Aromatic amines in the workplace atmosphere of an aluminum

Aromatic Amines in the Workplace Atmosphere of an Aluminum Smelter
R. Roussel, A. Gaboury, and C. Laviviere

Recently, there was an increased interest in the incidence of bladder cancer in the aluminum industry. We undertook to verify if aromatic amines, known to be bladder carcinogens, such as β-naphthylamine, are present in the workplace atmosphere of a Soderberg smelter. A new and sufficiently sensitive method was developed to measure personal exposures to β-naphthylamine. It is based on a 5% sulfuric acid impregnated filter to collect the amines and analysis by gas chromatography with mass selective detection anyhydride (PFPAA). Using this mehtod, it was shown that coal tar pitch and pitch volatiles contain 3-30 ppm of β-naphthylamine and therefore act as the source of amines. It was also shown for the first time that aromatic amines are present in the worlplace atmosphere of Soderberg potrooms. Eight (8) hour TWA concentrations ranged from <1 to 410 ng/m3 for β-naphthylamine. Average ambient air concentrations varied from <1 up to 23 ng/m3.

Publisher: TMS
Product Format: PDF
Pages: 503-507
Date Published: February 1, 1991
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