IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

Documentation of Industrial Procedures and Exploratory Development of an Approach for Evaluating Amines in the Workplace

Abstract

In Québec, various industrial processes use primary and secondary amines, which are found in paints, plastics and adhesives. Furthermore, more than 40 amines are subject to a Québec standard due to their toxicological properties, which can cause respiratory problems, eye and skin irritation, and even cancer. However, existing methods of evaluation are not sufficiently sensitive for the precise measurement of concentrations lower than those recommended in the Québec standards, and the sampling systems are very complicated to use. Scientists wanted to document the main industrial processes using amines and to create a unique method for workplace sampling for all of these compounds mentioned in the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety and to analyze them in the laboratory. The major amine utilization categories were established and the feasibility of an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of three of these substances representing different chemical families has been demonstrated, which could not be achieved by any other existing method.

Additional Information

Type: Project
Number: 0097-1200
Status: Completed
Year of completion: 2003
Team:
  • Huu Van Tra (Université du Québec à Montréal )
  • Jacques Lesage (IRSST)
  • Claude Ostiguy (IRSST)