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>Anyone have any input on this?
>
>Bob Favorite RVT
>UC Davis VMD 490 Instructor
>UCDavis SCUBA safety diver
>
>>>Date: Wed, 19 Jun 1996 12:42:34 -0700 (PDT)
>>>Message-Id: <199606191942.MAA11050@wh*.wh*.co*>
>>>Mime-Version: 1.0
>>>To: occ-env-med-l@li*.mc*.du*.ed*
>>>From: monroe@wh*.co* (Monroe Toxicology)
>>>Subject: OEM: Sodium hydroxide exposures
>>>Sender: owner-occ-env-med-l@li*.mc*.du*.ed*
>>>Precedence: bulk
>>>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>Content-Length: 750
>>>
>>>A question has been posed concerning the potential health effects on scuba
>>>divers entering a vessel containing a dilute sodium hydroxide solution in
>>>seawater. The concentration of the NaOH in the seawater is between 0.2%
>>>and 0.3% and the pH is 10.6 (strongly buffered by the seawater). Dermal
>>>exposures could be for as long as 1 to 2 hours. There is also a high
>>>potential for eye contact and ingestion.
>>>
>>>Eye contact is my primary concern. Is anyone familiar with studies on the
>>>irritant/corrosive effects of dilute sodium hydroxide solutions on the eye?
>>> Any thoughts as to the importance of the solution being buffered at pH
>>>10.6 by the components of seawater?
>>>
>>>
>>>David H. Monroe, M.S.P.H., Ph.D.
>>>Toxicologist
>>>
>>>(360)321-0595
>>>monroe@wh*.co*
>
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"Anyone have any input on this?"
Yes - and you're not going to like it.
Using wetsuit and conventional scuba gear to do this is stupidity. It does
not offer proper protection. Who would expose themselves or someone else to
a comparable risk in the dry environment w/o adequate protection?
Put the diver into a Viking or Nokia HD w/ cuffs & dry gloves and a hat *w/
dual inline exhaust valve* (DESCO, Miller, Superlite, etc.) and her risk
from exposure to skin, eye, or through ingestion will be virtually zero.
Decon w/ fresh water on leaving the vessel (using proper environmental
safeguards!). A vulcanized dry suit w/ hood and AGA mask is a (poor) second
choice IMNSHO. The tenders should wear PCs and face shields.
Some other issues:
This appears to be a safety in the underwater workplace issue. Is it? If
so, OSHA/USCG regs apply (if this is in the US). The divers must have
documented training trough a commercial diving program and maintain log
books to prove it.
They may need haz/mat and definitely need confined space entry
certification. Consult an industrial hygenist/ occupational safety/ hazmat
specialist.
The contractor(US) must carry Workman's Comp, Jones Act or LSHWA coverage.
What role do environmental regs play? Consult an environmental engineer.
Is the owner of this stuff meeting his legal requirements for
transporting/handling/ storing haz/mat? Or is he doing work "on the cheap"?
If he's bending the rules...
It sounds to me that someone has a tank of this stuff and has to have work
done inside. They called a commercial diving contractor and balked at the
high price quoted to do a "one hour job". They have a friend who's mailman
knows a guy who's "a certified instructor" or "a diver for the police
department" or "one of those technical divers" who would love to make a
quick $100 or $200 bucks to make a dive.
"All ya gotta do..."
My $.02
Doug Wisner
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