Document 262VGp7BB3Xv7170JKKRgey6

DU PONT CENTRAL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT HASKELL LABORATORY FOR TOXICOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE cc: K.D. Dastur T.J. Nelson D.E. Cummings G.J. Garris H.J. Trochimowicz G.L. Kennedy - isiC, November 4,1992 TO: JAMES E. LEEMANN CHEMICALS B-16271 FROM: CHARLES F. REINHARDT, M.D. CR&D HASKELL LABORATORY LEAD AND LEAD COMPOUNDS: ADDENDUM TO HAZARD DETERMINATION LETTER DATED JULY 10.1989 According to the corporate guidelines for control of carcinogenic, reproductive, developmental, and germ-celt mutagenic risks posed by chemicals made or used within Du Pont, lead and lead compounds were reviewed July 10,1989. That review concluded that for women of childbearing capability, exposures to lead above background, as measured by blood lead levels, should be avoided. For others, the recommendation was made to have a program to reduce blood-lead levels to 35 fig/dL or below. On May 24,1991, an addendum to that hazard determination was issued where the recommendation was reaffirmed for women of childbearing capability to avoid exposures to lead above background. Since termination of Du Pont's TEL production in 1991, about 85 employees have been working to clean up the area. Proper health controls, such as personal protective equipment, updated hygiene and work practices, engineering controls, and ongoing medical surveillance are in place to prevent lead overexposure for current workers. Neither the 1991 Du Pont epidemiology study on TEL workers nor the recent published literature on potential health effects of lead have provided convincing evidence that our current handling practices need to be modified. Therefore, we conclude that lead should continue to be handled as both a reproductive hazard and as a developmental hazard. For women of child-bearing capability, exposures that result in lead absorption above background, as measured by blood lead, should be avoided. For others, exposure to lead should be minimized to result in a blood-lead level as close as possible-to background levels but preferably not to exceed 35 pg/dL. Coupled with other work and industrial hygiene practices designed to minimize potential exposure, the preceding recommendations should adequately protect all workers from overexposure to lead. CFR/HJT:dj DUP040011284