Document G6pVypqpZK4n34G9yeOvw1Ze7

(' ABEX CORPORATION AMERTCAN BRAKEBLOK DIVISION WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA HYGIENE StJRVST FOR LEAD AND ASBESTOS On October 19 and 20, 1966, samples for airborne lead and asbestos dust were collected in the wet and dry compounding areas, in the book and block press preforming areas, in the block and strip finishing areas, and in the mainte nance area where lead hammer heads are molded. The samples for lead were all collected at operations in which lead was part of the basic compound. The lead samples were analyzed by our Bopkinton, Massachusetts, laboratory and compared to a threshold limit value of 2.0 milligrams of lead per 10 cubic meters of air. The dust samples were counted microscopically and compared to a threshold limit value of 5 million particles per cubic foot. CONCLUSIONS 1. The lead and dust are controlled well below the threshold limit value at the book press preformers having exhaust systems; but concentrations detected at those not exhausted are excessive; and the exhaust systems should be completed as soon as possible. 2. The airborne lead detected at the unexhausted block press preformers is excessive, and exhaust controls should be installed on those machines as soon as possible. 3. Hie dust and lead detected in the block and strip finishing areas were well below the threshold limit values, and controls in those areas appear adequate. The concentration of lead detected at the dry compounding line was below the threshold limit value, and present lead controls appear adequate. 5. The dust concentrations detected at the asbestos weighing station on the dry compounding line were below the threshold limit value, but the general room sample (#2) was greater than the threshold limit value. It appears that the dust detected may have come from the compounding line, and addi tional dust collecting equipment or a modification in compounding pro cedure may be needed. 6. The dust concentrations on the first floor under the dry mix line were almost exactly the threshold limit amount, and further exhaust controls may be needed there. 7. The lead and dust concentrations detected at the wet compounding line were greater than the threshold limit values, and further controls may be needed. 8. The lead concentrations detected at hammer head molding were well below the threshold limit value, and present controls appear adequate. November 16, 1966 CAC/bm industrial hygienist Loss Prevention Department SPNY 005617