Document JrqEwdQJO5bv10rbgZ56wbxne

Oyster Creek Division Unit I Vcm/Edc Industrial Hygiene Protocol Comprehensive 1983 R&s 037095 Comprehensive Industrial Hygiene Survey of Unit L Vcm/Edc Oyster Creek Division, Dow Chemical U.S.A. - ' *-' . . . ui lY.^pany File Number; Date; Sponsor: Planned Starting Datb: Planned Completion Date: Planned Date Of Final Report: VjtjjLui.'i uiclric! oi New York February 2, 1983 O.C.D., Unit I January, 1983 December, 1983 January, 1984 Signatures: AuthorDate: Distribution: G* Bird S* Goode D. Green B. Holden jz . K, Huff K. West *The supplement portion of this report contains Dow trade secret information, iB V LZLJ -ao- medical bldg PURPOSE In 1969 the vinyl chloride/ethylene dichloride (VCM-EDC) plant came on line in the Oyster Creek Division at Freeport, Texas. Since the initial start-up many operating conditions and plant facilities have been altered to optimize produc tion. Many additions have been made such as vent collection systems and thermal waste disposal units which reduce or eliminate environmental emissions and sub sequent employee exposure. Since the recognition of vinyl chloride as a cancer suspect agent in 1974- and more specifically since the current OSHA VCM standard became effective in 1976, a great deal of attention has focused on evaluation employee exposures to VCM. Over 1000 eight hour TWA tests have been conducted in order to define employee exposures and evaluate control measures as they were implemented. Exposures to EDC and various chlorinated hydrocarbon by-products were also determined when sampling for VCM at this location. The effectiveness of the control measures mentioned is demonstrated by the fact that none of the in-plant job classifica tions experienced any overexposures to VCM during routine sampling performed in 1982. Because the exposure guidelines for VCM and other indigenous compounds are very low, a comprehensive industrial hygiene survey is necessary in 1983 to Insure continued minimal exposures. Evaluations for noise and chlorine exposure will be included with the chlorinated hydrocarbon determinations. AIR SAMPLING PROCEDURE AND ANALYSIS The determination of employee TWA exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons will be achieved through the use of activated charcoal adsorption mediums and subsequent desorption in CS2 and analysis by gas chromatography. The two specific methods used are the 3M #3500 Organic Vapor Monitor and commercial or hand loaded char coal tubes with Slpin SP-1 personal monitoring pumps. Detailed procedures for each are included in the protocol supplement. Portable hydrocarbon detectors will be used to determine instantaneous airborne concentrations of VCM and other hydrocarbons. The two types of instruments used are the HNU PI-101 photoionization detector and the Century OVA 108. The HNU uses a 10.2 eV ionization tube and is selective to VCM over most other compounds in the plant. The OVA has a flame ionization detector and measures total hydro carbons. High readings from the OVA are identified by supplemental syringe grab samples analyzed via gas chromatography. Both the HNU and the OVA are calibrated with a certified N8S traceable 5 ppm VCM in air mixture purchase from Matheson. Calibration mixture quality assurance is performed upon delivery by G.C. cross analysis. 30 fio C/3 COO nJ o <0 O)