Recently, India released a draft revision on Acetylene - Code of Safety for public comments. The standard was originally published in 2000. With a view to update the standard based on the experience of last two decades and on the currently available data, the authority felt a need to revise the standard. The comment period will end on February 28, 2023.
Compared with the previous version, the amendment incorporated general properties and made modifications to update safety measures for controlling hazards and essential information on symptoms of poisoning, first-aid, medical treatment, storage, handling, labeling and employee safety. Highlights of the revision can be summarized as below:
Add general properties for polymerization
Add inhalation as the major route of exposure
Supplement the toxicity information
Specify the recommended usage of respiratory and non-respiratory equipment
Introduce provisions for transport of acetylene
Acetylene is a colorless and extremely flammable gas. It is one of the most important of all starting materials for organic synthesis, particularly in commercial operations. It is also utilized to manufacture carbon black, and for oxyacetylene cutting, welding and heat treating.
