Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
Asphalt; Asphalt (cut); Asphalt (cutback); Asphalt (petroleum); Asphalt cements; Asphalt, liquid medium-curing; Asphalt, liquid rapid-curing; Asphalt, liquid slow-curing; Asphaltic bitumen; Asphaltum; Bitumen; Bitumens, asphalt; Bituminous materials, asphalt; Judean pitch; Mineral pitch; Mineral rubber (VAN); Petroleum; Petroleum asphalt; Petroleum bitumen; Petroleum pitch; Petroleum refining residues, asphalts; Petroleum roofing tar; Road asphalt; Road tar; Trinidad pitch; [ChemIDplus] UN1999
Category
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Description
Fumes generated during the production or application of asphalt (a dark-brown to black cement-like substance manufactured by the vacuum distillation of crude petroleum oil). [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Asphalt is produced from evaporation of the lighter petroleum hydrocarbons and partial oxidation of the residue. Petroleum asphalt should be differentiated from tar or pitch, which is derived from coal. Used in construction of highways, irrigation canals, dams, airfields; Also used in materials for insulating, roofing, and painting; [ACGIH] Asphalt is called bitumen in Europe; it is derived from petroleum and contains a small amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). [
PMID 25807312]
Comments
"If asphalt-related dermal photosensitization is occurring, such as seen with coal tar, it has not been described in the literature and so needs to be further investigated, as do the other reported skin problems." [Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Asphalt. NIOSH. 2000] "The concentrations of PAHs in coal tar pitch are usually two to three orders of magnitude higher than those found in petroleum-derived asphalt." PAH exposure in asphalt roofers and pavers is low compared to other PAH exposed workers, but significantly higher than non-occupationally exposed groups. The "TLV Basis" is upper respiratory tract and eye irritation; [ACGIH] 2A: oxidized bitumens emissions during roofing; 2B: hard bitumens & emissions during mastic asphalt work; straight run bitumens emissions during road paving; [IARC] See "Asphalt, oxidized."
BEI
1-Hydroxypyrene (1-HP) in urine = 2.5 ug/L at end of shift at end of workweek; (Adjusted for the Pyrene to Benzo(a)pyrene ratio); 3-Hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene (3-HBAP) in urine = Nq at end of shift at end of workweek; [TLVs and BEIs]
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TLV (ACGIH)
0.5 mg/m3, inhalable fraction (as benzene soluble aerosol)
Explanatory Notes
NIOSH REL = 15 min. ceiling of 5 mg/m3; Melting point of asphalt = 110 deg F; [CAMEO] Flash point = 204 deg C; See DFG MAKs for asphalt in 2022 Guide to Occupational Exposure Values;
Half Life
No reports found; [TDR, p. 140]
IARC Carcinogen
Probable (2a)
ACGIH Carcinogen
Not Classifiable
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: