Measurements of N-nitroso compounds (N-nitrosamines) in ambient air of workplaces and near coke works and steel shops

Ziel

The main objectives of the project are:

1 Determination of the nitrogen compounds which can lead to the formation of N-nitrosamines in coking plants and steelworks.

2 Investigation of artefact formation during sampling.

3 Development of new sampling and analysis techniques and evaluation of whether existing methods of analysis are suitable for N-nitrosamines.

4 Harmonisation (differences, correlations) of the procedures developed by each of the participating institutes and establishing of a standard procedure for use in all countries.

5 First measurements of N-nitrosamines to obtain tenable results which can serve as a basis for EC legislation. The focus will be on measurements at workstations in different types of plant in the coal and steel industries of the participating countries.

Nitrosamines are known carcinogens. They are formed by reaction of preferentially secondary amines with nitrosating agents, both of which may occur at workplaces as undesirable by-products or emissions. Nitrosamines have so far been identified in the ambient air in the metal processing, rubber and leather industries.

Bituminous coals used in the coking industry contain 1-2% nitrogen, most of which ends up either in the tar fraction or, following gas scrubbing, as ammonium sulphate. However, coke oven leaks (from charging lids, doors and ascension pipes) may lead to uncontrolled emissions of mainly aromatic amines, which in the presence of nitrous gases (NO and NO2) may be transformed into N-nitrosamines.

Formation of N-nitrosamines must also be expected in the steel industry, originating from cooling lubricants containing nitrogen and hardeners used in foundries.

A major problem in the measurement of nitrosamines is artefact formation during the sampling process. It has been shown that in this case amines are also retained which react with NOx traces in the ambient air to form N-nitrous amines though only when they reach the substrate. This phenomenon is observed particularly in the presence of aromatic amines, which is specifically the case in coking plants. The pollutant concentrations identified should not be associated with a particular pollution source, as they are caused entirely by artefact formation as a result of subsequent nitrosation on the sampling medium.

In order to protect workers and the population from the toxicological effects of N-nitrosamines, it is necessary to act upon the conditions favouring the formation of these noxious substances in the environment. To be able to do this it is necessary to have information on concentrations, types of compound and sources of emission of N-nitrosamines and amines (their precursors).

The planned research and development project is concerned with the problem of N-nitrosamines in the environment of steelworks and associated coking plants.

Programm/Programme

ECSC-WORKSAFE C - First joint research programme (ECSC) "Safety in the European Coal and Steel Community industries", 1989-1993

Thema/Themen

1 - General safety requirements

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

Data not available

Finanzierungsplan

Data not available

Koordinator

DMT-Gesellschaft fuer Forschung und Pruefung mbH

EU-Beitrag

Keine Daten

Adresse

Franz-Fisher-Weg, 61
45307 Essen
Deutschland

Gesamtkosten