Spent liquor from alkaline pulping and bleaching containing spent inorganic process chemicals and dissolved organic substances originating from the cellulosic raw material.

Direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Administrative data

Endpoint:

direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Type of information:

other:

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Study period:

1992

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: No toxicity test conducted.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

1992

Materials and methods

Study type:

other: Accidental incidence

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline required

Deviations:

not applicable

Principles of method if other than guideline:

No toxicity tests were conducted. A case study of three accidental incidences and thermal corrosive burns for eys, skin and lungs are reported.

GLP compliance:

not specified

Remarks:

Not applicable

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Spent liquor from alkaline pulping and bleaching containing spent inorganic process chemicals and dissolved organic substances originating from the cellulosic raw material.

EC Number:

931-584-3

Cas Number:

66071-92-9

Molecular formula:

UVCB substance, not available. View remarks field.

IUPAC Name:

Spent liquor from alkaline pulping and bleaching containing spent inorganic process chemicals and dissolved organic substances originating from the cellulosic raw material.

Details on test material:

No toxicity tests were conducted. Case study of three accidental incidences and thermal corrosive burns for eys, skin and lungs are reported.

Method

Type of population:

occupational

Subjects:

Accidental incidences and thermal corrosive burns

Ethical approval:

not applicable

Remarks:

Case study

Route of exposure:

other: Dermal and ocular

Reason of exposure:

accidental

Exposure assessment:

not specified

Details on exposure:

Three occupational accident cases were reported regarding burn injury caused by black liquor. According to the article black liquor (pH 11-13) is used typically at a temperature of 85-95 ºC placing workers at risk to a combination thermal and chemical burn. 

Results and discussion

Clinical signs:

Combination of alkali/thermal burns caused by Black liquor can damage skin and eyes thorough direct exposure, the respiratory tract if inhaled and the gastrointestinal tract if ingested.

Outcome of incidence:

Three occupational accident cases in Canada were reported regarding burn injury caused by black liquor. According to the article black liquor (pH 11-13) is used typically at a temperature of 85-95 ºC placing workers at risk to a combination of thermal and chemical burn. Combination of alkali/thermal burns caused by Black liquor can damage skin and eyes through direct exposure, the respiratory tract if inhealed and the gastrointestinal tract if ingested. In the first case a man accidentally stepped into Black liquor pool and his both legs were injured. Based on the clinical examination revealed a full skin thickness non circumferential burn to 3 % BSA (body surface area). In the second case a man got 40 % BSA when Black liquor accidentally sprayed under pressure to his faces and body. The right eye had a glazed appearance indicating severe alkali burn. In the third case a man got 98 per cent BSA and severe inhalation injury when a malfunction occurred spraying Black liquor into his body. The man died of a cardiac arrest at 24 h post burn.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

Three occupational accident cases in Canada were reported regarding burn injury caused by Black liquor. According to the article Black liquor (pH 11-13) is used typically at a temperature of 85-95 ºC placing workers at risk to a combination of thermal and chemical burn. Combination of alkali/thermal burns caused by Black liquor can damage skin and eyes thorough direct exposure, the respiratory effect if in healed and the gastrointestinal effect if ingested. In the first case a man accidentally stepped into Black liquor pool and his both legs were injured. Based on the clinical examination revealed a full skin thickness non circumferential burn to 3 % BSA (body surface area). In the second case a man got 40 % BSA when Black liquor accidentally sprayed under pressure to his faces and body. The right eye had a glazed appearance indicating severe alkali burn. In the third case a man got 98 per cent BSA and severe inhalation injury when a malfunction occurred spraying Black liquor into his body. The man died of a cardiac arrest at 24 h post burn. As a conclusion it can be assessed that hot alkaline splashes of Black liquor penetrate rapidly through the thin protective clothes and incur burns. Black liquor splash can incur deep ulceration or corrosive damage to the skin.