Document DMKvZ20o2JzoLOpj492p4mDra

DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A. September 17, 1982 Jane Watkins Building 1901 cc: Charlie Halphen - 3502-E Jim Heaslip - 1901 Joe Granier - 807 LOUISIANA DIVISION P O BOX ISO PLAOUEMINE LOUISIANA 70764*0150 504 369-8000 PERSONNEL BREATHING ZONE SAMPLES DURING HOUSEKEEPING PROCEDURES IN THE TALC ADDITIVE ROOM AT CPE Summary The operations technicians (OT) were monitored for potential exposure (dust respirators worn) to non-asbestos form talc during housekeeping procedures in the additive room at CPE. The housekeeping procedure was selected to be monitored because it appeared to be the activity creating the highest airborne concentration of non-asbestos form talc. The personnel samples collected were all but one in excess of the Threshold Limit Value of 6.6 milligrams per cubic meter for total non-asbestos form talc and 3.3 milligrams per cubic meters for respirable non-asbestos form talc. (See data attachment.) It should be noted that the data as of this report is rather limited, but due to the obvious housekeeping problem, corrective action should be taken. Additional monitoring of the additive room work procedures will be conducted to better characterize personnel exposure levels. It is recommended that engineering controls be investigated to: 1) reduce excessive potential dust exposures which will eliminate the need for respirators and 2) improve housekeeping. Sampling and Analytical The personnel breathing zone samples were obtained by using a Millipore 0.8 micron PVC matched weight filter attached to a Bendix Dust Cyclone Model 99 in line to a DuPont, Model P-2500, constant flow sampling pump. The pumps were calibrated before and after sampling at a flow rate of = 2.0 liters per minute. The samples were analyzed gravimetrically. AN OPt RATING UNIT OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY 2- - Results (See data attachment) The results of sampling the OT housekeeping Job at the CPE talc additive room indicated a high potential for over expo sure to non-asbestos form talc. Conclusion Engineering controls should be investigated to reduce air borne non-asbestos form talc dust levels during housekeeping operations to prevent possible overexposure to the personnel as well as to improve general housekeeping in the area. Terry Campbell Division Industrial Hygiene Attachment sb Mark Ryland Plastics Dept. Industrial Hygiene Personnel Breathing Zone Samples for Non-Asbestos Form Talc at CPE Units = Mg/m^ TLV = Respirator Dust -3.3 Mg/m3 TLV - Total Dust = 6.6 Mg/m3 SamDle # 3623 362 4 3625 Job Class or or or Time (Min.) 390 240 120 Volume (1) 780 528 240 Non-Respirable Dost 67.9 6.9 63.5 Respirable Dust >51.3* 2.3 >28.3* Total Dust 119-2 9.2 91.8 *Due to the high dust levels and the high efficiency of the filter (0.8p, ) used for respirable dust collection the sample filters were overloaded. 9/17/82 0 /** & .i a?Y % 3 *~p/*~* /r^-***f /,, HI DO 080373 CONFIDENTIAL