Document 6bg3n8ERdmxa1y23JGMLJJRam

>'<* 3' J>4(L yXS'&Zt. A &jUP To: Mr. Peter Barna XL. Am*** 4>i<*/., MEMORANDUM itfcvcSli VtA* Copy To: Dr. B. H. Avashia Mr. C. W. Carman Mr. C. V. Evans Mr. R. G. Hull, Jr. Mr. G. F. Hurley Mr. S. E. Illikainen Mr. E. H. Kivett, Jr. Mr. H. C. McGinnis Mr. D. R. Morgan Mr. G. F. Morris Mr. D. R. Paugh Mr. R. E. Peele Mr. E. C. Powell, Jr. Dr. R. J. Sexton Mr. F. Williams 1 V'j ,bM-& From: H. H. Frazier Date: March 15, 1979 Subject: Use of AMATEX Asbestos Tape in Plant 512 Memorandum dated March 13, 1979 from Mr. McGinnis to Mr. Kivett relates concerns expressed by Dr. Sexton regarding asbestos dust conditions generated by application of a type woven asbestos tape. Industrial Hygiene responded to this communication by making certain inquiries and inspecting the subject material along with tape supplied by other vendors. Three brands of two-inch wide insulating tape are presently supplied and used at the Institute Plant. Basic comments relative to each are: 1. FORTEX webbing is made in England and contains a dust suppressant. The material may be asbestos free but is difficult to apply and may often result in a less than effective insulating job. 2. NOVATEX tape is a product of RM Industrial Products. The asbestos fibers appear to be well contained by sizing material and the tape is easily applied. 3. AMATEX woven tape is a product of Mexico supplied by AMATEX, Incorporated. The tape contains raw asbestos fibers of various lengths including dust. Potential for exposure to asbestos is ever-present from unpackaging, storage, application, usage and finally removal. Mr. Peter Barna -2- March 15, 1979 Mr. Powell has Indicated that asbestos tape is not a specification item and since he is of the opinion that its usage should be minimized he will investi gate the availability of substitute materials. Our measurements on previous occasions involving application and handling of dust suppressed asbestos tape does not indicate excessive personal exposure. Mr. Hurley's group has made three measurements where the AMATEX tape was used at the Technical Center. The results ranged between 0.03 and 1.9 fibers per cc of air. Although these values do not exceed the present standards, more extensive usage at plant locations could result in significant problems. The current OSHA standards state that, "No employee shall be exposed at any time to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers in excess of 10 fibers, longer than five micrometers, per cubic centimeter of air." The eight-hour time-weighted-average (TWA) exposure limit is two fibers and a further reduction to 0.1 fiber per cc has been proposed. Conversation with Mr. Thompson of the Purchasing Group indicates that present stocking of tape insulation material is a matter of availability rather than cost savings. The fact that AMATEX tape is included in the current in ventory does, however, present a problem. Plant 512 Industrial Hygiene believes the following statements to be pertinent: First: AMATEX asbestos tape is not a quality product in terms of personal protection from exposure to asbestos fibers. It does not contain the-necessary dust and fiber release suppressant to avoid fibers becoming airborne. The potential problem is not only current but exposure to the elements will likely increase the potential. Second: Although personal exposure measurements have not been made at this loca tion of employees working with AMATEX tape, observation and inspection of the material indicates the degree of expected problems. Costs associated with Industrial Hygiene monitoring of exposure situations and Medical Depart ment monitoring of exposed employees would exceed any savings in material procurement and warrant efforts to obtain a suitable material or an acceptable substitute. In view of the above. Industrial Hygiene recommends that AMATEX no longer be purchased for Plant 511 Construction usage or dispensing within the limits of Plant 512. Consideration should be given to disposal of the current stock of AMATEX and application be restricted to NOVATEX tape where this type of material is necessary until an acceptable asbestos-free substitute becomes available. HHF:mc