Science & Technology
Science and Technology
Science and Technology
Wed, June 30, 2010
Tue, June 29, 2010 RAE Systems Posts Educational Resource for Gulf of Mexico Spill Recovery Workers
SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwire - June 29, 2010) - RAE Systems Inc. (
Launched on June 21, 2010, the website includes tools, references and phone numbers to assist in the following areas:
- [ Protecting cleanup workers from exposure to toxic oil by-products ]
- [ Monitoring decontamination of wildlife ]
- [ Monitoring decontamination of people and equipment ]
- [ Maintaining worker safety on off-shore oil rigs ]
- [ Managing area monitoring on vessels ]
- [ Providing worker safety on supply ships ]
- [ Area monitoring of the shoreline ]
Robert Chen, RAE Systems' president and CEO, said, "Like everyone, we are concerned about the effects of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. As experts in worker safety hazardous material detection and monitoring, our team has compiled useful resources to prepare and protect people, wildlife and property impacted by the disaster. We are hopeful proactive education will help mitigate injury, and we have established a hotline to address questions people may have [408-952-8200 Ext. 8]. The website includes links to U.S. Government resources, and we have created a list of the most commonly monitored compounds found in the Gulf cleanup operation." This vital resource can be found at [ http://www.raesystems.com/~raedocs/gulf_monitoring.htm ].
The more than 20,000 workers assisting in the oil spill cleanup, as well as those deployed on offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, and area workers should be aware of the hazards from exposure to toxic VOCs, whether the potential toxins emanate from their own operations or from spilled oil and oil dispersants.
The mix of VOCs in the oil changes as it disperses from the source of the spill to the shore. Along the way, some volatile compounds, including benzene, are broken down by sun and seawater. When the oil reaches the shore, it still contains some VOCs that should be monitored. According to the Centers for Disease Control, VOCs at the shore can include toxics and carcinogens such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and naphthalene, in varying concentrations and combinations. In addition, hydrogen sulfide is also likely to be present and should be monitored. Some workers have already reported severe headaches, dizziness, nausea and difficulty breathing, which can be associated with coming into contact with spilled oil and oil dispersants. Below are some of the potential exposure scenarios that should be considered for active VOC monitoring:
[ Protecting Cleanup Workers from Exposure to Toxic Oil By-products ]
Vessels towing or placing containment, skimming, and sorbent booms, as well as those operating in contaminated ocean areas, can inadvertently lead to exposure of onboard workers to hazardous VOCs. VOC levels in these situations can easily exceed permissible exposure levels (PEL) established by OSHA and followed by other U.S. government agencies. These chemicals can affect the respiratory system, central nervous system, kidneys, and liver. Wherever oil is being burned off, high concentrations of benzene may be present. As these chemicals evaporate and become airborne, they pose their greatest threat to human health. Accordingly, VOCs and related chemicals in these environments should be monitored to ensure worker safety.
[ Monitoring Decontamination of Wildlife ]
Seagoing and marsh-dwelling birds, such as gulls, pelicans and egrets, as well as turtles and other aquatic creatures, are being found along coastal regions soaked in oil. Cleaning them requires the use of oil dispersants, such as dishwashing detergent, and a lot of patience. During the time-consuming process of cleaning these animals, workers also are exposed to the toxic substances. In addition, dishwashing liquids typically contain ethanol, which is also a VOC. As a result, workers and the animals must be rinsed clean of both the oil and dishwashing liquid to ensure no VOCs remain.
[ Monitoring Decontamination of People and Equipment ]
Each day in the Gulf of Mexico, thousands of workers skim oil and move booms along the shore to either prevent oil from reaching beaches and marshes or to remove it once it is ashore. While protective outerwear keeps the oil off of the workers' skin, it must be disposed of along with booms and other gear employed. Equipment that is not disposable, including rakes, shovels, and other tools, must be thoroughly cleaned, and during that process VOCs can be released. To minimize exposure risk, there should be monitoring during cleaning. In addition, the containers' oil and other captured contaminants should be monitored until they are relocated and processed.
[ Maintaining Worker Safety on Off-shore Oil and Gas Rigs ]
The oil and natural gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico are populated by more than 10,000 workers. They must be protected from hazardous exposures to toxic VOCs, whether emanating from their own operations or from spilled oil and oil dispersants drifting with the currents and passing nearby their operating platforms. Adding to potential hazard are controlled burns of oil on the surface, which produce clouds of particulate matter and contain VOCs such as benzene, as well as elevated levels of carbon monoxide.
[ Managing Area Monitoring on Vessels ]
For ships deployed to monitor large open areas of ocean for air contamination resulting from the oil spill, a connected and wireless gas detection system can be employed to continuously monitor for VOC exposure levels. Deployed on multiple shipboard locations, these wireless gas monitors can detect for atmospheric contamination from the deck of a moving vessel from the detectors' sensors. Data can be relayed wirelessly to a central collection point, and results can be compared and tracked from other ships over extended periods of time. Also, toxic VOCs can accumulate below deck, adding to the ever-present hazards of oxygen deficiency and explosive or flammable atmospheres.
[ Providing Worker Safety on Supply Ships ]
Not everyone on ships in the Gulf of Mexico is involved in oil production or remediating the oil spill, but they must pass through the contaminated zone nonetheless for deliveries and crew transfers/replacements. Ships carrying supplies to offshore oil workers and to those involved in cleanup operations run the risk of passing near or through areas where exposure levels of dangerous VOCs are high.
[ Area Monitoring of the Shoreline ]
The mix of VOCs in the oil changes as it disperses from the source of the spill to the shore. Along the way, benzene and some other volatiles are broken down by sun and seawater. By the time oil reaches the shore, it still contains some VOCs that should be monitored. According to the Centers for Disease Control, VOCs at the shore can include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and naphthalene, in varying concentrations and combinations. Some workers have reported severe headaches, dizziness, nausea and difficulty breathing, which can be associated with coming into contact with spilled oil and oil dispersants.
For more information on RAE Systems and its products' applications in monitoring Gulf of Mexico operations, please visit [ www.raesystems.com ].
About RAE Systems
RAE Systems is a leading global provider of rapidly deployable connected, intelligent gas detection systems that enable real-time safety and security threat detection. RAE Systems products are used in more than 95 countries by many of the world's leading corporations and government agencies.
RAE Systems offers a full line of wirelessly enabled solutions including [ personal ], [ hand-held ], [ transportable ], and [ fixed instruments ] designed to meet the needs of any usage scenario. Applications include energy production, refining, industrial and environmental safety, public venue safety and government first responder markets.
For more information about RAE Systems, please visit [ raesystems.com ].
