Document DavbXZ7ZEXmnb0Vm16DMndxQ

FILE NAME: General Motors (GM) DATE: 1976 Sept 28 DOC#: GM074 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Letter from GE Industrial Hygiene to Circle Buick RE Asbestos with Data Report IN IM'STKIAI, KKI.ATIONS STAKK O K N K U A I , M O T O K S CllKl'ilUATI ON Reference No. 7564-l Mr. Vi. McCrocklin Manager Circle 3uick 550 w. 59th Street New York, New York September 28, 197 6 Dear Mr. McCrocklin: w' On December 8 and 9, 197 3 a survey was made at Circle Suick, New York City, to determine the nature and extent of employe exposures to asbestos, solvent vapor, and carbon monoxide. Pertinent matters were discussed with Messrs, w. McCrocklin, S. ?. Kirchoff, w. Rcinmann, c. Scarborough, S. Reese, and w. McRorie. The survey was conducted by the writer. Results of air tests were reported b y telephone; on February 4, 1976. jbestO!| In response to ajn alert issued on August 8, 1975 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health indi cating a potential health hazard for persons exposed to asbestos during the servicing of motor vehicle brake and clutch assemblies, air tests were made to evaluate the extent of employe exposure during the following various brake operations: (1) State of N e w York annual motor vehicle inspections; and (2) routine brake servicing. At thid location after wheels were removed, residual dust was dumped-out and, where needed, brake components removed and replaced. At no'time was dust removed by blowing with compressed ft? ' 1 tr. w. McCroeklin -2- / September 28. 1976 / / The OSHA Asbestos Standard stipulates that employe expo sures to asbestos shall not exceed the eight-hour, time- weighted average of 2 fibers greater than 5 micrometers in Length per cubic centimeter of air sampled (fibers/cc). At so time can employe exposures exceed the ceiling limit of *LO fibers/cc. In order to relate asbestos exposure during various phases o f brake service operation to the ceiling exposure limit, several air samples of short duration (the actual length of the operation) were collected. Past experience has shown that test results from these kinds of air samples tend to be higher than time-weighted averages. The results of air tests indicated that most exposures, were below the prescribed OSHA limits. Although Tests 1 anfL L4 approach and Test 2 exceeds the current accepted perreis-'f sible exposure level, these exposures persisted for only a short period. When extrapolated over an eight-hour workday, the time-weighted averages are considerably lower. Thus, it appears reasonable that all time-weighted asbestos exposures were within accepted limits. Ho changes are required. Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Review * Commission clarified the question of which employes should receive OSHA-required medical examinations. The Commission ruled that examinations must bo administered to employes who nave any exposure to asbestos. Or. R. G. Wiencek, GM Medical birector, has requested that Dr. H. A. Pace, G M Building, Hew York City, be contacted to make whatever additional arrange ments may be necessary. w. McCrocklin 3 September 28, 1976 * niIts of Tests for Asbestos t Asbestos >,_____________ Employe and/or Operation________________ Fibers/cc p following air tests were made while performing a required ; York state brake inspection on a 1976 Buick Regal. All pts were made concurrently. Sampling time - S minutes. L. Rosenrweig (107-20-1566) . Brake mechanic who removed wheel, dumped dust, visually examined linings, and replaced wheels. 1.8 Test made at same location and at same time as Test 1, above. ' 4.9;' General Condition (GC) measured at right rear wheel. *ND GC measured at right front wheel. NO GC measured at left front wheel. 0.9 GC measured at left rear wheel. 0.9 Sample lost. following air tests were made while employe removed the brake ngs from an Opel. * All tests were made concurrently, ling time - 12 minutes unless otherwise indicated. GC measured at left rear wheel NO GC measured at left front wheel. NO GC measured at right rear wheel. 0.4 R. Forbes (074-50-5880). Brake mechanic who removed linings from all four wheels. 0.4 *ND * None Detected w. McCrocklin September 28, 1976 + t Asbestos ________ Ewolove and/or Operation_______;________ Fibers/cc GC measured at right front wheel. nd R. Forbes. Removing left rear wheel linings. Sampling time - 1.5 minutes. nd R. Forbes. Removing and replacing right rear wheel linings. Sampling time - 2.5 minutes. 1.8 R. Forbes. Replacing left front wheel linings. Sampling time - 1.25 minutes.. ND R. Forbes. Removing left front wheel linings. Sampling time - 1.3 minutes. nd! R. Forbes. Removing right front wheel linings. Sampling time * 3.25 minutes. NO vent Vapors Air tests for solvent vapor were made while a spray h t e r prepared, sanded, and applied primer and finish coats motor vehicles. The paint was thinned with Surfasol 8000 tomotive Lacquer, company of N e w York) which contained toluene xylene. Air samples for toluene and xylene were collected activated chareoal and analyzed by gas chromatography. OSHA Regulations stipulate that employe exposures to uene and xylene shall not exceed eight-hour, time-weighted rages of 200 parts per million parts of air, by volume (ppm), 100 ppm by volume, respectively. 9 The results of tests indicate that all exposures e within permissive limits. W. McCrocklin -5 September 28, 1976 Its of Tests for Solvent Vapor t Concentration (ppm! Employe and/or Operation____________Toluene______ xylene H. Johnston (109-38-1445). Pre paring vehicle for painting. Sampling time - 166 minutes. 5 1 F. Menard, sanding and apply ing primer. Sampling time - 166 minutes. 7 1 bon Monoxide Air tests for carbon monoxide were made throughout:' Service Department to determine the effectiveness of local aust ventilation. Carbon monoxide was measured with an MSA versal Pump and indicator tubes. Since the results of ts 3, 6, 7, 8, and 10 approach or exceed the permissible sure limit, it is suggested that more extensive air testing performed to determine the eight-hour; time-weighted average entrations of carbon monoxide which might persist under a iety of conditions. OSHA Regulations stipulate that employe exposures to bon monoxide shall not exceed the eight-hour; time-weighted -rage of 50 ppm. ults of Tests for carbon Monoxide t Carbon Monoxide Location___________________ in oore____________ General Condition (GC) measured in aisle between Quick Service and Opel Departments, 12/8/75, 1:30 P.M. 35 GC in service reception area. Door open Snd ears running intermittently, 12/8/75, 2 P.M. 30 W. McCrocklin -6 September 28, 1976 * st Location Carbon Monoxide _____ in pom GC in aisle by Quick service and Parts Departments, 12/8/75, 2:30 P.M., 4 P.M. 55, 35 5 GC in tower office, 12/8/75, 4 P.M. 25, 20 7 GC in service reception area, Door open, 12/9/75, 8:45 A.M. 50, 45 9 GC in tower office, 12/9/75, 9 A.M. 50, 25 3 GC in service reception area. Door open and cars running intermittently. Please advise recommendations. this office on action Sincerely, taken 60 . ?'*" * in line with (JvSiuu*, W. ,H. Krebs^ Ph.D. industrial Hygiene Dept. K:cjh : Mr. Dr. Dr. W. c. M c R o r i e * R. G. wiencek H. A. Pace