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Air Monitoring Applications - Petrochemical
Mercaptans
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 Methyl-, Ethyl-, Butyl- Mercaptans
Mercaptans are a group of sulfur containing organic compounds that impart a cabbage-like odor into the environment. Mercaptans are found in crude petroleum. Mercaptan is a non-toxic chemical added to natural gas to make it easier to detect in case of a gas leak because of the foul smell. Mercaptans are also found in jet fuels.
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| Exposure Limits |
Contaminant/
Agency |
Exposure Limit |
| Methyl Mercaptan |
| OSHA (PEL) |
for General Industry: 10 ppm (20 mg/m³) Ceiling
for Construction Industry: 0.5 ppm (1.0 mg/m³) TWA
for Maritime: 0.5 ppm (1.0 mg/m³) TWA |
| ACGIH (TLV) |
0.5 ppm, (0.98 mg/m³) TWA |
| NIOSH (REL) |
0.5 ppm (1.0 mg/m³) Ceiling (15 Minutes) |
| NIOSH (IDHL) |
150 ppm |
| Butyl Mercaptan |
| OSHA (PEL) |
for General Industry: 10 ppm (35 mg/m³) TWA
for Construction Industry: 0.5 ppm (1.5 mg/m³) TWA
for Maritime: 0.5 ppm (1.5 mg/m³) TWA |
| ACGIH (TLV) |
0.5 ppm, (1.8 mg/m³) TWA |
| NIOSH (REL) |
0.5 ppm (1.8 mg/m³) Ceiling (15 Minutes) |
| NIOSH (IDHL) |
500 ppm |
| Ethyl Mercaptan |
| OSHA (PEL) |
for General Industry: 10 ppm (25 mg/m³) Ceiling
for Construction Industry: 0.5 ppm (1.0 mg/m³) TWA
for Maritime: 0.5 ppm (1.0 mg/m³) TWA |
| ACGIH (TLV) |
0.5 ppm, (1.3 mg/m³) TWA |
| NIOSH (REL) |
0.5 ppm (1.0 mg/m³) Ceiling (15 Minutes) |
| NIOSH (IDHL) |
500 ppm |
| (TWA=Time-weighted average; TLV=Threshold Limit Value; PEL=Personal Exposure Limit, REL=Recommended Exposure Limit; IDHL=Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health concentration) |
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