Exposure To Roofing Tar Fumes

Breathing asphaltfumescan irritate the nose throat and lungs causing coughing wheezing and or shortness of breath.

Exposure to roofing tar fumes.

Over a half million workers are exposed to fumes from asphalt a petroleum product used extensively in road paving roofing siding and concrete work 1. Asphalt is heated to pave roads and seal road cracks. All of these effects typically go away once the person is no longer exposed to the fumes and pose no known long term health consequences. Most important the document serves as a basis for identifying future.

According to niosh the exposure limit of exposure to asphalt fumes should not exceed 5mg m 3 in any 15minute period and 0 5mg m 3 over 8hours exposure. Occupational exposure to asphalt fumes. It includes an assessment of chemistry health and exposure data from studies in animals and humans exposed to raw asphalt paving and roofing asphalt fume condensates and asphalt based paints. Using hot roofing tar can easily cause odor complaints because the odor is strong pungent and can be smelled at very low concentrations in the air.

The may be a concern for asphalt workers because of the higher exposure to fumes but not for building occupants with a much lower exposure. Exposure to asphalt fumes may give some people headaches or make them nauseated. Workers exposed to asphalt fumes are at risk of developing headaches rashes cough and possibly cancer. There is indirect evidence that exposure to roof tar chemicals may cause birth defects.

It includes an assessment of chemistry health and exposure data from studies in animals and humans exposed to raw asphalt paving and roofing asphalt fume condensates and asphalt based paints. Most important the document serves as a basis for identifying future research to reduce occupational exposures to asphalt. Asphalt fumes over a half million workers are exposed to fumes from asphalt a petroleum product used extensively in road paving roofing siding and concrete work. Both skin cancer and loss of skin pigment could result from chronic exposure to the asphalt fumes.

Asphaltfumescan irritate the eyes on contact. This releases large amount of fumes often in a warehouse or other indoor setting. When hot asphalt is applied in a molten state it generates toxic fumes. Paving and roofing asphalt is manufactured is large batches.

Laboratory studies of roof tar extracts have shown dna changes in human fetal cells exposed to asphalt fume extracts. Roofing heated asphalt is used for sealing roofs. Safety precautions when exposed to asphalt fumes do not eat or smoke while working with asphalt. Fumes from asphalt can cause irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes of the nose and throat.

Criteria for a recommended standard.