Document 0qDxV3vgokpGodRK8e8mGXm1R

Interoffice Communication To P. L. Jernigan From S. F. PittS Oat* September 22, 1980 Subject VCM Contamination (ccnoco) Four air samples were taken in the Ethylene Unit area during the VCM release on September 11, 1980. The samples were taken over a period of 2.3 hours with the following results. Sample Code VC-007 VC-008 VC-009 VC-010 Location C2 Control Room Chem Storage West of Quench Fence Line West of Spent Caustic Tank a South Side C2 Control Room , let me know. Result (ppm VCM) 0.08 1.49 8.69 0.47 cc: R. D. Gamblin W. V. Henry CcA--A ^ --RK CCR 0000809Q5 APPENDIX E r.-'jenT .. CCft 00008098 APPENDIX F CCR 000080938 lak* Chrl VCM Plant CERTIFIED MAIL #315658 RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED September 15, 1980 Conoco Chemicals Company A Division of Conoco Inc. P.O. Box 605 Westlake, Louisiana 70669 (318) 491-521 1 U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration 2156 Wooddale Boulevard Hoover Annex, Suite 200 ' -i . _ Baton Rouge, LA 70806 ' *. Attention: Joe Amsley, Area Director Gentlemen: This letter is in confirmation of a report submitted by telephone on September 12, 1980 at approximately 1:45 p.m. with regard to an unexpected release of vinyl chloride monomer. Mr. Henry Ramos, Industrial Hygienist, was the OSHA representative I talked to. This report is being submitted in compliance with Part 1910.1017 of the OSHA Vinyl Chloride Standard. At approximately 2 p.m. on September 11, 1980, an unexpected release of vinyl chloride to the atmosphere occurred at the Conoco Chemicals Company's Vinyl Chloride Plant in Westlake, Louisiana. The release resulted from the fact that a valve in an atmospheric vent line on a vinyl chloride dryer was in advertently left open while the dryer was being inventoried with product. Approximately 100 gallons of vinyl chloride was released to the atmosphere before the vent valve was closed. Seven employees in the immediate vicinity of the release who responded to the emergency were exposed to vinyl chloride vapors in the process of successfully suppressing the potential ignition of the released vapors. Upon alleviation of the immediate fire hazard, all employees involved retreated to a safe location to don5respiratory equipment, monitor the situation, and plan appropriate action. Immediately upon recognition that a release had occurred, all non-essential personnel were evacuated to a safe location and essential personnel were either located in areas confirmed to be below the permissible levels or required to don respiratory equipment. The plant areas were monitored for vinyl chloride levels with portable threshold limit value detectors, fixed point monitor gas chromotograph analyzers and a Drager tube analyzer until the concentration of the vinyl chloride was below the permissible level and employees were allowed to return to their routine duties. In addition to the seven employees mentioned above, two other employees and two other contract employees were exposed to vinyl chloride vapors during the evacuation. Employees responding to the emergency in the process area were exposed to vinyl chloride vapors for approximately five minutes. U. S. Department of Labor Page 2 September 15, 1980 In accordance with the Vinyl Chloride Standard, the above-mentioned exposed employees have been verbally notified that they were exposed to vinyl chloride above the permissible level. This verbal notification will be followed within ten days by written confirmation to these employees. Because of the personnel's short time of exposure and the absence of any physical effects, our Medical Division recommended that no Immediate medical attention was warranted. Sincerely, Safety Director is BCC: VCM File 0. J. Hall - Houston JAD Lak* Chart** VCM Plant CERTIFIED MAIL #315689 RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED September 17, 1980 Conoco Chemical* Company A Division of Conoco Inc. P.0- Box 605 Westlake, Louisiana 70669 (318) 491-5211 Ms. Adlene Harrison, Regional Administrator United States Environmental Protection Agency Region VI '* . -i 1201 Elm Street Dallas, TX 75270 .. - Dear Ms. Harrison: The following is a report of an unexpected release of vinyl chloride to the atmosphere at the Conoco VCM Plant in Westlake, Louisiana. We are reporting this release under Section 61.65, Part 61 of the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants, Standard for Vinyl Chloride, even though this release is not specifically an emergency relief valve discharge. However, we do feel the intent of the regulations requires our reporting the release. At approximately 2:00 p.m. on September 11, 1980, a vinyl chloride release to the atmosphere occurred. Approximately 100 gallons of vinyl chloride were released to the atmosphere when a valve on the atmosphere vent line on a vinyl chloride dryer was inadvertently left open while filling the dryer. As soon as the problem was identified, the valve on atmospheric vent line was immediately closed, tnereby preventing any further release of vinyl chloride. The operations procedure is being reviewed with the appropriate personnel to avoid a recurrence of the problem. Please let us know if you have any questions concerning this report or require any additional information. Sincerely Plant Manager is CC: Gus VonBodungen - DONR BCC: REL-CRH-HJN-VAM-GLF-PLF-DLD-JWW-JCL-JGC f CCR 000080991