Stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion
Engines (RICE)
MACT Rule
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4. What Are the Health Effects Associated With HAP From Stationary RICE?
 Emission
data collected during development of the NESHAP show that
several HAP are emitted from stationary RICE. These HAP emissions
are formed during combustion or result from HAP compounds
contained in the fuel burned.
The HAP which have been measured in emission tests conducted
on natural gas fired and distillate oil fired RICE include:
1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, 1,3butadiene, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane,
acetaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, chlorobenzene, chloroethane,
ethylbenzene, formaldehyde, methanol, methylene chloride,
n-hexane, naphthalene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,
polycyclic organic matter, styrene, tetrachloroethane,
toluene, and xylene. Metallic HAP from distillate oil fired
stationary RICE that have been measured are: cadmium, chromium,
lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, and selenium.
Although numerous HAP may be emitted from RICE, only a
few account for essentially all of the mass of HAP emissions
from stationary RICE. These HAP are:
- Formaldehyde
- Acrolein
- Methanol, and
- Acetaldehyde.
Health and Environmental Risk Assessment Resources
Search the following sites for more information on the HAP listed above.
US
EPA HAPS Health Effects Notebook
US
EPA Integrated Risk Information System
University
of Vermont Safety Resources
NIOSH
Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
WISER -
the Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders
The HAP emitted in the largest quantities from stationary RICE is formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is a probable human carcinogen and can cause irritation of the
eyes and respiratory tract, coughing, dry throat, tightening of the chest,
headache, and heart palpitations. Acute inhalation has caused bronchitis, pulmonary
edema, pneumonitis, pneumonia, and death due to respiratory failure. Long-term
exposure can cause dermatitis and sensitization of the skin and respiratory
tract.
Acrolein is a cytotoxic agent, a powerful lacrimating agent, and a severe
tissue irritant. Acute exposure to acrolein can cause severe irritation or
corrosion of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, with tearing, pain in the chest,
and delayed-onset pulmonary injury with depressed pulmonary function. Chronic
exposure to acrolein can cause skin sensitization and contact dermatitis. Acrolein
is not considered carcinogenic to humans.
 Humans are very sensitive to the toxic effects of methanol including formic
acidaemia, metabolic acidosis, ocular toxicity, nervous system depression,
blindness, coma, and death. A majority of the available information on methanol
toxicity in humans is based on acute rather than long-term exposure. However,
recent animal studies also indicate potential reproductive and developmental
health consequences following chronic exposure to methanol in both mice and
primates. Methanol has not been classified with respect to carcinogenicity.
The health effects for acetaldehyde are irritation of the eye mucous membranes,
skin, and upper respiratory tract, and a central nervous system (CNS) depressant
in humans. Acute exposure can cause conjunctivitis, coughing, difficult breathing,
and dermatitis. Chronic exposure may cause heart and kidney damage, embryotoxicity,
and teratogenic effects. Acetaldehyde is a probable carcinogen in humans.
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