Vinyl Acetate Toxicity - An Insight

Introduction

Vinyl acetate is an acetate ester of vinyl alcohol. As vinyl alcohol is highly unstable (for acetaldehyde), manufacturing vinyl acetate is more difficult than synthesizing other acetate esters. Therefore, the primary industrial approach entails the interaction of oxygen, ethylene, and acetic acid with a palladium catalyst.

Laboratory animals' eyes, noses, throats, and lungs became irritated after exposure to high vinyl acetate concentrations in the air (about 1,000 ppm) for a few weeks. When inhaled by rats and mice for up to two years, vinyl acetate at about 200 ppm irritated their noses and respiratory systems.

What Are the Adverse Health Effects of Vinyl Acetate Toxicity?

The following are the adverse health effects:

Acute Health Effects:

Following exposure to vinyl acetate, the following acute (short-term) health consequences could happen:

• Direct contact may irritate the skin and eyes.

• Coughing and shortness of breath may result from inhaling vinyl acetate, which can irritate the nose and throat.

• High concentrations can make a person tired and irritable, disrupt sleep, and make a person feel lightheaded and dizzy.

Chronic Health Effects:

Following exposure to vinyl acetate, the following chronic (long-term) health problems may manifest and may last for months or years:

Cancer Hazard:

• There is insufficient proof that vinyl acetate causes animal cancer.

• It might result in thyroid and uterine cancer. According to many scientists, there is no safe degree of exposure to a carcinogen.

Reproductive Hazard:

• Vinyl acetate may reduce male fertility.

• Prolonged contact might cause the skin to blister and burn.

Long-Term Effects:

• The heart, neurological system, and liver may be impacted by vinyl acetate.

What Are the Workplace Controls to Be Followed by the Workers for Vinyl Acetate Toxicity?

Engineering controls are the most efficient method of lowering exposure unless a less toxic chemical can be used in place of a hazardous compound. At the location of a chemical release, operations should be contained, and local exhaust ventilation should be available. Operation isolation can also lower exposure. Although less effective than the mentioned restrictions, wearing protective gear or respirators is occasionally necessary. Considering the following factors when assessing the controls at the workplace is necessary:

• The substance's hazard level.

• The amount of material distributed at work.

• Whether there is a chance of damaging skin or eye contact.

• Special safeguards should be placed when multiple skin, eye, or respiratory exposures are probable or when dangerous compounds are used.

The following controls should be practiced:

• Whenever practical, a mechanical pump must be used to transfer liquid vinyl acetate from storage bins to processing bins.

• Workers must ensure that there is no explosive vinyl acetate concentration before entering a tight space where it might be present.

Hazardous exposures can be decreased with the use of good work practices. Therefore, the following working procedures are advised:

• Employees wearing garments contaminated with vinyl acetate should immediately be changed to clean attire.

• Work garments exposed to vinyl acetate should be washed by people aware of the risks.

• In the vicinity of the work area, eye wash stations should be available in an emergency.

• There should be emergency bathing facilities available if skin exposure is a possibility.

• Washing as soon as vinyl acetate comes into touch with the skin is required to wash the chemical off. If the skin contact has occurred, all regions of the body that may have come into touch with vinyl acetate must be washed after work.

• Avoiding eating, smoking, and drinking in areas where vinyl acetate is handled, processed, or stored is recommended because it can be ingested. Before consuming anything, applying cosmetics, smoking, or visiting the restroom, hands must be washed thoroughly.

What Are the Personal Protective Equipment Used by the Workers for Vinyl Acetate Toxicity?

Workplace controls are preferred over personal protective equipment. Personal protective equipment, however, may be necessary for some jobs such as outdoor labor, confined space entrance, jobs performed only occasionally, or jobs performed while workplace controls are being installed. Employers must identify the proper personal protective equipment for each hazard and instruct staff members on how and when to use it. The following suggestions are simply recommendations that might be appropriate:

Clothing:

• Avoid getting vinyl acetate on the skin. Put on gloves and garments with protection. Suppliers and producers of safety equipment can offer advice on gloves and apparel materials that are the most protective for the operation.

• Before starting work, all protective gear (suits, gloves, shoes, and headgear) should be available, cleaned, and put on daily.

Eye Protection:

• Indirect-vent, impact, and splash-resistant goggles must be used when working with liquids.

• Face protection and goggles must be worn when working with hazardous, highly irritating, or corrosive substances.

Respiratory Protection:

It is dangerous to misuse respirators. Therefore, such equipment could be employed only if the employer has a written program that considers industrial conditions, worker training requirements, respirator fit testing, and medical examinations.

• A complete facepiece respirator with an organic vapor cartridge must be used if there is a chance of more than four ppm exposure. Full-facepiece-powered air purifying respirators provide more protection.

• The worker should leave the area right once if he can smell, taste, or otherwise detect vinyl acetate while wearing a filter or cartridge respirator if wearing particulate filters causes excessive breathing resistance, or if wearing a complete facepiece respirator causes eye irritation.

• It must be ensured that the face-to-respirator seal is still effective, and the filter or cartridge may be replaced if necessary.

• If the seal has broken, the worker may need a new respirator.

• To defend against various chemical forms (such as vapor and mist) or a combination of chemicals, the workers need a combination of filters, prefilters, or cartridges.

• A supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece must be used when there is a high exposure risk, and it must be ensured it is set to pressure demand or another positive pressure mode. It can be used in conjunction with an additional self-contained breathing apparatus running in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode for extra protection.

Conclusion

Polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol are generally made using vinyl acetate as a monomer. Eye, nose, and throat irritation could result from prolonged exposure to ethyl acetate. Extreme overexposure may result in sluggishness, unconsciousness, and weakness. Certain workplace controls must be followed and personal protective equipment must be used by the workers to prevent vinyl acetate toxicity.