
the US and China. While this hydrocarbon has a range of practical applications and uses, including in plastics, resins, rubbers and synthetic fibres, the risks associated with benzene are not to be underestimated. Benzene must be carefully monitored to mitigate the risk of exposure, but with correct management benzene can be applied in a variety of useful ways. ION Science, the UK’s leading OEM for
B
PID (photoionisation detection) technology, VOC (volatile organic compound) gas analysis, and monitoring, is an expert in protecting against benzene exposure. Working with a variety of industries that use benzene in their applications, ION Science has developed an experienced team who are able to advise, protect and manage benzene exposure in a range of situations. Benzene is a common and useful hydrocarbon,
however the long-term health risks of prolonged benzene exposure are serious. These can include leukaemia, anaemia, respiratory difficulties and compromised immune system. Immediate short- term effects include dizziness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, headaches, tremors, confusion, skin, eye, or lung irritation, and in high concentrations, benzene can prove fatal. In the environment, particularly soil and
water, benzene can prove just as devastating in its impact. Benzene does occur naturally in very low levels as the result of volcanic activity, but primarily when found in the environment, it is as a result of industrial accidents, improper disposal, leaks, spills, and leachate from landfill. Once benzene enters the soil and water systems, it breaks down very slowly and poses a risk to wildlife and human health through chemical build up. Should benzene be consumed (such as
through contaminated water), it can lead to the above short-term effects, as well as vomiting and stomach irritation. Fortunately, as a common hydrocarbon that
is used in many industries, there are several technologies to help detect and monitor benzene available. VOC gas detection, supported by PID technology, is the most effective way to detect benzene in the environment or air. Detection at low levels, such as parts per million or parts per billion (ppm or ppb) is also essential for ensuring that the contaminating benzene can be removed to safe and legal levels through appropriate methods. ION Science has the technology and expertise to help detect and monitor benzene in a number of scenarios, protecting the health of people and the environment in the long term. For benzene that has contaminated soil, there
are both in-situ and ex-situ solutions available for the cleaning and removing of contaminants. In-
40
situ offers soil vapour extraction, whereby benzene vapours are stripped from soil by aerobic or anaerobic biodegradation. This leaves the soil intact while removing the harmful benzene. Ex-situ is much more primitive, involving the removal of the affected soil by excavation. Soil vapour extraction is the preferred method, but it does pose the risk of leaving traces of benzene behind that have ingrained into the environment via adsorption. To ensure the safety of the public and the
protection of the environment and wildlife, if benzene exposure is a risk it must be dealt with efficiently and to the highest standards of industrial hygiene. ION Science, as an expert in
gas detection and monitoring, has solutions available for the detection and long-term monitoring of benzene. The Tiger Select portable benzene gas
detector can provide 15-minute short-term exposure limits and right-hour time-weighted averages for total aromatic compounds (TACs). For personal protection, the Cub TAC 10.0 eV solution is designed specifically for use in benzene monitoring. When used together, the Tiger Select and Cub TAC are the best protection against benzene exposure with the highest level of protection.
ION Science
ionscience.com November 2021 Instrumentation Monthly
enzene is regularly ranked as one of the top 20 most commonly used chemicals in industrial manufacturing, particularly in
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74
