Analytical method for dust from silicon carbide plants

Abstract

Although clinical studies have revealed the presence of respiratory system disorders in workers employed in silicon carbide plants, the absence of adequate analytical methods has precluded the identification of specific causal agents.

This project was therefore undertaken to develop a suitable analytical method, and proceeded in three phases: laboratory development of the analytical technique; field sampling; and detailed compositional analysis of the dust samples. By adapting existing methods, precisions of 10-15% were achieved in measurements of airborne concentrations of quartz, cristabolite, and mixtures of these dusts and high levels of graphite. Preliminary analysis of respirable dust collected in the workplace revealed the presence of silicon carbide fibres. Although the toxicity of these fibres is unknown, their geometry is similar to that of other fibrogenic mineral fibres. Further analysis demonstrated the presence of clumps of silica on the surface of the silicon carbide fibres.

The analytical protocol developed in this project is currently used to monitor worker exposure. Further research concerning the pulmonary toxicity of the silicon carbide fibres identified here is in progress at the Université de Sherbrooke.

Produced Under this Project

Scientific Reports

Analysis of ambient dusts in silicon carbide plants Research Summary: PR-049

Scientific Publications

Evaluation of occupational exposure to mixed dusts and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in silicon carbide plants
Dufresne A., Lesage J., Perrault G.
Source :
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, vol. 48, no 2, 1987, p. 160-166
Morphology and surface characteristics of particulates from silicon carbide industries
Dufresne A., Perrault G., Sébastien P., Adnot A., Baril M.
Source :
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, vol. 48, no 8, 1987, p. 718-729
Caractérisation des poussières des usines de carbure de silicium
Perrault G., Dufresne A., Sébastien P., Adnot A., Baril M.
Source :
in Colloques de l'Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), vol. 155, 1987, p. 301-308
Durability of ceramic fibers in the human lung - Preliminary results
Sébastien P., Vergnon J.-M., Blanchard O., Wastiaux A., Emonot A.
Source :
The Annals of Occupational Hygiene, vol. 38, suppl. 1, 1994, p. 723-730
Pulmonary retention of ceramic fibres in silicon carbide (SiC) workers
Dufresne A., Loosereewanich P., Armstrong B., Infante-Rivard C., Perrault G., Dion C., Massé S., Bégin R.
Source :
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, vol. 56, no 5, 1995, p. 490-498
Silicon carbide pneumoconiosis - a radiographic assessment
Durand P., Bégin R., Samson L., Cantin A., Massé S., Dufresne A., Perrault G., Laflamme J.
Source :
American Journal of Industrial Medecine, vol. 20, no 1, 1991, p. 37-47
Évaluation de la concentration de fibres minérales artificielles et naturelles et de fibres organiques dans l’air ambiant
Chamberland G., McCabe J., Dion C.
Source :
in Congrès de l'Association pour l'hygiène industrielle au Québec / AHIQ (16e : 4-6 mai, 1994 : Québec, Canada), 1994, p. 276
Caractérisation des fibres minérales artificielles
McCabe J., Dion C., Perrault G.
Source :
in XIIe congrès de l'Association pour l'hygiène industrielle du Québec / AHIQ, (12e : 3-4 mai, 1990 : Hull, Canada), 1990
L’analyse du quartz dans les poussières
Dion C.
Source :
in L'hygiène industrielle: vers une intégraion des disciplines : 10e congrès de l'Association pour l'hygiène industrielle au Québec / AHIQ, (10e : 1-3 juin, 1988 : Montréal, Canada), 1988, p. 13
La silice cristalline et les poussières minérales
Dion C.
Source :
in Colloque de l’Association québécoise de l’industrie de la peinture / AQIP (15 novembre, 1999), 1999
Échantillonnage et analyse de fibres artificielles dans des chantiers de construction
Dion C., Perrault G., Cloutier Y.
Source :
in 23e congrès international de la médecine du travail, (23e : 22-28 septembre, 1990 : Montréal, Canada), 1990, p. 128
Assessment of exposure to quartz, cristobalite and silicon carbide fibres (whiskers) in a silicon carbide plant
Dion C., Dufresne A., Jacob M., Perrault G.
Source :
Annals of Occupational Hygiene, vol. 49, no 4, 2005, p. 335-343

Additional Information

Type: Project

Number: 0085-0390

Status: Completed

Year of completion: 1988

Research Field: Chemical and Biological Hazard Prevention

Team:

André Dufresne (IRSST)
Guy Perrault (IRSST)