Thesis
Developing the protective action criterion value and health code numbers for engineered carbon nanotubes and demonstrating potential applications in emergency preparedness
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2014
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102646
Abstract
This paper reports the first evaluation and derivation of the Protective Action Criterion (PAC) value and Health Code Numbers (HCNs) for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (CASRN: 308068-56- 6), an emerging nano-sized chemical hazardous mixture in multiple industries. Recent toxicological data of CNTs were evaluated and the PAC value and HCNs for emergency planning and safety analysis were developed. Three main sources account for the development of PAC values, including Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs), Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPGs) and Temporary Emergency Exposure Limits (TEELs). The hierarchy of the sources for developing PAC values recommended by the Department of Energy (DOE) is to use AEGLs first, then ERPGs, and finally TEELs. PAC values are categorized in three severity levels (PAC-1, mild; PAC-2, serious and irreversible effects on a person's ability to respond; and PAC-3, life-threatening health effects). PAC-2 values are the most relevant to emergency preparedness and management and thus most widely used. The PAC-2 value of CNTs was obtained following the procedure in the DOE TEEL Handbook owing to the lack of AEGLs and ERPGs. HCNs are similar to medical diagnostic codes used to assign the similar acute or chronic toxic target organ effects according to the HCN Development Procedure. The newly developed PAC-2 value (i.e., TEEL-2 value) and HCNs of CNTs were compared with synthetic graphite (CASRN: 7440-44-0). EPIcode, a chemical dispersion modeling software, coupled with ArcGIS, a geographic information analysis tool, was used to simulate the threat zone and assess the consequences of the hypothetical release of CNTs and synthetic graphite in the air. The results indicated that it was inappropriate to substitute the PAC-value and HCNs of synthetic graphite for the ones of CNTs to assess the toxic consequences caused by CNTs release. This work also illustrated potential applications of Chemical Mixture Methodology (CMM) and PAC for fast visualization of potential adverse health effects in emergency planning by integrating with chemical dispersion models
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Details
- Title
- Developing the protective action criterion value and health code numbers for engineered carbon nanotubes and demonstrating potential applications in emergency preparedness
- Creators
- Juan Yao
- Contributors
- Allan S. Felsot (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Environment, School of the (CAHNRS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525387701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis