Document JYQnYDg5EeZxgaz0ZyRRo9Bv

FROM TO A. G. Aiuvalasit S. A. Bayless AT Houston AT Houston INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SURVEY - CHINA GULF PLASTICS IN REPLY REFER TO ate 1-7-77 tfWo -o 9 C-frPC As mentioned to you in my note of 11-8-76, I recapped the major points of the comprehensive and excellent report by Dr. R. T. Cheng. Another copy of my recap is attached. Of primary interest here, due to the hazards identified are the following: 1. A "follow-up" procedure should be established with China Gulf so that our management as well as the Medical Division be advised of the status of work on the recommendations. 2. The standards cited by Dr. Cheng represent goals toward which this operation should move. However, because of the seriousness of the hazards involved, immediate action should be taken to reduce exposures particularly in the cases of vinyl chloride and mercury. 3. Periodic resurveys of the operations by Safety and Health personnel should be scheduled until the major hazards are removed or reduced. Dr. Cheng's report is enclosed. AGA:sc Enclosures cc: R. J. Comeaux - wo/encls. H. T. Miller - " " CUSAROSS 00467 RECEIVED JAN 1 0 1977 CHINA GULF PLASTICS RECAP INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SURVEY AUGUST 1976 TOUFEN GENERAL PLANT 1. Vinyl Chloride: p. 12 "... reemphasized that our final goal is to comply with U. S. Standards not temporary Canada Standards." (Canada lOppm TWA and 25 ppm ceiling - United States [proposed] 1 ppm 8 hours TWA and 5ppm [15 minutes] ceiling of VC gas.) (Odor threshold ^ 2000 ppm) 2. Solvents Benzene contamination of toluene (2% benzene) and MEK (0% Benzene) 3. Mercury TLV exceeded in aisles between chlorine cells 4. Chlorine Tail gas unit not working Cl2 being emitted to atmosphere. Suggested use of caustic scrubber. (Apparently no tests were made for Cl2) (US TLV Ippm or 3mg/m3) 5. Dusts Pb, Cd, Ba No air sample taken for lead, barium, and cadmium dust. Pneumatic transport planned - See `74 Industrial Hygiene report for specific recommendations. 6. Dyes & Pigments Handle with care. Effective local exhaust. Look for sensitization, irritation. 7. Plating Room Cyanide bath - Safety shower inoperative 8. POP Fumes Dioctyl Phthalate - Rather inert, but fumes were noxious and dense. 9. Heat Stress Chinese Government Standard exceeded at mixing rolls of film plant (^39C WBGT vs. 30.6C or 87F Standard for 8 hours. Suggest, also, high at leather shop, tile shop, PVC Drying, Chlor-Alkali, etc. CUSAROSS 00468 2- - II. TAOUAN PLANT 1. Dusts Wear respirators when lead, cadmium, and barium powders are used, 2. Epoxy Check toxicity of Union Carbide's JPO type 3. Noise At boilers and overhead mixer III. KAOHSIUNG TVCM PLANT 1. VCM React ethylene and C12. form ethylene dichloride then dehydrochloronation of EDC to form vinyl chloride and HC1 - Leakage of VC possible. Samples ranged from 5.1 ppm - 21.3 ppm. 2. EDC OVA not working. Odor (100 ppm threshold) indicated high levels at spots. LNIOSH proposes decrease from 50 ppm to 5 ppm TWA 10 hours or ceiling of 15 ppm (15 minutes sample)] 10/28/76 A. G. AIUVALASIT CUSAROSS 00469