Document 70JwNzRw1oDDoeEQVV3keXQXB

V XI. HAZARDS. XI - 1 Hazards Toxicity There are many literature references*to harmful effects of the type of "chlor acne" resulting from exposure to chlorinated diphenyls, especially in cases where people working with small electrical com ponents have been exposed to the fumes of hot, highly chlorinated, Aroclors. Chlor acne is sometimes accompanied by gastric troubles, and there are literature references to liver troubles. There was some trouble of this kind among the production workers at Anniston in the early days of the development of the Aroclors. At that time highly chlorinated Aroclors were being made from diphenyl which had come from low grade benzene. Since good benzene has been used, the same Aroclors have been made without trouble. In March 1959 it was reported that the Anniston diphenyl and Aroclor plants had run 12 years without lost time accident. Prom the start of Aroclor manufacture at the Krummrich plant the operators have been supplied a clean change of clothes every day, and time has been allowed at the end of the shift for bathing. Operators are advised to wash hands and face before eating. The Anniston operators do not have the same issue of clean clothes. * Percy May, "Chemistry of Synthetic Drugs" , 3rd edition, page 19, The "Chemist Analyst", September 19**7, Volume 36, No.2 page 33, and a report by Dr. M. C. Lester, Anniston plant, 1957, give data on the toxicity of diphenyl. MCC Bulletin P-ll^/^eniions^TB^to 1.0 mg. per cbm in air as the highest safe concentration of higher Aroclors, and 10 rtg. lor more'highly chlorinated Aroclors. H. B. Edkins "Chemistry of Industrial Toxicology", page x '$h gives 0.5 to 1.0 mg, as the allowable limit in working rooms. The MCC Bulletin "Physical Properties of Aroclors" mentions sys temic effects arising from the oral injection of Aroclors. See the letters, E. Mather to P.J.C.Haywood, December 17, 1951, and Mather to Newman, January 8, 1952, reviewing the literature on 'he toxicity of Aroclors. See also correspondence relating to the article in Chem. & Eng. News May 17, 195**, pages 2038 and the warning labels mentioned or. page VI-3** above. NEV 024885 738140 XI. HAZARDS, contd. XI - 2 Hazards St. Louis -Main Office Mr. P. J. C. Haywood Newport (Ai rmai1) Mr. W. E Mr. W. H Dr. H. R Mr. S. M Dr. D. S Mr. P. T Hamer Ruabon Ritchie Ruabon Newman Ruabon Kulifay, Krummrich Weddell St. Louis Marshall St. Loul December 11 1951 AROCLORS: .-TOXICITY Since writing to you on December 5rd I have come across a letter of mine to Mr. W. M. Cooper, London, June 2^, 19^8, (copies to W.D.S., W.H.O., and others), calling attention to an article in the J. T. Baker Company's "Chemist Analyst", Volume 26, No. 2, page 55 September 19^7. I attach a copy of this article, and I think you will agree that the warning relates only to really bad exposure, not such as should occur in ordinary analytical work. On October 27, 19^7 Mr. Barbre of the Krummrich plant sent a copy of the Journal to Dr. Jenkins at Anniston for comment. Dr. Jenkins did not make any comments at the time, but the following extract from Mr, Barbre's ietter is inter* esting: "During the 11 years of production here only one man evidenced dermatitis. He had also shown similar symptoms in several other departments. When making Aroclor #1270 which is flaked, a noticeable amount of fine fume solidifies in the air. If men are exposed to it during hot humid weather, the skin is irritated, but we have not had any difficulty in curing cases of dermatitis from it". NEV 024886 E. Mather 738141 XI - HAZARDS, contd. XI - 5 Hazards The Chemist Analyst, Vol. 56, No. 2, page 55# J. T. Baker Chemical Co., Philllpsburg, N. J. September 19^7 ON THE TOXICITY OP THE "AROCHLORS" (sic) Robert M. Brown, Chief Industrial Hygiene Section, Division of Health Dept, of Public Welfare, City of St.Louis, Mo. A recently published article (Maglio, M. Martin, Chemist Analyst, 94' (I9jl6) ), has recommended the substitution of one of the "Arochlors" as the melting-point bath liquid in preference to the customary sulphuric acid. As stated in that article "Arochlors" are a group of chlorinated diphenyls produfced by the Monsanto Chemical Company. There is need therefore to give warning. For the toxicity of these compounds has been repeatedly demonstrated, both from the standpoints of their absorption from the inspired air, as well as from their effects in producing a serious and disfiguring dermatitis when allowed to remain in contact with the skin. Since these effects have been repeatedly observed, industrial hygienists have taken care to see that the proper controls have been established wherever these products are used. For example, the maximum allowable concentration of chlorinated diphenyl for an 8-hour working day is 1 milligram per cubic meter of air. It is probable that nothing like an uncontrolled industrial expo sure will occur in the laboratory. However, whether an individual is subjected to a possible acute exposure to chlorinated diphenyl, and its serious consequences, will depend upon the size of the melting-point bath, the caution with which it is used, and the temperature to which It may be heated. Likewise, with careless handling of the material and the resulting contamination of the skin, clothing, laboratory towels, work table surfaces, etc. the way is left open for the producing of dermatitis. Scrupulous cleanliness must be insisted upon wherever this material is handled. The foregoing remarks have been prompted by the belief that in re commending the use of a material with which is associated a potential hazard from the health standpoint, it is very important that the possible consequences be presented together with recommendations for correct handling. NEV 02*88? 738142 X I . HAZARDS, contd. X] - i| Hazards Mr, A. C. W. Pennington of Newport, reporting on his American tour, December 29, 1950, page 5, writes: "HEALTH AND SAFETY "At Anniston, no special protective clothing is provided for the Diphenyl and Aroclors operators. A daily change of clothing was provided in the past but this practice ceased before the war. Qauntlet leather gloves and face shields are, of course, available as required on the plant, " Tins of cold cream ointment, theatrical quality, are to hand in the building, but the application of the cream is left to the operator's decision of the job in question. The men are expected to take a bath, in their own time, at the end of the shift. A good quality soap, and alcohol for rubbing down purposes, are provided. The operators are sufficiently trained in the need for personal cleanliness that a record of bath taking is not warranted. "Emergency showers are provided on each floor of the Diphenyl building and safety notices are widely used. "At St. Louis, Plant B, the Aroclors building is rated a toxic department. Each operator is provided with a complete set of clothing comprising hat, coat, trousers, combination under clothes, socks and rubber shoes. A clean change of clothing, except shoes, is placed in the operator's locker in time for the following shift. Men working extra shifts are given a clean set of clothing. Canvas gloves and goggles are provided and 'Ply' hand barrier cream Is available for use when necessary. "Twenty minutes' paid time is allotted for bathing at the end of the shift but, again, no record is kept that baths are actually taken. Theoretically, food is not allowed to be eaten within the Aroclors building. Instructions are issued that hands and face should be washed well before eating. "Employees in toxic departments are given an annual medical examination and a lung X-ray every three years.". f NEV 024688 738143 XI - 5 Hazards XJ. HAZARDS, contd. Toxicity, contd. A good deal of work has been done on determination of the vapour pressure of the Aroclors, and on the determination of/concentration of Aroclors in air. See pages 9-, Section III, above, for a summary of this work. In 1950 (letter April 20, N. P, Rapps to E. Mather) the Admiralty expressed interest in the determination of micro-quantities of Aroclors. MCC have a method for the determination of traces in air by means of the "Halidometer". Mr. Ellenburg, March 1 5 , 195^, mentions work done by H. B. Richards Jr., of MCC, June 17, 1955* on the determination of the concentration of Aroclors in air. Mr. Ellenburg also states: "------ work on the safe limits of Aroclor vapour concen tration in air is being carried on by the Medical Department at the Kettering Laboratories in Cincinnati. This work on animals is well under way, and will help us to know a little better just what is the safe limit of Aroclor Vapours that one might work in." A question has been asked about the possible harm to plants if Aroclor containing paints are used in greenhouses. The reply is that most paints are somewhat harmful, and there is no evidence that Aroclors make them worse. Aroclors have been used as rabbit repellants, with out doing any harm to vegetation. Care is needed in laboratories etc. where Aroclors are used in heating baths; there should be very positive ventilation. The vapours of hot Aroclors are distinctly irritating to eyes and nose above a concentration of about 5 mg per cbm in air. Newport plant report for December 1951 records burns by hot Aroclor - - a case of a splash into a man's eye -- without serious damage. Packages of Aroclors leaving the Krummrich plant bear a label calling attention to possible toxic effects. NEV 024889 738144 XI. HAZARDS, contd. XI - 6 Hazards Fire Hazards Diphenyl, of course, will burn, and reasonable care is needed in handling it. Precautions with toluene are mentioned also on pages VI-29, and under "Special Risks", below. The Aroclors are handled as if non-inflammable. Drums of material are melted in the middle of the operating building, by open gas flames, and open gas flames are freely used to heat pipe lines. An instruction, dated April 28, 19^8, calls for a dally inspection of safety showers, fire extinguishers and gas masks, a check list being provided. Flanged joints on Aroclor heating system can be a source of fume. See the notes on gaskets, page 2, Section XII, below. Phosgene may be generated in electrical flashes and fires in trans formers containing Aroclors, but this is not thought to be a major ri sk. Safety Equipment Each operator in the Krummrich Aroclor plant is supplied with goggles, rubber covered gloves, canvas gloves, rubber shoes and fume respirator See also page XI-1. A spare suit of clothes is kept in a case in the department. The department has the usual first aid cabinet, gas masks (chlorine), fire extinguisher, (toluene, diphenyl), stretcher, safety showers, drinking fountain, eye bath. Special Risks The usual care is necessary in dealing with chlorine, in lighting the gas furnaces, and in handling hot materials, steam lines etc. Diphenyl might start to burn in chlorine gas if conditions in the chlorinator were badly out of line. A DaviB "Vapotester", model M-l, Type A, (Division of Davis Emergency Equipment Co., Inc,, Newark, N.J.) is held in the department for use in testing the air of the working building after toluene has been used, and for testing vessels before men are permitted to enter, and before "flame certificates" are given. The instrument contains a NEV 024890 738145 r XI - 7 Hazards XI. HAZARDS, contd. Special Risks, contd. catalytic cell electrically heated to a fixed temperature, and the air to be tested is aspirated through it by means of a "squeeze ball". If combustible vapours are present, the temperature of the cell rises, and the indicating thermocouple registers on a cali brated scale. The instrument has a zero adjustment, and it is checked twice a month by the instrument department. Flame certificates must give the number of the Vapotester used, also the data of its last cali bration by the instrument department. The instrument has been use ful in detecting gas escapes, and in tracing spills of gasoline, etc., from a neighbouring oil refinery into a public sewer which runs under Monsanto territory. Mr. Benignus, of St. Louis, September 1953 discussed the dangers of using Aroclors in indoor paints. He discounted the possible dangers from phosgene formed by flash discharges in transformers charged with Aroclors. See the references to safe handling of glycidyl phenyl ether on pages IX-161 etc. NEV 024891 738146