Research On Toxic Hazards Of Pentaborane
Report Number: AMRL TDR 62-109
Author(s): Roush, George, Jr., Kent, Bartis M., Volz, Herbert A.
Corporate Author(s): Callery Chemical Co PA
Laboratory: Biomedical Laboratory
Date of Publication: 1962-09
Pages: 43
Contract: AF 33(616)-7728
DoD Project: 6302
DoD Task: 630205
Identifier: AD0289889
Abstract:
At a plant producing pentaborane, sixty workers were potentially exposed to the boranes. The purpose of this investigation was to measure these workers' exposure with the Blood Borane Test of Miller, to measure the contamination of the workers' environment, and to relate the data to observed biologic effects in the workers. The atmospheric monitoring revealed that the work area was usually not contaminated. Thirty-one cases of possible borane poisoning were seen. The Blood Borane Test was negative in each of these cases but these results may be due to the mild nature of the poisonings. The lung, liver, and kidney studies used revealed no abnormalities in these cases. A clinical evaluation on all of the exposed workers at the end of a year's production revealed no observable effects. The protective gear worn provided good, though not complete, protection. Further study of the hazards of the boranes will require a monitoring instrument of wider range of sensitivity to evaluate the acute poisonings and the protective gear worn.
Provenance: Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
Author(s): Roush, George, Jr., Kent, Bartis M., Volz, Herbert A.
Corporate Author(s): Callery Chemical Co PA
Laboratory: Biomedical Laboratory
Date of Publication: 1962-09
Pages: 43
Contract: AF 33(616)-7728
DoD Project: 6302
DoD Task: 630205
Identifier: AD0289889
Abstract:
At a plant producing pentaborane, sixty workers were potentially exposed to the boranes. The purpose of this investigation was to measure these workers' exposure with the Blood Borane Test of Miller, to measure the contamination of the workers' environment, and to relate the data to observed biologic effects in the workers. The atmospheric monitoring revealed that the work area was usually not contaminated. Thirty-one cases of possible borane poisoning were seen. The Blood Borane Test was negative in each of these cases but these results may be due to the mild nature of the poisonings. The lung, liver, and kidney studies used revealed no abnormalities in these cases. A clinical evaluation on all of the exposed workers at the end of a year's production revealed no observable effects. The protective gear worn provided good, though not complete, protection. Further study of the hazards of the boranes will require a monitoring instrument of wider range of sensitivity to evaluate the acute poisonings and the protective gear worn.
Provenance: Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control