Peracetic Acid is used as a cleaner and can be found in many food establishments, medical facilities, agricultural applications, on food processing equipment, Â and in pasteurizers in wineries, breweries and beverages facilities. As with all gases, proper application guidelines should be followed and gas levels should be monitored to avoid human safety issues.
You can find all of the equipment that we offer for measuring and detecting PAA on our website.
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Peracetic Acid Uses, Health Risks & Workplace Guidelines
Peracetic or peroxyacetic acid (PAA) is a strong oxidizing agent used for high level disinfection and sterilization at low temperatures. It is water soluble, and leaves no solid residue after rinsing and the end products are only water, oxygen and acetic acid (vinegar), making PAA a very environmentally friendly compound.
In healthcare, the demand for faster turnaround time of heat sensitive reprocessed multiple-use medical devices led to the development of PAA liquid sterilization, given ethylene oxide’s longer required aeration time at the end of the sterilization cycle to vent the gas. In addition, the food packaging and waste water treatment industries have adopted PAA as a preferred disinfectant and sterilant wash because of its environmental properties.
Health Risks of PAA Exposure
As an antimicrobial agent, PAA is broadly effective against a wide range of microorganisms; it disrupts bonds in proteins and enzymes and interferes with cell membrane transportation through the rupture of cell walls, oxidizing essential enzymes and impairing vital biochemical pathways.
The properties of PAA that make it an efficient sterilant and environmentally friendly make it potentially dangerous to any employees exposed to it in the workplace. Unfortunately the health risks to workers from PAA exposure are not known by many employers. Hospitals, food handling and processing industries commonly use PAA, in concentrations that can be harmful to workers if they are exposed.
Specifically, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances identifies PAA as a primary irritant, known tumorigen and mutagen.
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Occupational Health Service released a study on the the health effects of PAA exposure. The study also found that PAA is very irritating to the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, with the potential for causing permanent scarring of the skin, cornea, and throat. Higher exposures in the short term can also cause pulmonary edema as well as liver and kidney effects.
PAA Workplace Guidelines
While there are no Occupational Saftey and Health Administration (OSHA )regulations specifically for PAA – most OSHA PELS have not been updated since their initial adoption in 1972 – the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) for PAA, specifically:
• AEGL-3 (death/permanent incapacity) 1.3 ppm: the threshold above which mortality and/or irreversible effects could be observed for an exposure of up to 60 minutes. AEGL-3 is analogous to the NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) chemical listing concentrations and documentation values, which are 75 ppm for hydrogen peroxide and 800 ppm for ethylene oxide.
• AEGL-2 (disability) 0.51 ppm: the threshold level above which intense lacrimation, extreme nose discomfort and transient incapacitation (inability of self protection but without residual consequences) could be observed for an exposure of up to 60 minutes.
• AEGL-1 (discomfort) 0.17 ppm: the level above which discomfort could be observed for an exposure of up to 8 hours per day. AEGL is analogous to the OSHA PEL (1 ppm for both hydrogen and ethylene oxide, calculated as an 8 hour time weighted average. See OSHA Standard 1910.1000, Table Z1 Limits for Hydrogen Air Contaminants and OSHA Standard 1910.1047 for Ethylene Air Contaminants.
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