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5241319 
Journal Article 
Exposure To Hydrogen Sulfide, Mercaptans And Sulfur Dioxide In Pulp Industry 
Kangas, J; Jappinen, P; Savolainen, H 
1984 
Yes 
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal
ISSN: 0002-8894 
45 
12 
Workplace exposures to hydrogen-sulfide (7783064), mercaptans and sulfur-dioxide (7446095) in the pulp industry (SIC-2611) were investigated and health effects were examined. Air samples were collected in ten Finnish cellulose mills and analyzed by gas chromatography. Four mills used the sulfite digestion process and six used batch processes and different continuous digestion processes. All workers with occupational exposure to organic and inorganic sulfides in two adjoining mills were examined by industrial nurses who also helped them complete questionnaires on subjective symptoms. Unexposed workers served as comparisons. Absenteeism over the previous 12 months was examined. In mills with both batch and flow processes, hydrogen-sulfide concentrations were highest at the chip chutes averaging 0.64 part per million (ppm). Methyl-mercaptan (74931) concentrations ranged from 0.14ppm at one continuous flow digester to 2.84ppm at another, with intermediate values at batch process mills. Dimethyl-sulfide (75183) concentrations ranged from 0.14 to 4.74ppm; dimethyl-disulfide (624920) concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 0.31ppm. Hydrogen-sulfide concentrations were highest, 2.00ppm, at the vacuum pumps. The highest sulfur-dioxide concentrations in the sulfite mills were detected at the chip conveyors, 7.4ppm, and 3.2ppm during washing in the bins. Higher concentrations were obtained in winter when natural ventilation was poorer. Comparable sulfur-dioxide concentrations were found in evaporation mills with similar season dependent variations. Sulfur-dioxide concentrations were lowest in continuous ammonia based digestion mills. More exposed workers than comparisons had lack of mental concentration, chronic or recurrent headaches, nervous system symptoms like restless and lack of vigor, but only headaches were significantly different. Average sick leaves were 1.83 among exposed workers compared to 1.33 in comparisons. The authors conclude that there are no marked medical problems easily noted in an ordinary check up among workers. If control of exposure to sulfur (7704349) compounds in the chemical pulping process is desired, special attention should be paid to the occurrence of vapor concentration peaks.