Manufacturing procedures used by specialty chemical firms can raise a number of health and safety concerns. Hydrazoic acid (HN3) is a colorless, unstable, explosive, and highly effective reducing agent. It is also poisonous. Operators' overexposure to HN3 can cause hypotension, headaches, ocular, nasal, and pulmonary irritation.
Due to its extreme toxicity, areas surrounding HN3 processes must be continuously monitored. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require that HN3 concentrations in ambient air be less than 5 ppm for a 1-hour exposure period and less than 0.1 ppm for an 8-hour period.
Hydrazoic acid molecular structure. Image Credit: ABB
This article outlines how Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) can detect HN3 concentrations in the air in real-time, ensuring personnel safety.
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This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by ABB.
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