Document 7OKQLaqam9vqmZnJpwbR6jx4g
DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A.
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LOUISIANA DIVISION P. O. BOX 160
PLAQUEMINE. LOUISIANA 70764
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INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE REPORT
SUMMARY The asbestos in air monitoring for 1978 has been completed in the Chlor-Alkali II block. Survey results were satisfactory and well below the acceptable threshold limit value of 2 fibers per cubic centimeter of air.
Only three (3) of thirty-three samples recorded above 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter of air. Due to the low results obtained in routine time weighted sampling, it is recommended that short duration excursion sampling be emphasized in the future surveys.
Good Housekeeping, strict safe operating procedures and a constant vigil for problem areas are the most important considerations for a successful abatement program. Employees must be informed of the survey results and must review the consequences of over-exposure to asbestos fibers. (See Attachment No. 2)
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"mS TRIBUT ION LOUISIANA
v/G, W. Daigre R. W. Cochran
E. P. Edwards L. G. Witty Medical File (2) G. H. Watkins C. L. Melancon M. F. Currier LAD CRI (10)
" 2501 - 3601 " 3701 " 3601 - 2303
- 2306 - 4701 - 2303 - 2507
MIDLAND
R. D. Olson - 607
L. W. Rampy - 1803
D. J. Roberts - 2020
M. Swank
- 1803
CRI(6)
- 566
*F. D. Axe - Pittsburg *R. L. Daniel - Freeport (B-101) *S. A. Goode - OCD *R. J. McCormick - Strongsville *Neil Murray - Sarnia
* SUMMARY ONLY
AN OPERATING UNIT OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
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INTRODUCTION
The required asbestos in air monitoring has been completed for 1978. The employees were monitored in each area of the plant to determine levels of exposure to asbestos fibers. (This survey included those areas not associated with asbestos handling or usage to validate the judgment that no problems exist in these areas.) The two major areas of concern are the cell operators' exposure during cell pulping and the asbestos storage area.
DISCUSSION
In addition to everyday safety equipment, operators are required to wear disposable paper suits, rubber gloves and proper dust respirators when handling or working with asbestos. The Chloi Alkali II procedure for handling asbestos and pulping cells should be discussed with each new cell operator and reviewed annually with the experienced operators as a part of the ongoing Industrial Hygiene Education Program.
EXPERIMENTAL
Sampling Method
Personnel samples are collected from the operators breathing zone with a millipore filter (37 mm diameter, 0.8 micron pore size) mounted on an open face filter holder and attached to the operator's lapel. These cassettes were connected to monitoring pumps calibrated with a soap bubble meter to operate at a range of 1.7 to 2.0 liters per minute.
Area samples are collected utilizing the same equipment and method as the personnel samples. Sampling pumps were located approximately ten feet downwind from the asbestos storage area and approximately five feet above the ground.
Analytical
After obtaining the sample on the millipore filter, a four-square-grid section is cut from the exposed filter and placed atop a drop of clear mounting solution. The sample is centered on a microscope slide, covered with a cover slip, and allowed approximately fifteen minutes to clear up before the fiber counting may begin. (The mounting solution is prepared by placing 3 ml each of diethyl oxalate and dimethyl phthalate in a con tainer with 0.6 g of ground up plain white millipore filter paper which dissolves into a clear solution in approximately three days.)
The samples are magnified 500 times with the Reichert Zetopan optical microscope using the Nomarski interference contrast. All fiberB over 5 microns in length with a 3:1 length to width ratio are counted as fibers (only one of the four squares is selected for a fiber count),
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After the square grid is selected to be counted, twelve passes a^e re quired with the microscope to cover the entire square. To obtain the fibers/cc concentration (greater than 5 microns in length), the following calculation is used.
Fibers/cc = fiber count (>5 microns in length) X sizing factor (92) for filter cc of air (sampling time in minutes x flow rate of pump)
Standards are compared with other locations to confirm the integrity of the counting and analytical determination of fibers present.
RESULTS (see attachment)
Monitoring results indicate all samples were well below the threshold limit value of 2 fibers greater than 5 microns in length per cubic centimeter. The three highest results, of the thirty samples analyzed in the survey, exceeded 0.01 fibers but were less than 0.02 fibers per cubic centimeter. The remaining samples all recorded less than 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that short term excursion sampling be emphasized in future surveys to better identify any potentially high exposure situations.
CONCLUSIONS
The monitoring results were satisfactory and well below the established threshold limit value of two fibers per cubic centimeter. However, due to the hazardous nature of asbestos, strict housekeeping practices and good safe operating procedures remain the most important considerations for a good abatement program. This must be a daily job-by-job program to be successful and to offer the greatest protection to employees.
The Chlor-Alkali employees must be informed of this survey's results and the consequences of overexposure must be reviewed. (See attachment 2)
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Attachment 2
CONSEQUENCES OF OVEREXPOSURE
COMPOUND: asbestos EXPOSURE LIMIT: 2 fibers/cc, ^5 microns in length
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ODOR: none
EYES: CONTACT WITH the dust can cause irritation similar to that
CAUSED BY SIMILAR FOREIGN BODIES,.
INGESTION:
some evidence indicates that swallowed asbestos may
increase chances of stomach cancer,
DUST INHALATION:
SHORT TERM:
INHALATION OF HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF THE DUST MAY CAUSE MODERATE DISCOMFORT. INHALATION OF MODERATELY HIGH CONCENTRATIONS MAY CAUSE DISCOMFORT,
LONG TERM:
INHALATION OF THE ASBESTOS FIBERS IN CONJUNCTION WITH SMOKING HAS BEEN SHOWN TO INCREASE CHANCES OF LUNG CANCER BY ABOUT 90 TIMES THAT OF A PERSON WHO NEITHER SMOKES NOR WORKS WITH ASBESTOS. CAN ALSO CAUSE A SERIOUS LUNG DISEASE CALLED ASBESTOSIS. CAN ALSO CAUSE CANCER OF THE CHEST LINING.
COMMENTS: proper, respirator is required when working with asbestos.
BSHorvath 6/22/76