| Description | Asphalt fumes are flammable when hot andmay contain hydrogen sulfide and human carcinogen, suchas benzo(a)pyrene and dibenz(a,h)anthracene. Fumes generated during the production or application of asphalt (a darkbrown to black cement-like substance manufactured by thevacuum distillation of crude petroleum oil). Molecularweight= variable 1000°2600; Boiling point= .300℃;Freezing/Melting point= 55°175℃; Flash point#10°225℃ (as a general rule, the more liquid the type ofasphalt, the lower the flashpoint; cutback ,10℃; typicalasphalt 225℃); Autoignition 5 .400℃. HazardIdentification (based on NFPA-704 M Rating System) (typical asphalt): Health 0, Flammability 1, Reactivity 0.However, asphalt cutback has a flammability rating of 3.Insoluble in water. Hazard Identification (based on NFPA-704 M Rating System): roofer’s flux and straight run residue: Health 0, Flammability 1, Reactivity 0.Asphalt fumes have been defined by NIOSH as the nimboseeffusion of small, solid particles created by condensationfrom the vapor state after volatilization of asphalt. In addition to particles, a cloud of fume may contain materials stillin the vapor state. The major constituent groups of asphaltare asphaltenes, resins, and oils made up of saturated andunsaturated hydrocarbons. The asphaltenes have molecularweights in the range of 1000°2600, those of the resins fallin the range of 370°500, and those of the oils is in the rangeof 290°630. Asphalt has often been confused with tarbecause the two are similar in appearance and have sometimes been used interchangeably as construction materials.Tars are, however, produced by destructive distillation ofcoal, oil or wood, whereas asphalt is a residue from fractional distillation or crude oil. The amounts of benzo(a)pyrene found in fumes collected from two different plantsthat prepared hot mix asphalt ranged from 3 to 22 ng/m3;this is approximately 0.03% of the amount in coke ovenemissions and 0.01% of that emitted from coal-burninghome furnaces. |
| Chemical Properties | Asphalt fumes are flammable when hot andmay contain hydrogen sulfide and human carcinogen, suchas benzo(a)pyrene and dibenz(a,h)anthracene. Fumes generatedduring the production or application of asphalt (adark-brown to black cement-like substance manufacturedby the vacuum distillation of crude petroleum oil). |
| Uses | Asphalt fumes arise fromasphalt used for road construction, roofing, andcoating of construction materials and in associationwith the production of asphalt frompetroleum; in asphalt-based paints |
| Uses | Acid, alkali, and waterproof coatings; blackvarnishes, lacquers, baking enamels, and japans;wire-insulation compounds; linoleum and floor tile;paving; insulation; diluent in low-grade rubbercompounds; possible source of gasoline, fuel oil,and metallurgical coke. |
| Definition | An asphaltic material or solidifiedhydrocarbon found only in Utah and Colorado. Oneof the purest (9.9%) natural bitumens. Said to be thefirst solid hydrocarbon to be converted to gasoline. |
| Definition | Amixture of solid or semisolid hydrocarbonsobtained from coal, oil, etc. |
| General Description | Dark liquid. A mixture of heavy hydrocarbon residues including saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons (Reactive Groups 16, 28, and 29). Depending on the blend includes various heterocyclic hydrocarbons containing sulfur and nitrogen. |
| Air & Water Reactions | Insoluble in water. |
| Reactivity Profile | ASPHALT burns readily when heated or ignited in the presence of air or oxygen. May be incompatible with strong oxidizing agents like nitric acid. Charring may occur followed by ignition. Mostly unreactive in other settings. Not affected by aqueous solutions of acids, alkalis, most oxidizing agents, and most reducing agents. |
| Hazard | Irritant, skin sensitizer. |
| Health Hazard | Acute exposure to asphalt fumescauses irritative effects. Certain extracts ofasphalt have caused a carcinogenic skinresponse in experimental animals.
The chemical composition of vapors andfumes from asphalt products is variable anddepends on the crude petroleum source, typeof asphalt, temperature, and extent of mixing.1Therefore, the adverse effects from asphaltmay also vary considerably depending on thesource of exposure. |
| Fire Hazard | Flash point data for ASPHALTUM are not available; however ASPHALTUM is probably combustible. |
| Flammability and Explosibility | Not classified |
| Industrial uses | Asphalt refers to varieties of naturally occurringbitumen. Asphalt is also produced as a petroleumbyproduct. Both substances are black andlargely soluble in carbon disulfide. Asphalts areof variable consistency, ranging from a highlyviscous fluid to a solid.Asphalt is derived from petroleum in commercialquantities by removal of volatile components.It is an inexpensive construction material used primarily as a cementing andwaterproofing agent.Asphalt is composed of hydrocarbons andheterocyclic compounds containing N2, sulfur,O2; its components vary in molecular weightfrom about 400 to 5000. It is thermoplastic andviscoelastic; at high temperatures or over long loading times it behaves as a viscous fluid; atlow temperatures or short loading times as anelastic body. |
| Safety Profile | Suspected carcinogenwith experimental carcinogenic andtumorigenic data. A moderate irritant. Maycontain carcinogenic components.Combustible when exposed to heat orflame. To fight fire, use foam, CO2, or drychemical. |
| Potential Exposure | Occupational exposure to asphaltfumes can occur during the transport, storage, production,handling, or use of asphalt. The composition of the asphaltthat is produced is dependent on the refining processapplied to the crude oil, the source of the crude oil and thepenetration grade (viscosity) and other physical characteristicsof the asphalt required by the consumer. The processfor production of asphalt is essentially a closed-system distillation.Refinery workers are therefore potentially exposedto the fumes during loading of the asphalt for transportfrom the refinery during routine maintenance, such as leaningof the asphalt storage tanks, or during accidental spills.Most asphalt is used out of doors, in paving and roofing.The workers’ exposure to the fumes is dependent on environmental conditions, work practices, and other factors.These exposures are stated to be generally intermittent andat low concentrations. Workers are potentially exposed alsoto skin and eye contacts with hot, cut-back, or emulsifiedasphalts. Spray application of cut-back, or emulsifiedasphalts may involve respiratory exposure also. |
| First aid | If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, getmedical attention. Give large quantities of water and inducevomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit |
| storage | Color Code—Red: Flammability Hazard: Store ina flammable materials storage area. Prior to working withthis chemical you should be trained on its proper handlingand storage. Asphalt is normally shipped solid in steeldrums. Fumes are encountered only in asphalt meltingoperations. Wherever lighter or liquid forms of asphalt areused, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proofelectrical equipment and fittings. Sources of ignition, suchas smoking and open flames, are prohibited where thischemical is used, handled, or stored in a manner that couldcreate a potential fire or explosion hazard. |
| Shipping | UN1999 Tars, liquid including road oils and cutbackbitumens, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3-Flammableliquid. |
| Incompatibilities | Asphalt and bitumen dust may formexplosive mixture with air. Note: Asphalt becomes moltenat about 93 C. Asphalt burns readily when heated orignited in the presence of air or oxygen. May be incompatiblewith strong oxidizing agents like nitric acid. Charringmay occur followed by ignition. If heated sufficiently orignited in the presence of air, oxygen or strong oxidizingagents, can burn exothermically. May be ignited by strongoxidizing agents. Mostly unreactive in other settings. Notaffected by aqueous solutions of acids, alkalis, most oxidizingagents, and most reducing agents. |
| Toxics Screening Level | The initial risk screening level and secondary risk screening level (SRSL) for benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) are 6E-4 μg/m3 and 6E-3 μg/m3, respectively. |
| Waste Disposal | Dissolve or mix the materialwith a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incineratorequipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal,state, and local environmental regulations must beobserved. Asphalt solids may be landfilled. |
