Worker Exposure During Production 

of 

9-Octadecen-1-amine,hydrochloride (1:1), (9Z)-

CAS No.:41130-29-4

(aka Oleylamine HCL)

Components of the production process.

Asphalt: A mixture of asphalt and other bituminous substances, warmed and fed into the 

colloidal mill

Stabilizer: Inert additives such as calcium chloride used as a bulking agent.

Acid: For the production of the new chemical hydrochloric acid is used as an acidifying agent.

Emulsifier: The starting amine precursor for the production of the new chemical.

Water Inlet: Water is the used as the diluent for the production of the new chemical, producing 

an aqueous solution of the new chemical.

Batch Soap Tank: Stabilizer, acid, and emulsifier are mixed with water. The precursor amine 

is acidified to produce and aqueous solution of the new chemical to serve in the emulsification 

of asphalt.

Colloidal Mill: The warmed asphalt formulation is chopped and blended with the aqueous

emulsifying agent to produce a homogeneous suspension of asphalt/emulsifier particles in 

water.

Emulsion: The final product a stable asphalt emulsion used in the paving industry for “chip

sealing”

Position #1

Batch Soap 

Tank

Position #2

Emulsion Tank
Position #1 ( batch soap tank on the above diagram) 

Activity: ‘Control on addition of the reactants into the mixing tank, sampling and testing of the 

aqueous emulsifier solution containing the PMN chemical involves one worker

Form and %: ‘aqueous solution of acidified amine (the new chemical) concentration 0.05-0.50% 

w/w, the pH is adjusted to between pH: 2-4.

Water and reactants are piped into the mix tank, pH of the mixture is monitored to determine 

that the required acidity has been reached both to aid in the complete dissolution of the 

precursor amines and to convert neutral amines to their respective amine salt. 

Samples are periodically withdrawn from the mix tank via a valve on the side of the tank. A one 

gallon container is positioned below the valve, the valve is opened allowing a controlled stream 

of the mixture to clear the valve. As the valve has cleared a one half cup sample is taken from 

the stream then the valve is closed. Sample are taken to the lab for analysis. Once the pH 

reaches the required pH sampling is discontinued. 

As needed, the emulsifier solution is pumped directly to the colloidal mill using a closed system

of piping.

The worker at this position is the only one having exposure to the solution containing the new 

chemical. The precautions and PPE used at this exposure point are appropriate to protect the 

worker from the acidity of hydrochloric acid in the emulsifier solution (pH 2). The worker 

exposure is limited to the sampling taken to monitor the production process which are of limited 

duration and frequency / production batch. 

Once the pH of the solution is adjusted to the required pH the solution is piped to the colloidal 

mill, at which point the new chemical will be incorporated into the asphalt, resulting in no further 

exposure to the solution of the emulsifying agent salt.

The amine precursors and their salts are known to be moderately irritating. At the concentration 

of the amine and its salt the potential for irritation will largely be exposure to the acid aqueous 

solution pH 2-4.

PPE – ‘Rubber gloves, safety glasses, long sleeves and cuffs’ is adequate protection for worker 

exposure.

Frequency and duration of exposure: 4 batches / month, time to produce each batch 2.5 – 3 

hours. With current equipment, and production process, the maximum number of batches that 

can be produced / 8 hour work day is 3 batches. 

Based upon the closed system of piping from the batch mixing tank to the colloidal mill, where 

the PMN chemical is incorporated into the asphalt, there is no exposure of workers to the PMN 

chemical. The colloidal milling of the asphalt with the emulsifier solution effectively removes the 

PMN chemical from the aqueous phase, there is no chance of workers being exposed to the 

PMN chemical by handling the completed emulsion. The following points and activities are 

added only to complete the description of the worksite in control of the submitter.
Position #2 ( emulsion tank on the above diagram)

a. Activity: Sampling and testing of the final emulsion involves one worker

PPE: Rubber gloves, safety glasses, long sleeves and cuffs’

Form and %: Aqueous asphalt emulsion containing the emulsifier incorporated @ 0.02-

0.20% w/w. 

Emulsion sampling: A small cup sample of emulsion is pulled from a port just after the mill for 

visual and basic evaluation at the start of a production run and if any changes are made, such 

as a residue change based on viscosity, etc. A gallon sample of emulsion is then pulled from 

the finished tank for QC/QA evaluation at the end of the run. The sampling procedure includes

flushing out the valve into the bucket and then collecting a sample in the container procedure for 

visual inspection. The emulsion may also be resampled and visual inspected and/or tested 

later, depending on how long the material remains in the tank. Samples are generally not taken 

at load out.

Excess samples taken for QC/QA purposes are recycled back into the emulsion tank. There is 

no waste or disposal of the completed emulsion at the production site.).

b. Activity: - shipment of finished emulsion involves one worker.

PPE : Rubber gloves, safety glasses, long sleeves and cuffs

Form and %: Aqueous asphalt emulsion containing the emulsifier incorporated @ 0.02-

0.20% w/w. .