The toxicity hazard of sulfuric acid should be classified as \"extremely hazardous\"; is it still permissible to use plastic materials for storage tanks and pipelines containing sulfuric acid at room temperature?
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According to \"Occupational Exposure Limits for Hazardous Factors in the Workplace – Part 1: Chemical Hazardous Factors\" (GBZ 2.1-2007), \"Classification of the Hazards Caused by Occupational Exposure to Poisons\" (GBZ 230-2010), and \"Classification Standards for the Toxicity and Explosive Hazards of Chemical Media in Pressure Vessels\" (HGT 20660-2017), sulfuric acid is classified as a \"confirmed human carcinogen G1\", with its toxicity level rated as \"extremely hazardous\". Is it still permissible to use plastic storage tanks and plastic pipes in the project design? Should the classification of sulfuric acid pipelines be upgraded to GC1? Should such non-metallic pipes in existing installations be replaced with metal-lined pipes, upgraded to GC1 grade, and re-reported? I would be grateful for any guidance from those who are aware of this.
Extreme hazard – this is a major issue.
Is there any progress? Do all sulfuric acid pipelines need to be designed according to GC1? How can existing devices be modified? Should it be renovated?
According to the \"Classification of Hazards Arising from Occupational Exposure to Toxic Substances\" (GBZ 230-2010) and the \"Classification Standards for the Toxicity and Explosive Hazards of Chemical Media in Pressure Vessels\" (HG/T 20660-2017), sulfuric acid is classified as a \"definite human carcinogen\", belonging to substances with extremely high hazards. However, the \"Announcement by the State Administration for Market Regulation on Matters Related to Administrative Licenses for Special Equipment (No. 3, 2019)\” specifies that the degree of hazard associated with a medium is classified in accordance with the \"Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals\" (2015 edition), rather than based on the aforementioned two criteria. Therefore, sulfuric acid is an extremely hazardous medium, and sulfuric acid pipelines will not be classified as GC1. I humbly ask the experts for their guidance!
1: In the current definition of pressure pipelines, item (1) under GC1 is defined as: 1. Process pipelines that transport media with a toxicity level of Acute Toxicity Category 1 as specified in the Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals, gas media belonging to Acute Toxicity Category 2, and liquid media of Acute Toxicity Category 2 whose operating temperature is higher than their standard boiling point； 2: The properties of sulfuric acid as listed in the Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals are: skin corrosion/irritation, Category 1A; severe eye damage/eye irritation, Category 1. Therefore, even though the HG specification classifies it as extreme, it does not meet the definition of GC1(1), and thus is not considered a GC1 pipe.