Document 4a5VDmkzB9JXJrxvp2p7BDYE1

50983 DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A. 1HQ2 / TEXAS DIVISION FREEPORT, TEXAS 77541 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH REPORT ATMOSPHERIC ASBESTOS LEVELS AND PERSONNEL MONITORING A-427, A-2 DOCK file no. A4-1022 December 7, 1976 DATE. AUTHOR___ H. N-__ Edward CHECKED. 4L DATE. erA sJl 7/976 Summary Atmospheric asbestos levels were high in the area where incoming asbestos 3.2ri.vi.n0 fircir. ovsitsseis v.tss . Net ctv"Lv v-oitc ttc Levels hi-^t tut the conditions of the asbestos bags were very bad. It is recommended that overseas shippers be notified of the poor arrival conditions. The local carrier should also be notified. It is also recommended that the unloading be done directly into the asbestos storage warehouse to eliminate handling and also confine the problem to an area that is controlled. It is further recommended that the workmen who handle this material be made aware of the hazards, the levels and instructed on the proper methods of cleanup and disposal as well as proper use of respirator and protective equipment. DOW CONFIDENT Distribution S. F. R. E. W. H. G. G. E. N. 0. F. File Edquist A-1201 Flake B-101 Fletcher B101 Hinojosa A901 McKee A-427 Schumm B-101 (2) sK R. Langner 1803 Midland Darlene Swank 1803 Midland D. J. Roberts 2020 Bldg.-Midland * F. D. Axe - Pittsburg * C. E. Halphen - Plaquemine * John Martino - Licking River ' * R. D. Olson 433 Bldg. - M; .'.a: 1 * C. H. VanMetre-OCD ; .4 'an operating unit op the dow chemical compa 408852 CO --I o 0 0 CO CO cn File A4-1022 -2- December 7, 1976 INTRODUCTION The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires that occupational exposures to airborne asbestos be controlled so that no worker is exposed to more than 2.0 asbestos fibers per cubic centimeter of air based on a count of fibers greater than 5 micrometers in length. These are determined by a timeweighted average (TWA) exposure for an eight hour work day, and no peak concentrations of asbestos more than 10.0 fibers per cubic centimeter as determined by a minimum sampling time of 15 minutes. It is now proposed to lower the limit to 0.5 fibers per cubic centimeter with a peak of 5.0 fibers. This survey was conducted at A-2 Dock to evaluate the worker exposures by personnel and area monitoring while unloading bagged asbestos that had been received by van. The sampling occurred October 4, 1976. METHODOLOGY Airborne samples were collected using a Bendix Permissible air sampling pump (Bendix Corp., Baltimore, Md.). The fibers were collected by pulling air through a Millipore filter (AAWG 03700) mounted in a Millipore disposable cassette. Flow rates for the pumps were calibrated at 1400 cubic centimeters per minute. Sampling times are shown in Table I. Samples were analyzed by Lee Martin of Central Laboratory using the following technique: Four marked squares are cut from a filter about halfway from the edge to the center. This section is then placed on a drop of clearing solution"1 and placed on a microscope slide. The sample is covered with a cover slip 'and allowed to clear (about 15 min.). The sample count is made on a Reichert Zetopan Optical microscope using Nomaraki interference contrast at 500 magnification. Counts are made for particles greater than 5.0 microns, and reported as fibers per filter square. RESULTS The results are shown in Table I and the sample locations in Figure 1. Most of the samples collected were above 2.0 fibers/cc, with the highest being 8.6. The peak exposure of 10.0 fibers was not reached. ! S70003187 Clearing solution: 0.1 g/ml of clean Millipore filter paper in 1:1 diethyloxalate: dimethylphthalate. ~ 408853 .; ma1 J l .i *4 File A4-1022 -3- December 7, 1976 DISCUSSION For some time the unloading of asbestos that has been transported from overseas by piggy-back, arrived at the loading dock in bad condition. This was no exception. The truck was backed into position and as soon as the doors were opened sample 1 and 2 were taken. The condition within the trailer was very bad. Many pallets had overturned and bags had torn. Many had been torn by the banding. The two unloaders wore throw-away coveralls and proper respirators at all times. They were required to enter the van and repalletize many of the asbestos bags and retape or resack much of the asbestos. Sample location number 4 was several hundred feet down a passageway within the building. It is worthy to note that the fibers were being scattered throughout the area. Sample point 6 is outside the warehouse area where the asbestos was stacked to be removed again to the asbestos storage. CONCLUSIONS Even though the workers were probably not overexposed(because they wore proper protective clothing) this does not seem to be a good place to unload these type trucks. There is too large an area for the fibers to be scattered and causes too much potential for overexposure. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Since these come in by truck trailer it is recommended that they be unloaded directly into the asbestos storage area. This would confine the problem to an area where it can be handled by properly trained handlers. 2. It is also recommended that the company be notified of the poor conditions and request better bagging, banding and palletizing. The carriers should also be notified of the poor arrival conditions. 3. It is further recommended that these unloaders and fork lift drivers be made aware of these levels, warned of the hazards of overexposure and instructed in the proper uses of their respirator and protective clothing. The proper cleanup procedures should also be stressed as well as the disposition of the cleaned up material. ST0003I 88 EHS HNE/bbs 12-7-76 " ...... 408854 TABLE I ATMOSPHERIC ASBESTOS A-2 LOADING DOCK Fibers/cc > 5uM LOCATION SAMPLE TIME MIN. 1) Fig. 1 before movement 2) Fig. 1 before movement 1) Fig. 1 after removal 2) Fig. 1 after removal 3) Fig. 1 during operation 4) Fig. 1 during operation 5) Fig. 1 during operation 6) Fig. 1 during operation 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 FIBERS/CC > 5 uM 8.6 7.9 6.3 7.1 3.9 2.2 2.0 1.1 NAME PERSONNEL SAMPLING MASTER # .JOB DESCRIPT. SAMPLE TIME FIBERS MIN. /cc >5 u* T. L. Burnett 107912 Lift truck driver R. Rubeto 138606 Dnloader H. Herrera (Cont. ) SC 116-W7124 Unloader 160 160 160 1.6 5.6 5.3 T0003I 09 408855 oo oo oo oo o 8$> oo @ ST0003I 90 cQ> * j j Fig. 1 A427 A2 Dock 408856