Low odor does not mean low hazard - mastic removers in asbestos abatement

So, I recently completed a cursory review of several different low-odor mastic or adhesive removers that were proposed for use in an asbestos abatement project.

Like many safety professionals, I always specify "low odor" or "no odor" chemicals to be used, but I had not previously encountered the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for most of the mastic removers that were proposed by the contractor. I'd heard anecdotal evidence that the soy-based mastic removers were less effective for asbestos abatement, but understood they were intended to be an environmentally-friendly option.

I was not surprised to find that most of the SDS were wholly unhelpful in assessing the hazards associated with the chemicals. Many of them were one page, in tiny font, and had not been converted to the new Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals - Safety Data Sheet required format yet.

Based on the lack of information, I threw together a table for each proposed chemical to evaluate them and did some preliminary research on the hazards of each mastic remover. 

The following mastic removers were evaluated:

• AMR 100 Mastic Remover
• Neugenic 4175 Mastic Remover
• Sentinel 770 Odorless Degreaser and Adhesive Remover
• Sentinel 909 Soybean-Based Mastic Remover and Degreaser
• Sentinel 805 Envirowash
• Chem-Safe� Clear 57770 No Odor Mastic Remover
• Chem-Safe� 310-C Soy-Based Mastic Remover
• Concentrate Division � Natural FR Concentrate (Olyolefin Compounds) � SDS not widely available on the internet

This evaluation is provided below and should not be construed to be "official" occupational or environmental health guidance; readers are encouraged to do their own assessment and research to evaluate the hazards associated with these chemicals. Hopefully other safety and health professionals may find this useful in conducting asbestos project design activities when deciding which mastic remover should be used at an owner's site.

Also keep in mind that the hazard statements and precautionary statements were adapted from the manufacturer's existing language on the SDS. Too little data was present on the percent (%) of each chemical present to conduct a full Hazard Communication Standard Assessment and verify the needed pictograms or hazard classification. 

Product Name	GHS Classification	Pictograms	Hazard Statements	Precautionary Statements	Ingredients	Health Effects
AMR 100 Mastic Remover	Flammable liquid, Category 4 Acute Toxicity: Oral, Category 4 Acute Toxicity: Inhalation, Category 4 Acute Toxicity: Dermal, Category 4 Skin irritation, Category 2 Eye irritation, Category 2A Aspiration hazard, Category 1 STOT, Category 3 (narcotic effects) Chronic hazards to the aquatic environment, Category 2	Environment Health Hazard Exclamation Mark	H315 � Causes skin irritation. H304 � May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. H336 � May cause drowsiness or dizziness. H411 � Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. H227 � Combustible liquid. H302 � Harmful if swallowed. H312 � Harmful in contact with skin. H332: Harmful if inhaled. H319 � Causes serious eye irritation.	P210 � Keep away from flames and hot surfaces. No smoking. P280 � Wear protective gloves/eye protection/face protection. P403 � Store in a well-ventilated place. P235 � Keep cool. P264 � Wash skin thoroughly after handling. P362 � Take of contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. P261 � Avoid breathing gas/mist/vapor/spray. P271 � Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated place. P233 � Keep container tightly closed.	64742-47-8 Petroleum Distillates, Hydrotreated Light (low odor paraffinic solvent / deodorized kerosene) ________ 111-76-2 2-butoxyethanol	Inhalation: Dizziness, Headache, Drowsiness, Nausea, Unconsciousness.  Skin: Dryness. Eyes: Redness. Ingestion: Cough, Diarrhea, Sore Throat, Vomiting. The vapor is seriously irritating to the eyes. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system. Exposure to high concentration of vapors may result in unconsciousness. Swallowing the liquid may cause aspiration/chemical pneumonitis.
Neugenic 4175 Mastic Remover	Flammable liquid, Category 4 Eye irritation, Category 2A STOT, Category 3 (narcotic effects) Aspiration hazard, Category 1	Exclamation Mark	H227 � Combustible liquid. H319 � Causes serious eye irritation. H336 � May cause drowsiness or dizziness. H304 � May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.	P210 � Keep away from flames and hot surfaces. No smoking. P264 - Wash skin thoroughly after handling. P280 - Wear protective gloves/ eye protection/ face protection. P261 � Avoid breathing gas/mist/vapor/spray. P271 � Use only in a well-ventilated area/outdoors.	69430-33-7 Aliphatic hydrocarbon blend ________ 112-34-5 Diethylene glycol butyl ether	Inhalation: Dizziness, Headache, Drowsiness, Nausea, Unconsciousness.  Skin: Dryness. Eyes: Redness. Ingestion: Cough, Diarrhea, Sore Throat, Vomiting. Do not induce vomiting. May cause aspiration pneumonia. CNS depressant.
Sentinel 770 Odorless Degreaser & Adhesive Remover	Flammable liquid, Category 4 Eye irritation, Category 2B Skin irritation, Category 3 STOT, Category 3 (narcotic effects) Aspiration hazard, Category 1	Exclamation Mark	H227 � Combustible liquid. H316 � Causes mild skin irritation. H320 � Causes eye irritation. H336 � May cause drowsiness or dizziness. H304 � May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.	P261 � Avoid breathing gas/mist/vapor/spray. P271 � Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated place. P210 � Keep away from flames and hot surfaces. No smoking. P280 - Wear protective gloves/ eye protection/ face protection. P264 � Wash skin thoroughly after handling.	69430-33-7 Aliphatic hydrocarbon blend	Causes eye irritation, may cause skin irritation with prolonged skin contact. Irritation of ENT and signs of CNS depression. May experience additional breathing difficulties if impaired lung function, due to irritant properties of chemical. Do not induce vomiting, may cause aspiration pneumonia.
Sentinel 909 Soybean-Based Mastic Remover	Eye irritation, Category 2B Skin irritation, Category 3	N/A	H316 � Causes mild skin irritation. H320 � Causes eye irritation. H304 � May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.	P261 � Avoid breathing gas/mist/vapor/spray. P271 � Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated place. P280 - Wear protective gloves/ eye protection/ face protection. P264 � Wash skin thoroughly after handling.	Emulsified methyl esters (no hazardous ingredients with CAS#)	Causes eye irritation, may cause skin irritation with prolonged skin contact. Irritation of ENT and signs of CNS depression. May experience additional breathing difficulties if impaired lung function, due to irritant properties of chemical. Do not induce vomiting.
Sentinel 805 Envirowash (used after 909 to clean surfaces)	Eye irritation, Category 2B Skin irritation, Category 3	N/A	H316 � Causes mild skin irritation. H320 � Causes eye irritation.	P261 � Avoid breathing gas/mist/vapor/spray. P264 � Wash skin thoroughly after handling. P280 - Wear protective gloves/ eye protection/ face protection.	10101-89-0 Trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate (1.2%)	Causes eye irritation, may cause skin irritation with prolonged skin contact. Irritation of ENT and headaches. May experience additional breathing difficulties if impaired lung function, due to irritant properties of chemical. Do not induce vomiting.
Chem-Safe� Clear 57770 No Odor Mastic Remover	Eye irritation, Category 2B Skin irritation, Category 3 Aspiration hazard, Category 1	Exclamation Mark	H315 � Causes skin irritation. H304 � May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. H320 � Causes eye irritation.	P261 � Avoid breathing gas/mist/vapor/spray. P264 � Wash skin thoroughly after handling. P280 - Wear protective gloves/ eye protection/ face protection.	64742-47-8 Petroleum Distillates, Hydrotreated Light (low odor paraffinic solvent / deodorized kerosene) ________ 112-34-5 Diethylene glycol butyl ether	Causes eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Do not induce vomiting, may cause aspiration pneumonia. Primary symptoms = headache, dizziness, and nausea.
Chem-Safe� 310-C Soy-Based Mastic Remover	Eye irritation, Category 2B Skin irritation, Category 3	N/A	H316 � Causes mild skin irritation. H320 � Causes eye irritation.	P261 � Avoid breathing gas/mist/vapor/spray. P264 � Wash skin thoroughly after handling. P280 - Wear protective gloves/ eye protection/ face protection.	112-34-5 Diethylene glycol butyl ether (5-12%) ________ Soy-based nonhazardous component	Causes eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Do not induce vomiting. Primary symptoms = headache and dizziness.
Concentrate Dvision Natural FR Concentrate	Eye irritation, Category 2B Skin irritation, Category 3	N/A	H316 � Causes mild skin irritation. H320 � Causes eye irritation.	P261 � Avoid breathing gas/mist/vapor/spray. P264 � Wash skin thoroughly after handling. P280 - Wear protective gloves/ eye protection/ face protection.	None listed as hazardous	May cause mechanical skin irritation (pellets) and eye irritation if dust from pellets gets in eyes.

Emergency Response Video Training from Yavapai College (Prescott, AZ)

This is the emergency response training video from my local community college system, Yavapai College (YC) in Yavapai County, Arizona. It's a helpful overview to provide guidance to YC students, staff and visitors. This video describes their steps of action in the event of an evacuation, shelter-in-place, or lock-down based on best practices and the college's emergency action plan (EAP). The Emergency Management Department at YC also provides mobile alerts for students and staff as shown in the video.

How to Lose Weight? Get a Dog!

Howdy Loyal Readers - this week's focus for National Safety Month is "Employee Wellness."

Since moving to Prescott (and not commuting 45 minutes - 1 hour each way to the office), I've found I have much more free time. As promised to Mighty Spouse, I began exercising more frequently. We go to the gym (Snap Fitness 24-7) together at least twice a week and I have been using our StairMaster of Death at least twice a week. We have other, less-PC* terms for the StairMaster, but I won't share them in polite company. 

(* politically correct)

Meet my exercise partner:

Shadow the Arizona-Alaskan Malamute

This is Shadow. He's been featured before on the blog, but he is my constant workout partner.

Shadow's Rules for his Humans:

1.) We MUST got for at least one walk (40 minute minimum) per day.

2.) If we don't go on at least one walk, I will punish you.

3.) If you are doing yoga, I will push you off the mat and show you how it is supposed to be done. My downward-facing dog is excellent.

4.) If you have just come back from exercising at the gym, I will lick all the excess sweat off your face and arms, in efforts to assist you in being clean again.

5.) If you do not take me on my walk, I will make sure to bark/howl/cry/scratch the living daylights out of you at the most inopportune moment until you give me a cookie (or two).

6.) When you use the StairMaster of Death, please make sure I am asleep or in another room, it freaks me out to see you walking above the ground but not going anywhere.

7.) You never sleep enough. You should alternate periods of high activity (i.e. chasing tails and sprinting around the house) with long naps. 

So I guess, in a way, I am doing my part to stay active, thanks to my dog.

That's The Industrious Hygienist's secret to weight loss: get a dog. And be a good pet owner, don't just leave them in the backyard to go stark raving mad from boredom. I mean, if you were forced to be in the same place, every day, with nothing you really want to be doing, and forced to obey all the silly rules of whomever, you would start being destructive too. Wait, I think I just summarized the majority of my adult life as a "productive member of society." Dangit. 

So what is The Industrious Hygienist doing for week #2 of National Safety Month? I'll be sitting in a chair in a classroom most of the week, in OSHA 501 class at the Arizona Safety Education Center. BUT...after class? The place I am staying has a pool. :)

I'm tracking my physical activity for the next few weeks as part of National Safety Month. Apparently there's a Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA+) that the National Safety Council is mentioning as a low-cost employee wellness emphasis program. The "+" is there because it's not just about getting active, it's about eating well too. 

For adults, the goals of PALA+ are:

1.) Physical Activity, 30 minutes a day, for 5 days a week, for 6 out of 8 weeks. 

2.) Achieving a healthy eating goal each week (i.e. more fruits and veggies, choose lean cuts of meat, choose low-fat or low sodium options, drink more water, etc.). 

If you finish the PALA+ challenge, you can get this lovely, fill-in-able certificate:

Why care about wellness? Well, it's your life, don't you want to feel good? Why care about employee wellness? Unhealthy and/or obese employees can be expensive on the indirect expenses side of a business. 

Examples of employee wellness programs that are currently in use include: tobacco cessation programs, obesity management and nutrition counseling, online health assessments and other maintenance-style programs that put the onus on the employee.

More on Wednesday and Friday of this week: eating more veggies (i.e. the tale of my 5 months of being vegetarian) and eating less sodium. 

How to Use Stormwater in Green Infrastructure

This is a *late* shout-out to one of my alma maters, the University of Arizona (U of A) in Tucson.

Congratulations to Rayka Robrecht and Micaela Machado, both landscape architecture graduate students at U of A - they designed one of the winning stormwater harvesting systems in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Campus RainWorks Challenge. They achieved second place for large institutions in the nationwide competition.

The system, shown in the image below, was designed to re-use stormwater, roof drain water from surrounding building roofs, and air-conditioning condensate water.
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The second-place-winning design from U of A for large institutions in the USEPA Campus RainWorks challenge.

Stormwater collected in this green infrastructure design is collected in underground cisterns. The spiral shape is supposed to evoke an agave, petroglyphs, or the monsoon storm patterns in Tucson. The water is funneled to the center of the basin. The designers anticipate that the design, if implemented, could save U of A almost 2 millions gallons of water each year.

The spiffiest feature is at the center of the design - a view window that shows the collected water in the cisterns or chambers. If U of A really decides to modify the existing parking lot into green infrastructure like what was proposed by the designers in the Campus RainWorks Challenge, it would be a very pleasant place for students and faculty/staff to enjoy the tactile benefits of sustainability.

According to the USEPA Press Release:
"The University of Arizona team�s design plan centers on the redevelopment of a 70,000-square-foot parking lot located within a cluster of academic buildings. The design will replace the parking lot with a campus common area featuring two rings of retention basins to infiltrate stormwater runoff, five underground cisterns to harvest runoff and HVAC condensate from the adjacent buildings, and a translucent shade structure with an ephemeral water feature. Water collected in the underground cisterns is used to irrigate the landscape, reducing potable water use from 700,000 to 90,000 gallons/year."
More images of their project design posters:

The Industrious Hygienist is a HUGE fan of practical methods of implementing sustainability. Well done, Rayka, Micaela, and faculty advisor Ron Stoltz.