Document DMZmKRkBZbq59XEOrBGo58ZXN

t . INTERNAL CORRESPONDENCI: (2)12. 808792 UNION CARBIDE CHEMICALS COMPANY INSTITUTE PLANT P. 0 BOX .i3l, UI'WUSMN, V.CI VIRGI.'IH 1A i lOloi'OS Mr. C. J. Ratcliffe Industrial Relations Anl* 20 July 1962 O*i0no/ing Drpl. Medical Department - Plant 512 Answering feller dole Copy (4 Mr. L. N. Dickinson Mr. G. H. Daniels Mr. N. S. Eastman Mr. R. A. Huber Mr. B. F. King Mr. F. B. Snyder Dr. C. U. Dernehl Dr. E. M. Best Mr. E. G. Heinz Mr. P. E. Henry Mr. R. A. Neal Mr. D. R. Matheny-^ Mr. N. H. Ketcham . Insulation Block Dust Survey Construction Insulation Shop Plant 511 Enclosed Is an industrial hygiene report by Mr. R. E. Peele on the potential hazardousness of "new and improved" "Thermobestos" insulation blocks submitted by the manufacturer for evaluation by band sav processing in the Construction Department's Insulation Shop. The report points out that the three "nev and improved" sample blocks, subjected to test conditions identical vlth those in use and reported upon in March of this year, are an improvement somewhat, but these blocks too, release quantities of asbestos dust particles into the working environment considerably above the acceptable safe limits (l.e., theT.L.V.). Therefore, definitely, the processing of "new and improved" blocks also constitute a hazard to health. Mr. Peele recommends that "Thermobestos" blocks not be processed In the Construction Department Insulation Shop until they meet acceptable standards and I concur fully. Very truly yours, RJS:ei Enclosure H. &< Sexton, M.D. Plant Medical Director 808793 INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SURVEY CONSTRUCTION INSULATION SHOP - BUIIJING 511-2018 REPORT 62-IH-2-G-1 SUMMARY: In March of this year, following an industrial hygiene survey, it vno recommended that band saw fabrication of "Thermobestos" insulation blocks in the Construction Department Insulation Shop at Plant 512 should cease completely and permanently unless the blocks, or the dust control techniques used in fabricating the blocks, are improved so that atmospheric dust concentrations are found to be within acceptable safe limits. In the following month of April, three new "Thermobestos" insulation blocks were submitted to Plnnt 511 for evaluation under environmental conditions Identical with those experienced heretofore. Critical analysis of the data obtained on this more recent survey revealed the existence of some degree of improvement in the du3t contamination associated with the fabrication of these particular "Thermobestos" insulation blocks. However, the magnitude of the improvement did not reduce the atmospheric dust concentrations to within the recommended safe acceptable limits of 20 mppcf (million particles per cubic foot) of air. Therefore, the recommendations remain exactly as those stated in the report of the survey of March, 1962*. INTRODUCTION: It was established unquestionably, in an industrial hygiene report submitted in March of this year, i.e., Report 62-IH-l-G-l, that an inhalation hazard to health is produced within the Construction Insulation Chop whenever "Thermobestos" insulation blocks are fabricated. Furthermore, it vns reconraended also that the fabrication of "Thermobestos" insulation blocks should cease until at least one of the following two conditions are met: First, that the atmospheric dust problem is reduced to below 20 mppcf of air through the use of ventilation, etc., or, second, that, if a new Insulation block should be manufactured by the producer of "Thermobestos" blocks that, it would be subjected to testing under identical conditions as before thereby establishing the fact that it will not release, upon fabrication with a band saw, dust concentrations in excess of 20 mppcf of air. The Industrial Hygiene Department's recommendations met exact c> nii.1 Jnncc by those responsible persons in the Construction Insulation Chop, in that no "Thermobestos" insulation blocks have been fabricated with band caws for un In this plant rlnce the date of the issuance of these recommendations. However, sora: change in procedure was indicated when, on 25 April 1%2, this department van contacted by Mr. D. P. Matheny, General Foreman of `he Insulation Gh->p. At that time, Mr. Matheny request''! an ovnlnit ' n of a new "Th'-nrobcrtl.o-" insulation block which had been developed by Uv* r.mufactm, in an efront to comply wtth the specifications n3 stated in Uv o:il part of tlt<: abo.e listed recommendations. "In MilaT ion jOoek Dust Survey, Construction Insulation. Shop, PLant 51i > Report i'2-lH-L-G-l. 808794 I)IikU:?;'<IUN: Mr. Mathcny's request for services was immediately acted upon at which time two basic decisions were made: First, Friday, the 27th of April, would be the most opportune time for obtaining the information needed in the performance of this evaluation and, second, two atmospheric dust samples of each condition should be obtained with each one being taken in identical locations so as to provide greater reliability. These sampling plans had to be altered somewhat, however, on the 9ite, when it was discovered that the manufacturer had provided only three insulation blocks each of which differed in the precise manner in which it had been produced*. TliIn shortage of material, with identical characteristics, complicated the sampling nud evaluation procedures somewhat, since it was impossible, therefore, to obtain more than one sample of atmospheric du3t being produced by any one material (in actuality, a total of only three atmospheric dust samples were collected during the te6t period). However, this complication was not so severe as to render the sample data of no use, as is revealed in the condensed explanation of the sampling procedure selected on this date which Is as follows: First: The data contained on page 8 of Report 62-IH-l-b-l revealed clearly that the greatest concentrations of atmospheric dust were produced at the band saws, and that location #3> i.e., //2 band caw while sawing, definitely provided the greatest hazard to health. Consequently each of the three samples, under consideration in thl3 report, i.e., 62-IH-2-G-1, were taken at this same location. Second: All of the results revealed in the preceding report, i.e., 62-ilt-l-G-l, were obtained during the late fall and winter, therefore, the doors to the building were closed for purposes of heat conser vation. These environmental conditions were duplicated during the performance of this second survey. Third: The operator of the jf*2 band saw employed sawing techniques - as nearly identical with those in evidence during the preceding periods of evaluation as were possible to duplicate, i.e., position of the block with respect to the saw blade, speed of fe- ling the block Into the saw blade, position of the operator's heal with respect to the block, etc. Fourt'n: Each of the dust samples obtained during the 1.'me -f performing the initial survey were held in the operator's br<"<ithlr..; rrne. Tills fcatuv* was also duplicated for thin second survey, i.- .. ''2-111-2-0-1. K.`I MAT 1 ijri; Kich of i'li'* throe samples collected wore evnlunt-'vl in the V'b....itory In ncror.l'irv' wi!h recoin-rended and prescribe! light field mlrru.te counting techniques an referred to and identified tn Hcport bP-IH-1-0-1 . it- should be noted tint no effort was expended to obtain anything more thin 1 knowledge of the corir,*ntratien of dust in the air since the composition aid particle rire- of this notorial should not be expected to deviate to any b i.'roo from th- prior recorded values. This supposition was based on two facts, (l) the 'in noconlnuco with Inonuntion received from the manufacturer eacTi block .is composed cf identically the can'* materials and was formed in the same general manner, I.e., by th" "Fan f'ethed". However, the similarity in pi eduction differ'"'I f: n her" on 'Mh the iimiufnctur.'r being the only one In poss-'seion of the exact d or."s Me Lon and '-he specific alterations incorporated in each method. 80879 3- ciuinicul link-1 up of these materials was reported, as being Identical with the "Thcnnobestos" materials reported on in the prior surrey and, (2) the sawing techniques utilized on both occasions were identical in nature. mOCEOURKS: Doth sampling and analytical methods were identical in detail with those described In the earlier report, with sampling being accomplished through the use of the Mine Safety Appliance Company's Midget Implnger Pump and Apparatus and the analysis taking place in accordance with light field microscopic counting techniques. F.KoULTo: Analysis of the physical data contained on page 5 reveals that the atmospheric dust concentration in rappef (million particles per cubic foot) of air for each of the three new materials was (a) 36.8 mppcf of air for J.M. #21, (b) 48.1 mppcf of air for J.M.#22, and (c) 44.1 mppcf of air for J.M. #23* CONCLUSIONS: (1) None of these three samples revealed a concentration a3 high as that recorded in the previous report for "Thermobestos" exposures in this position, i.e., 101.4 mppcf of air for Location #3. However, by the same token, none of the present three samples revealed a concentration as low as that recorded for "Kaylo" exposures in this position, i.e., 17.1 mppcf of air for Location #3. (2) Each of the three values exceeded the established T.L.V. (Threshold Limit Value) of 20 mppcf of air by a substantial amount. (j) None of the three Insulation materials, i.e., J.M.#21, J.M.#22, and J.M.//23, a3 submitted by the manufacturer of "Thermoboston", should bo fabricated with band saws in the Insulation Shop by our employees unless the manufacturer complies exactly with the following conditions: The physical and/or chemical characteristics and composition of these materials are improved to the degree that some further (future evaluation might reveal them to be incapable of releasing concentrations of dust into the atmosphere that are in excess of the T.L.V. ijijj MMi myru wi: Do net fabricate the lQ" x 36" x 4" "Thermobestos" insulation bLeeks (J.m7/?21, J.M.#22, J.M.#23) with existing equipment unloos - (l) The producer of this material can further improve hln pr>Iuct. to th" point Mint it will not release, upon fabrication with our vntilated band saws, dust concentrations in excess of 20 mppcf of air, or, 8U87yb u. (2) The atmospheric dust problem can be reduced to below 20 mppcf of air through the use of improved ventilation techniques, or other safeguarding measures. REP:gl 15 July 1962 VJ ^l \ Submitted by: C Tft Q; . Robert E, Pcele Industrial Hygienist v INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SURVEY EVALUATION OF ATMOSPHERIC DUST CONCENTRATIONS AT THE CONSTRUCTION INSULATION SHOP 808797 Atmospheric Dust Concentration Data on Three "Thermobeatoa" Materials As Collected vlth the Midget' Lnplnger Pump and Apparatus TYPE OF DUST MATERIAL JM #21 JM #22 JM #23 - >' LOCATION Rate In cfra Time in Min. SAMPLE Vol. Blank in # Dilution C.F. Particles Factor Count Particles Cone. In mppcf of Air #2 Band Saw, Breathing 0.1 10 "Level of Operator 1.0 0.3 100 9^.8 36.8 Same as Above Same as Above 0.1. 10 1.0 0.1- 10 -1.0 8-3 8.3 250 57-8 200 65.O 40.1 44.1 J*S**S*'-