Document LJGzDj4dL6Mo5zrXwM2Z5yV9b

1 I. / STOOOOOI 8 MIDLAND, MICHIGAN October 26, 1964 .u * R. C. Middleton Safety Department Ludlngton Division On 10/T/64, the plant air at Ludlngton was tested for carbon mon oxide and mercury vapors at the sand blast shanty,,No. 40 pumphouse and the power house. No indication of mercury vapors was found at any location, . Only the first sample of .air at the power house showed any indication of carbon monoxide, A concentration of 10 ppm of carbon monoxide was seen, There was an oily odor to the air at this time, A second sample, taken immediately following, showed no carbon monoxide. It can be concluded from this that the plant air is not contaminated with either carbon monoxide or mercury. Arrangements were made with Walt Jablonowlcz to sample once a week for some period Cf time to check particles which might be carried in the air. This is to be done using Gelman filters and a Gelman filter holder which are enclosed. Various workmen indicated that.* plant air lines are sometimes contaminated with products as well as oil mist. If this is true, the Gelman filter samples will Indicate it by means of a weight change, There is also the possibility that there might be some moisture in the line. If these filters do show a weight increase, it will be necessary to attempt to indetify the materials which have been caught. Any weight change which Indicates a concentration of particles in the air greater than 5 mg/nr of air can be considered significant so far as the need for identification of the material is concerned. Acceptable concentrations above this figure will depend upon the identity of the material in the air. We will be glad to suggest the suitable figure when we are Informed of the identity of the materials. We discussed radiation with Charley Drews and Lee Shipman. It was agreed that we would furnish up to date radiation manuals and in formation which could be used in discussing the use of radioactive sources and instrumentation. This information is in the mail from Larry Sllverstein, our Health Physicist, A Safety Meeting with the painters, sand blasters and carpenters was held. The subjects covered were silicosis, asbestosls, epoxies, plant air and nickel. We indicated that if the approved sand blasters* hoods are used, there should be no problem from silicosis due to sand blasting. There is, at present a program of chest x-rays for work men, The question was raised as to whether or not the small x-ray taken for the T,B, Survey by the State Health Department was satis factory for this purpose. The opinion was given that it probably was not. DOW 00037 [ STOOOOO19 R. C. Middleton 10/26/64 The question .concerning asbestosis had to do with sawing Tran3ite. Although the dust from such an operation will probably contain respirable particles of asbestos it Is highly unlikely that enough exposure would exist In the use of Translte to represent a real hazard. It was explained to the men that In using the epoxy resins It Is necessary that contact with the skin does not occur. We explained that the seriousness of the rash stems from the fact that exposures which appear to be acceptable can result In sensitization and that once a person is sensitized he can no longer work With the epoxies. We explained that the plant air was free of carbon monoxide and mercury and explained our plan for checking the air for oil mist and other particulate material. There was some discussion concernling the use of an oil trap in the air line. The equipment used In Midland was shown. The men reported that those who had been Involved In sand blasting equlpmert In the Catalyst Plant had been plagued with rashes which they associated with nickel salts. We stated that there Is such .a thing as dermatitis due to nickel and that surely the appearance of rashes associated with such contact Indicated the need for keeping the material off the skin and for removing It If any contact should occur. I hope you will forgive the tardiness of this report. My only ex cuse Is that entirely too many demands have been placed on my time since last I saw you. Best personal regards, H. R. Hoyle Biochemical Research laboratory 1701 Building KRH:reh Enc. DOW 00038