Document 1Q1gMGQzbyzxwOLMYV6vDJgrm

RUDY E. P0DH0RA - ' ^ ,r\p & ' (--I -v -- ___________ ^ O ' '4 ^ ^ : " . i ] _ J ' INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE DEPARTMENT " POINT COMFORT OPERATIONS 1979 September 07 CONF.LDE.NT.LAL RE: SUMMARY OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTION FOR POTROOMS I. BEFORE DECEMBER 1974 A. No mandatory respiratory protection for pot attendants~ and other laborers. Used variety of respirators - mainly for dust, few for organic vapor. B. Cool hats used by electrode personnel. II. AFTER OSHA INSPECTION A. Citations/potmen in three sections. (Dec. 23, 1974) B. Initiated mandatory respirator useage in those 3 sections. Used MSA Gasefoe with filter. > C. Alcoa contested citation. D. OSHA dropped citation on basis of questionable analysis for benzene solubles. . E. A398 unit installed - May 1975 1. Potroom cut backs in production 5 lines, 2 lines, 1 line ->2 lines F. Potroom characterization study 1976 1. Found that we had organic compounds. 2. Tech. Center developed methods for precise analyses. G. Sampling Set-up pecial filter/silver membrane and etc. (treated/NagCO^ for F ) RE: SUMMARY OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTION FOR POTROOMS PAGE 2 2. Analysis for organics a. desorb filter and charcoal tubes via benzene extraction b. (now use cyclo hexane extraction" due to benzene hazard H. Numerous consultations with Messers. George Farrah and John Plunket and Tom Bonney. I. Learned that we were dealing-mainly with organic compounds of the cyclic or benzene ring type. 1. Analyses separated into ^ 4 rings or > 4 rings. Benzo-a-pyrene = ^ 4 rings. % 2. Most compounds here are > 4 rings, (Harter fraction) 3. Some compounds are revolatilized off the filter paper. (from George Farrah) 4. Rudy E. Podhora worked with 3M to develop respirator for toxic dusts, and fumes, acids gases and organic vapors. III. APRIL 30 - MAY 1, 1978 P0TR00MS SHUT DOWN A. February, March and April 1979 worked on development of res- pirators/potrooms. B. Decided that since OSHA knows we have organic compounds, fluorides and particulates we should use equipment designed specifically for the exposure. 1. Discussed problem with potroom management. 2. Tried different types of respirators; considered: a. weight b. fit c. acceptance d. performance APC 004321 RE: SUMMARY OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTION FOR POTRQOHS PAGE 3 3. F. A. Sharkey recommended using a treated prefilter over the cartridge based on successful results of low urinary fluorides in Brazil. (Tests conducted in Brazil) See test results. Brazilian's wear respirators. 4. R. E. Podhora worked with 3M to get them to make 3"0 treated filters of same material as the 3M 8706 blue mask for F"'s. Contact person consulted their (3M) marketing persons and 3M refused to make - (3M on a MSA respirator = NIOSH MSHA approval problems.) 5. Obtained 3M treated filters from Rockdale,to make prefilters. 6. Cut up 3M 8706's (2/each) for prefilters 7. Industrial Hygiene Department developed method for treating filters with Na^COj solution and blue dye .(methylene blue)L.F C. Started respirator cleaning facility in March 1979 (Tri-Wholesale) Cost s $2.80/respirator Per Federal Regulations Respirators cleaned every 30 days. 1. Tri-Wholesale now treats the prefilters @ $0.02/each. D. Respirator fitting program started August 08. E. Respirator useage and care training program started August 28. RUDY E. PODHORA APC 004322 BASIS: 1 PERSON FOR 1 YEAR I. MSA RESPIRATORS - COMFO II A. Face Pieces - Expect 1 Year Life. Cost = B. Cartridges - OV/AG Require 2/person Life = 4 weeks or 1 pair/month Cost = 2 x $1.70/each x 12/year $ 8.15/YR $ 4Q.80 C. Respirator Cleaning (every month) Cost = $2.80 x 12 times/year = $ 33.60 D. Prefilters . Cost = $0.25/each + $0.02/chemical treating Useage = 1 pair/3days Cost = $.27 x 22 days/month x 12 month/year x 2 person x 1/3 days life = $ 47.52 a, B, C & D = $130.07 II. 3M9910 LIFE = 3 DAYS PER 3M CLAIM A. Cost = $1.50/each x 22 days/month x 1/3 days life x 12/months/year = $132.00/YR B. Life = 2 days $1.50/each x 22 days/month x 12months/year x 1/2 days life = $198.00/YR C. Life = 1 day $1.50/each x 22 days/month x 12months/year x 1 days 1ife = $396.00/YR APC 004323 RE: MASK EVALUATION IN FEBRUARY TESTS WERE MADE TO COMPARE VARIOUS RESPIRATOR-CARTRIDGEFILTER ARRANGEMENTS IN OUR SEDERBERG POTROOM WORK ENVIRONMENT. THE TEST RESULTS WERE COLLECTED AFTER 5 WORKING DAYS ON GROUPS OF 10 OPERATORS. THE RESULTS WERE AS FOLLOW: GROUP I - BRAZILIAN VANGUARD RESPIRATOR WITH CHARCOAL CARTRIDGE 0 S i... AND PAPER PRE-FILTER PEOPLE SURVEYED - 10. FLUORIDE URINE AVERAGE 9.0 P.P.M. 7 WORKERS IN GROUP ABOVE 8.0 P.P.M. HIGHEST VALUE - 22.5.5, IM GROUP II - BRAZILIAN VANGUARD RESPIRATOR WITH CHARCOAL CARTRIDGE AND PRE-FILTER CUT FROM 3 M - 8706 MASK (PRE-FILTER WAS NOT CHANGED DURING TEST) PEOPLE SURVEYED - 10. FLUORIDE JUNE AVERAGE 4.2 P.P.M. I WORKER IN GROUP ABOVE 8.0 P.P.M. HIGHEST VALUE- 9.8 P.P.M. GROUP III- M.S.A COMFO II MASK WITH TWO CARTRIDGES AND TWO PRE-FILTERS (STANDARD) PEOPLE SURVEYED - 9. - FLUORIDE JUNE AVERAGE 11.8 P.P.M. 5 WORKERS ABOVE 8.0 P.P.M. HIGHEST VALUE - 27.6 P.P.M. O GROUP IV - M.S.A. COMFO II MASX WITH TWO CARTRIDGES AND TWO PRE FILTERS CUT FROM 3 M-8706 PKSKS (PRE-FILTER WAS NOT CHANGED DURING TEST). PEOPLE SURVEYED - 8. ' FLUORIDE URINE AVERAGE 5.2 P.P.M. 1 WORKER IN GROUP ABOVE 8.0 P.P.M. HIGHEST VALUE-10.3 P.P.M ALCOMINAS IS PURCHASING 3 M-8706 MASKS TO BE CUT INTO PRE-FILTERS FOR USE IN THE BRAZILIAN VANGUARD MASK. WE ARE ALSO INVESTIGATING THE POSSIBILITY OF BUYING PRE-FILTERS CUT FROM THE SAME MATERIAL USED IN THE 3 M-8706 MASK. PREVIOUS RESULTS FROM THE 3 Mt870$ (<KSX HAD INDICATED ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN FLUORIDE PROTECTION. HOW ITS USE AS A PRE-FILTER IN THE VANGUARD ALSO ALLOWS USE OF THE CHARCOAL CARTRIDGE. APC 004324