Document 4wjKxoOzB8mbqKoO9EKXR8wa

FILE NAME: Asbestos Textile Product Use (ATPU) DATE: 1992 Oct DOC#: ATPU021 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Internal Consultant Report - Asbestos Fiber Release During Use of Asbestos Clothing Report of Results: M V A 036 5 Asbestos Fiber Release During Use of Asbestos Clothing Prepared by: MVA, Inc, 5500 Oakbrook Parkway, Suite 200 Norcross, GA 30093 09 October 1992 MVA0365:rpt1009 MVA, Inc. Excellence in Microanalysis 5500 Oakbrook Parkway #200 Norcross, Georgia 30093 404-662-8509 Introduction Asbestos te xtile clothing; gloves, aprons, jackets and hoods are manufactured from asbestos yarn and usually have high asbestos content (about 85% ). Some asbestos textile products are coated or impregnated w ith polymers, however, there still remains a significant quantity of non-coated fabrics in use. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns that coated asbestos fabrics may release asbestos dust if cut or torn, or for some products, during normal u s e 1. Several studies have shown that asbestos fibers are released from asbestos textile materials. Bamber and B utterw orth (1 970 )2 reported finding fiber levels ranging from 2 .3 7 to 4 .4 5 fibers per cc for air samples collected on an experim entalist w earing an asbestos apron and gauntlets perform ing activities such as carrying objects, walking and bench w ork. Lumley (1971)3 showed fiber concentrations associated w ith wearing asbestos cloth fire fighting helmets to exceed 2 fibers/cc. Gibbs (1 9 7 5 )4 reported an airborne asbestos levels associated w ith w orkers wearing asbestos safety garments at tw o industrial plants. A t a steel plant where men wore asbestos coats, hoods and mittens, concentrations of fibers ranged from 0.3 to 5.0 f/cc. A t a second plant which manufactured elemental phosphorus where men wore asbestos coats, leggings and occasionally hoods and gloves, concentrations of fibers ranged from 9.9 to 26.2 fibers/cc. Asbestos gloves used in sterilization operations in a biological laboratory were the subject of study by Samimi and Williams (1981 )5. Means of time weighted average concentrations ranged from 0.95 to 11 .74 fibers/cc in isolation chamber tests and from 0.07 to 2.93 fibers/cc for breathing zone samples collected in actual laboratory workplaces. All of the above studies involved measurement of fiber concentrations w ith an optical microscope follow ing various methods. Gibbs also used scanning electron m icroscopy. Although none used the current OSHA method, NIOSH 7400, all counted fibers were greater than 5 /jm w ith a 3:1 aspect ratio. Samimi and Williams used the NIOSH method P & CAM 239, the precursor to the NIOSH 7400. This experim ent was designed to measure asbestos fiber release from asbestos gloves and an asbestos apron w orn while w orkers were perform ing tasks related to those occurring in steel plants; moving fire brick and pieces of metal and handling a steel poking rod. Discussions w ith the steel w orkers also indicated th a t it was a common practice to clap and rub gloves together, especially when the y were new or soiled, to get rid of dust tha t m ight prevent a good grip. Tw o short duration tests were conducted to evaluate the asbestos fib e r release w hich m ight occur w ith that practice. A test of a non-asbestos aluminized jacket used by the workers while performing the same tasks of moving fire brick and pieces of metal was done for comparison. M VA0365:rpt1009 Study Site The experim ents were performed in an unused room on the campus of the Georgia Technology Research Institute (GTRI) part of the Georgia Tech U niversity. A controlled containm ent area w ith walls, floors and ceilings covered w ith plastic was installed in the room by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor prior to the studies. The containm ent was approximately 17' by 10'. Discussions w ith steel workers indicated a wide range of ventilation conditions under w hich the asbestos clothing had been used, from areas of essentially no ven tilation to areas where the ventilation levels were high. In some cases, the aire w as reportedly very turbulent and capable of stirring dust. This set of experim ents w ere conducted w itho ut air movement in the isolation chamber. Subsequent to each test, the chamber was cleaned w ith a HEPA vacuum and w e t w iped w ith disposable rags. An air filtration unit was used to cleanse the air of particulate. Air samples were collected after each cleaning. All personnel wore respirators and com plete protective clothing during the testing and cleanup tim e periods inside the containment. Experimental Procedures Test 1. Tw o retired steel workers moved various pieces of iron and fire bricks from one side of the containment to the other. One wore a non-asbestos aluminized jacket (#7043) for half the work period of approximately 30 minutes. The other wore the jacket for the second half of the w ork period. Both wore non asbestos cloth w ork gloves. Test 2. One w orker moved various pieces of iron and fire brick while w earing an asbestos apron (#5024) for approximately 30 minutes. The w orker wore non-asbestos cloth work gloves. Test 3; One w orker clapped gloves (in good condition) together for 5 m inutes. The gloves were identified as pair #5023, later labeled #5023B. Test 4. Tw o workers moved various pieces of iron and fire brick while w earing asbestos gloves (pairs #7042 and #5028) for approxim ately 30 minutes. Test 5. T w o w orkers handled an iron poking bar w hile wearing asbestos gloves (pairs #5 023 A and #5021) for approximately 30 minutes. Test 6. Tw o workers moved various pieces of iron and fire brick while w earing asbestos gloves (pairs #5010 and #ABC) and sharing an asbestos apron. Test 7. One w orker clapped gloves which had a tear for 5 minutes. The gloves were identified as pair #7044. M VA0365:rpt1 009 Analytical Methods Air samples were analyzed by the current standard phase contrast m icroscopy (PCM) method 6 known as NIOSH 7400. The "A " counting rules were used. Although the phase contrast microscope enhances the analyst's ability to see fibers over other types of light microscopes, the standard procedure does not involve identification steps which specifically determine how many of the fibers counted are actually asbestos. Because asbestos textile materials are know n to contain other types of fibers, some of the samples were analyzed by transm ission electron m icroscopy (TEM) follow ing the NIOSH 7402 preparation procedure.7 The TEM analysis method identifies asbestos fibers on the basis of m orphology, crystal structure and x-ray elemental analysis. All asbestos fibers greater than 0 .5 /jm were counted. Concentration calculations were also made in w hich only asbestos fibers longer than 5 fjm were counted. Results A sum m ary of PCM results from the tests are show n in Table I. All tests showed levels of fibers elevated over the background samples collected after cleaning and before the test. A summary of TEM results are shown in Table II. No asbestos fibers were found during Test #1 where the non-asbestos jacke t was tested. M V A0365:rpt1009 References: 1. U.S. Environm ental Protection Agency: Asbestos W aste Management Guidance. EPA-530/SW -85-007. Office of Solid W aste, W ashington, DC. (May 1985). 2. Bamber, H.A. and Butterw orth, R., Asbestos Hazard from Protective Clothing. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 13:77-80 (1970). 3. Lumley, K.P.S., Asbestos Dust Levels Inside Firefighting Helmets w ith Chrysotile Asbestos Covers. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 14: 285-286 (1971). 4. Gibbs, G .W ., Fiber Release From Asbestos Garments. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 18:143-149 (1975). 5. Samimi, B.S. and Williams, A.M ., Occupational Exposure to Asbestos Fibers Resulting From Use of Asbestos Gloves. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 4 2 :8 7 0 875(1981). 6. Carter, J .W ., Taylor, D.G., Baron, P.A.; NIOSH 74 00. National Institute of Occupational Health Manual of Analytical Methods, p. 7400-1 - 74 00-8 (1984). 7. Carter, J .W ., Baron,. P.A., Taylor D.G.; NIOSH 74 0 2 . National Institute of Occupational Health Manual of Analytical Methods, p. 7402-1 - 7402-7 (1987). M VA0365:rpt1009 Table I Summary of Results of Analyses by Phase Contrast Microscopy of Personal Air Samples Collected During Activities with Asbestos and Non-Asbestos Textile Materials Mean PCM Value f/cc Sampling Duration Test 1 Tw o workers moving material One aluminized jacket shared Test 2 One w orker moving material One asbestos apron Test 3 One w orker clapping One pair of gloves (good condition) Test 4 Tw o workers moving material Tw o pair of gloves Test 5 T w o w orkers handling an iron rod Tw o pair of gloves Test 6 Two w orkers moving material T w o pair of gloves, one apron shared Test 7 One w orker clapping One pair of gloves (torn) 0.13 30 min. 2.7 30 min. 23.4 5 min. 5.1 30 min. 3.2 30 min. 1.7 30 min. 47.6 5 min. M VA0365:rpt1009 Table II TEM Analysis Results of Selected Samples Laboratory Field ID No. Description Air Volume (liters) All Asbestos (f/cc) C4260 3 Experiment 1, Background Area Sample 729.6 < 0.005* C4266 9 Experiment 1, Personal 60.8 < 0 .0 7 * C4281 26 Experiment 2, 58.9 45 Personal C4291 36 Experiment 3, 53.7 46 Area C4294 39 Experiment 3, 9.5 173 Personal C4309 54 Experiment 4, 57 439 Personal C4311 56 Experiment 4, 57 80 Personal C4322 68 Experiment 5, 60.8 21 Personal C4324 70 Experiment 5, 60.8 22 Personal C4337 83 Experiment 6, 58.9 25 Personal C4339 85 Experiment 6, 58.9 31 Personal C4352 98 Experiment 7, 9.5 577 Personal *No Asbestos fibers detected. Single fiber detection lim its given. > 5 urn Asbestos (f/cc) < 0 .0 0 5 * < 0 .0 7 * 27 10 52 23 34 6 7 16 15 184 M VA0365:rpt1009 APPENDIX A Photographs Illustrating the Experimental Procedures M VA0365:rpt1009 Figure 1 . Aluminized jacket being fastened during Test 1. M V A0365:rpt1009 Figure 2. Carrying metal pieces while wearing ja cke t during Test 1. M VA0365:rpt1009 Figure 3. M oving fire brick while wearing jacket during Test 1. M V A 0365:rpt1009 Figure 4. M oving fire brick while wearing an asbestos apron during Test 2. M VA 0365:rpt1009 Figure 5. M oving metal pieces while wearing an asbestos apron during Test 2. M VA 0365:rpt1009 Figure 6. Clapping asbestos gloves together during Test 3. M VA0365:rpt1 009 Figure 7. Ready to move metal pieces and bricks - Test 4. M VA 0365:rpt1009 Figure 8. Sweeping - Test 4. M VA0365:rpt1 009 Figure 9. Handling the iron poker - Test 5. M VA0365:rpt1 009 Figure 10. Handling the iron poker - Test 5. M V A0365:rpt1009 Figure 11. Moving fire brick w ith gloves and apron - Test 6. M VA0365:rpt1 009 Figure 12. Gloves and apron midpoint through Test 6. M VA0365:rpt1009 Figure 13. Torn gloves prior to clapping - i est 7 M V A0365:rpt1009 Figure 14. Clapping gloves together - Test 7. M VA0365:rpt1009 Figure 15. Torn gloves after clapping - Test 7. MVA0365:rpt1 009 Figure 16. W orkers wearing protective gear and air m onitors - fro n t view . M VA0365:rpt1009 Figure 17. W orkers wearing protective gear and air m onitors - back view. M V A0365:rpt1009 APPENDIX B Phase Contrast M icroscopy (PCM) Data M VA0365:rpt1009 Summary of Phase Contrast Microscopy Results Asbestos Clothing Experiment Experiment 1 Jacket Sample # T y p e Fibers/Field Volume 1 BKG, IW A 3/1 00 729.6 2 BKG, IW A 7 /1 0 0 729.6 3 BKG, IW A 3/1 00 729.6 4 BKG, IW A 2 .5 /1 0 0 729.6 5 BKG, IW A 3 .5 /1 0 0 729.6 6 Area, IWA 22/100 343.4 (Heavy Loaded) 7 Area, IWA 16/100 343.4 8 Bill Gaumer (Pump Failed) 9 Bill Gaumer 2 2 .5 /1 0 0 60.8 10 Ed Dodd (Pump Failed) 11 Ed Dodd 13.5/100 60.8 12 Blank, OW A 0.5/100 0 Fibers/mm^ 3.5 8.2 3.5 2.9 4.1 25.9 18.8 26.5 15.9 0.6 Fibers/cc < 0 .0 0 4 < 0 .0 0 4 < 0 .0 0 4 < 0 .0 0 4 < 0 .0 0 4 0.028 0.020 0.164 0.097 N/A LOD 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.009 0.009 0.052 0.052 N/A 13 Area, OWA 0/100 14 Area, OWA 3/100 15 Area, OWA 1/100 311.2 246.8 386.3 0.0 <0.010 0.010 3.5 0.013 0.013 1.2 <0.008 0.008 OWA - Outside W ork Area IWA - Inside W ork Area N/A - Not Applicable M VA0365:rpt1009 Summary of Phase Contrast Microscopy Results Asbestos Clothing Experiment Experiment 2 Apron Sample # ly p e Fibers/Field Volume Fibers/mm^ Fibers/cc LOD 16 BKG, IWA 1/100 611.6 1.2 17 BKG, IWA 2/100 611.6 2.3 18 BKG, IWA 2/100 611.6 2.3 19 BKG, IWA 2/100 611.6 2.3 20 BKG, IWA 1.5/100 611.6 1.7 21 Area, IWA 105.5/20 332.6 621.3 22 Area, IWA 113.5/20 332.6 668.4 25 Ed Dodd (Pump Failed) 26 Ed Dodd 104.5/30 58.9 410.3 27 Blank 0/100 0 0.0 28 Area, OWA 1/100 321.9 1.2 29 Area. OWA 12.5/100 311.2 14.7 30 Area, OWA 0/100 182.4 0.0 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 0.144 0.155 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.010 0.010 2.682 N/A <0.010 0.018 <0.017 0.054 N/A 0.010 0.010 0.017 OWA IWA NA - Outside W ork Area Inside W ork Area Not Applicable M V A 0365:rpt1009 Summary of Phase Contrast Microscopy Results Asbestos Clothing Experiment Experiment 3 Glove Banging or Clapping Sample # Type Fibers/Field Volume 31 BKG, IWA 4/1 00 536.5 32 BKG, IW A 5 .5 /10 0 536.5 33 BKG, IW A 3 .5 /1 0 0 536.5 34 BKG, IW A 1.5/100 536.5 35 BKG, IW A 5 .5 /10 0 536.5 36 Area, IWA 191/20 53.7 37 Area, IWA 299/20 53.7 38 Bill Gaumer (Pump Failed) 39 Bill Gaumer 126/25 9.5 40 Blank 3/100 0.0 41 Area, OWA 0/100 53.7 42 Area. OWA 0/100 53.7 43 J. M illette (Pump Failed) 44 Area, OWA 3.5/100 193.1 F ib e rs/m m ^ 4.7 6.5 4.1 1.8 6.5 1124.9 1726.3 582.0 3.5 0.0 0.0 4.1 Fibers/cc < 0 .0 0 6 < 0 .0 0 6 < 0 .0 0 6 < 0 .0 0 6 < 0 .0 0 6 8.040 12.352 23.4 N/A < 0 .0 5 9 < 0 .0 5 9 < 0 .0 1 6 LOD 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.059 0.058 0.328 N/A 0.059 0.059 0.016 OWA IWA NA - Outside W ork Area Inside W ork Area Not Applicable M VA0365:rpt1009 Summary of Phase Contrast Microscopy Results Asbestos Clothing Experiment Experiment 4 Gloves Sample # Type Fibers/Field Volume 45 BKG, IW A 6.5/100 643.8 46 BKG, IWA 8/100 643.8 47 BKG, IW A 2/100 643.8 48 BKG, IW A 3/100 643.8 49 BKG, IW A 5.5/100 643.8 50 Area, IWA Not Analyzed 321.9 (Overloaded) 51 Area, IWA Not Analyzed 321.9 (Overloaded) 52 Blank 4/100 0 53 Bill Gaumer 143/20 84 (Heavy Loaded) 54 Bill Gaumer 118.5 /20 57 (Heavy Loaded) 55 Ed Dodd 148.5/20 84 56 Ed Dodd 113,5/25 57 (Heavy Loaded) 58 Area, OWA 4/100 321.9 59 Area, OWA 2/100 257.5 Fibers/mm^ 7.7 9.4 2.3 3.5 6.5 Fibers/cc < 0 .0 0 5 < 0 .0 0 5 < 0 .0 0 5 <0.005 <0.005 - - - 4.7 842.2 697.9 874.6 524.2 4.7 2.4 - N/A 3.839 4.685 3.987 3.541 < 0 .0 1 0 < 0 .0 1 0 LOD 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.010 0.010 N/A 0.038 0.056 0.038 0.047 0.010 0.012 OWA IWA NA - Outside W ork Area Inside W ork Area Not Applicable M VA 0365:rpt1009 Summary of Phase Contrast Microscopy Results Asbestos Clothing Experiment Experiment 5 Iron Poking Rod Sample # Type Fibers/Field Volume 60 BKG, IWA 7.5/100 536.5 61 BKG, IW A 3/100 536.5 62 BKG, IW A 3.5/100 536.5 63 BKG, IW A 3/100 536.5 64 BKG, IWA 7.5/100 536.5 65 Area, IWA 337.5/20 343.4 (Heavy Loaded) 66 Area, IWA 305/20 343.4 (Heavy Loaded) 67 Ed Dodd 112.5/20 89.6 68 Ed Dodd 113.5/20 60.8 69 Bill Gaumer 110/20 89.6 70 Bill Gaumer 108/24 60.8 71 Blank 0/100 0.0 72 Area, OWA 3.5/-100 321.9 73 Area, OWA 5/100 321.9 74 Area, OWA 0/100 321.9 Fibers/mm^ 8.8 3.5 4.04 3.5 8.8 1987.6 1796.2 649.5 655.3 635.1 579.6 0.0 4.1 5.9 0.0 Fibers/cc 0.006 < 0 .0 0 6 < 0 .0 0 6 < 0 .0 0 6 < 0 .0 0 6 2.229 2.014 2.791 4.150 2.729 3.290 N/A < 0 .0 1 0 < 0 .0 1 0 < 0 .0 1 0 LOD 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.009 0.009 0.347 0.051 0.347 0.0511 N/A 0 .0 1 0 0 .0 1 0 0 .0 1 0 OWA IWA NA - Outside W ork Area Inside W ork Area Not Applicable M VA0365:rpt1009 Summary of Phase Contrast Microscopy Results Asbestos Clothing Experiment Experiment 6 Gloves and Apron SamDle # lYP_e Fibers/Field Volume 75 BKG, IW A 8 /1 0 0 600.9 76 BKG, IW A 4 .5 /1 0 0 600.9 77 BKG, IW A 7 .5 /1 00(R) 600.9 78 BKG, IW A 3 /1 0 0 600.9 79 BKG, IW A 2 /1 0 0 600.9 80 Area, IWA 100/76 332.6 (Heavy Loaded) 81 Area, IWA 124/100 332.6 (Heavy Loaded) 82 Ed Dodd 107.5/40 86.8 (Heavy Loaded) 83 Ed Dodd 101/42 58.9 (Heavy Loaded) 84 Bill Gaumer 100/32 86.8 85 Bill Gaumer 100.5/37 58.9 86 Blank 1/100 0 87 Area, OW A 1.5/100 332.6 88 Area, OWA 12/100 321.9 89 Area, OW A 0/100 461.4 Fibers/mm^ 9.4 5.3 8.8 3.5 2.4 157.9 143.2 310.3 277.7 360.9 313.7 0.0 1.7 13.9 0.0 Fibers/cc 0.005 < 0 .0 0 5 < 0 .0 0 5 < 0 .0 0 5 < 0 .0 0 5 0.175 0.164 1.371 1.790 1.596 2.043 N/A < 0 .0 1 0 0.015 < 0 .0 0 7 LOD 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.009 0.009 0.036 0.053 0.036 0.053 N/A 0.009 0.009 0.007 OWA IWA NA - Outside W ork Area Inside W ork Area Not Applicable M V A0365:rpt1009 Summary of Phase Contrast Microscopy Results Asbestos Clothing Experiment Experiment 7 Banging Gloves II Sample # Tvoe Fibers/Field Volume 90 BKG, IW A 9/100 482.9 91 BKG, IW A 10/100 482.9 92 BKG, IW A 3.5/100 482.9 93 BKG, IW A 6/100 482.9 94 BKG, IW A 1.5/100 482.9 95 Area, IWA 199/20 53.7 96 Area, IWA 186/20 53.7 (Heavy Loaded) 97 Bill Gaumer 2 4 0/2 0 14 (Heavy Loaded) 98 Bill Gaumer 2 5 6 .5 /2 0 9.5 99 J. M illette 282.5/20 14 (Heavy Loaded) 100 Blank 2.5/100 0 101 Area, OWA 4.5/100 53.7 102 Area, OWA 0.5/100 53.7 103 Area, OWA 1.5/100 332.6 Fibers/mm^ 10.3 11.5 4.04 6.9 1.7 1149.0 1073.9 1385.7 1480.9 1631.1 2.9 5.7 0.6 1.9 Fibers/cc < 0 .0 0 6 0.008 < 0 .0 0 6 < 0 .0 0 6 < 0 .0 0 6 8.217 7.679 38.029 59.904 44.778 N/A < 0 .0 6 4 < 0 .0 6 4 < 0 .0 1 0 LOD 0.006 0.007 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.058 0.058 0.222 0.328 0.222 N/A 0.064 0.064 0.010 OWA IWA NA - Outside W ork Area Inside W ork Area Not Applicable M VA0365:rpt1009