Exposure to Osmium Tetroxide
Below is a summary of an incident that occurred here at the University.
Please share with your departments.
EHS received a call concerning a chemical hood problem at one
of
our facilities. Osmium tetroxide was being used in a chemical fume hood
and reportedly one of the researchers was feeling the effects of an
exposure. The researcher left the lab and returned a short time later
after the symptoms diminished. Upon his return he again felt symptomatic,
closed the fume hood and left the lab. At this time facilities maintenance
was contacted to check the performance of the chemical fume hood, however
the osmium tetroxide had not yet been removed. Fortunately our Facilities
Maintenance personnel as well as the researcher were not injured.
It is important to remember that if there is ever a question concerning
your engineering controls, (i.e. chemical fume hood, walk-in fume hood,
and paint spray booths), the environment must be cleared of recognizable
hazards before Facilities is contacted for maintenance. This is achievable
either by contacting the departmental safety representative or someone
from our office.
Additionally, if there is a question concerning the possibility of an
exposure please initiate the basic emergency procedures. This should
include evacuating and closing off the area, immediately seeking medical
attention and contacting the departmental Chemical Hygiene Officer or our
office to initiate an investigation. An exposure evaluation will be
conducted for all employees who, as a consequence of a laboratory
operation, procedure, or activity, reasonably suspect or believe they have
sustained an overexposure to a toxic substance. Attached below is a link
to our University's Chemical Hygiene Plan for more information.
University
of Delaware Chemical Hygiene Plan Exposure Evaluations.
Please also review the University
Emergency Response Policy 7-06 for
information.
This incident emphasizes why it is important to review the material
safety
data sheets prior to working with chemicals. Osmium tetroxide is extremely
hazardous via inhalation and has an exposure limit of 0.0002 parts per
million (ppm). It is also extremely volatile with a vapor pressure
comparable to xylene (though xylene's exposure limit of 100 ppm is much
higher).