Laserfiche WebLink
<br />274 <br /> <br />September, 1970 <br /> <br />IR3 <br /> <br />day after day, without adverse effect. The values listed refer to time-weighted <br />average concentrations for a normal work day. <br /> <br />AIR POLLUTION <br /> <br />Silver-Iodide Generator.-Of the materials present in the effluent of a <br />silver-iodide generator, iodine vapor might present a hazard to an individual <br />inthe immediate vicinity if the concentration is excessive (3). The concentra- <br />tion of iodine vapor can be calculated. The hazard can also be determined since <br />theACGIH accepted threshold level for iodine vapor has been establi@~1 <br />mg per cu m of air. Consider a propane-acetone slIver-iodide generator. <br />These are in wide use by cloud seeding companies. Such generators operate <br />at a normal output rate of 6 g of AgI per hr, although higher rates of up to 24 <br />g of AgI per hr are sometimes used. Considering the normal output rate, in an <br />ambient air temperature of 700 F, the concentration of iodine vapor in the ef- <br />fluent at a point where the effluent temperature is 150" F, is estimated to be <br />0.47 mg per cu m and is probably even much less (Appendix I). This is less <br />than one- half of the ACGIH threshold level. If an ambient air temperature of <br />0" F is assumed, the concentration of iodine vapor is 0.87 mg per cu m at the <br />pointwhere the effluent temperature is 150" F. On this basis, the hazard from <br />iodine vapor to an individual in the immediate vicinity of a silver-iodide gen- <br />erator is nonexistent, and the hazard to the general population from air pollu- <br />tion by iodine vapor emitted by a silver-iodide generator is also nonexistent. <br />The other materials pre sent which may be of concern are silver iodide and its <br />complexes, and acetone. <br />With the exception of external irritants, toxic substances must be absorbed <br />into the body and distributed by means of the bloodstream in order for poisoning <br />to occur. Poisoning ordinarily does not occur without absorption. An important <br />factor in absorption is the solubility of the material in human tissue fluids. <br />The Merck Index states that silver iodide is the most water insoluble salt <br />known (3). Its solubili.ty is 0.03 mg per I of water [30 ppb (parts per billion)). <br />There are no data on threshold levels for silver iodide; however, in all re- <br />corded cases which involved the absorption of soluble silver compounds, there' <br />were no constitutional symptoms and no physical disability (10). In view of the <br />insolubility of silver iodide and its complexes in water and the absence of <br />. symptoms and disability in cases where soluble silver compounds were ab- <br />sorbed, the hazard to an individual from the silver iodide and its complexes <br />emitted from a silver-iodide generator is nonexistent. The hazard to the <br />general population from air pollution by these materials as emitted from a <br />silver-iodide generator is also nonexistent. <br />In the generator, the acetone solution is sprayed into the propane flame. It <br />is conceivable that some of the acetone is not completely oxidized despite the <br />high flame temperature and the ready availability of oxygen. Incomplete oxi- <br />dation of the acetone would result in the formation of carbon monoxide as well <br />as carbon dioxide and water. The Atmospheric Simulation Laboratory of Colo- <br />rado State University has examined the effluent of a silver-iodide generator <br />operating at the rate stated earlier. The concentration of carbon monoxide <br />was found to average 0.4 %. In an ambient air temperature of 700, the con- <br />centration of CO, at a point where the effluent temperature is 150" F, is 150 <br />ppm. In an ambient air temperature of 00 F, the concentration at 150" F is <br />280 ppm. <br />