A3: Benzene Exposure From Firefighting With Foam
Mon, 5/19: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Education Session
Education Session
Kansas City Convention Center
Room: 3501 A
CM Credit Hours: 1
Description
The source-path-receiver model necessitates that benzene exposure risk during industrial tank fire events should begin at the source. Surface spills are well studied, but there is a gap in knowledge of benzene behavior in crude oil at considerable depth (i.e., storage tanks). Persistent benzene concentrations were observed in post-fire crude oil samples collected during tank fire foam research in Borger, TX in 2022. Persistence refers to the percent change in concentration from the pre-burn to post-burn crude oil indicating gain or loss of a chemical species from the mixture. A second study was conducted to confirm Borger observations, where post-fire benzene presence in crude oil was quantified using a tank fire apparatus (SKAB) specifically designed for the collection of discrete liquid samples from various temperature zones following numerous tank fire tests. The unique design of the SKAB yielded a novel data set, providing temperature analysis during burns at 1inch-depth increments co-located with access ports for liquid sample collection after extinguishment. Subsequently, crude oil samples were collected from the hot, warm, and cold zones. Liquid samples collected from the SKAB were analyzed (GCMS) with a similar benzene persistence observed in post-fire crude oil extinguished by foam. Based on the findings and confirmation of benzene persistence, further research on the role of foam application and the persistence of benzene in post tank-fire crude oil is warranted.
Learning Outcomes
1. Upon completion, the participant will be able to distinguish characteristics of thin film (surface spill) fires and tank fires that influence benzene behavior following crude oil fires.
2. Upon completion, the participant will be able to anticipate that conventional wisdom of aromatic depletion does not apply to all crude oil fire cases.
3. Upon completion, the participant will be able to recognize the potential for benzene's persistence to contribute to post-fire exposures.
4. Upon completion, the participant will be able to evaluate post-fire work tasks based on the new understanding that elevated benzene concentrations may be similar to pre-burn conditions in the remaining liquid.
5. Upon completion, the participant will be able to identify additional control measures necessary to address elevated benzene exposure risk while handling post-fire crude oil.
6. Upon completion, the participant will be able to incorporate these findings into response planning & tactics for increased worker protection.
2. Upon completion, the participant will be able to anticipate that conventional wisdom of aromatic depletion does not apply to all crude oil fire cases.
3. Upon completion, the participant will be able to recognize the potential for benzene's persistence to contribute to post-fire exposures.
4. Upon completion, the participant will be able to evaluate post-fire work tasks based on the new understanding that elevated benzene concentrations may be similar to pre-burn conditions in the remaining liquid.
5. Upon completion, the participant will be able to identify additional control measures necessary to address elevated benzene exposure risk while handling post-fire crude oil.
6. Upon completion, the participant will be able to incorporate these findings into response planning & tactics for increased worker protection.
Content Level
Intermediate
Interactive Session Experience
Q&A
Organizational Category
Corporation/Company
Primary Industry
Manufacturing
Oil & Gas
Transportation
Topics
Chemical Hazards
Emergency/Incident Preparedness and Response
Hazard Recognition/Exposure Assessment