Document LJRD3R8KjgRwM17zbKbRw4NDQ

INTERNAL CCRRG3PONDHNC3 r -JEMICALS AND PLASTICS RIVER ROAD. nOUr.'D BROOK. HtW JIRSEY OSSOi Mr. D. R. Albright Jo, Chemicals and Plastics Bound Brook, New Jersey . ( Mr. R. W. Cope - SC Mr. R. A. DeCoudres - BB Mr. J. L. Goodson - BB Mr. N. L. Ketcham - SC Dr. C. S. McKinley - BB Mr. R. A.. Riraicci - BB Mr. F. A. Schillinger - BB Mr. J. M. Swalm - BB Mr. J. P. Zuccarelli - BB Oaj November 8, 1972 o<leinaiti>s D,pi. Environmental Protection A,rwil,g l,H,r Jut, Sabjoti Asbestos Dust Measurements The September and October opportunity of measuring the maximum concentrations of airborne asbestos expected when these units are running products of 29 to 33% asbestos content. The following ere my conclusions and recommendations as the result of ay samplings and observations to date. 1. Airborne asbestos concentrations to which molding materials mixer operators on the third floor are exposed while charging asbestos do not exceed 6 fibers/cc compared with the OSHA ceiling limit of 10 fibers/cc when sampled for 15-minute periods. The eight-hour time-weighted averaged concentrations measure under 3 fibers/cc compared with the present OSHA limit of 5 fibers/cc. When proper precautions are followed in the dumping and put-away of empty bags, it appears -that airborne concentrations can bo maintained below the 2 fiber/cc eight-hour TWA limit to be effective July 1, 1976. 2. Although the third floor operation appears "clean" by our measurements, there are conspicuous situations which could provoke citations under the "general duty" clause if observed by the compliance officer. It is recommended that departmental programs aimed at these items be Intensified, not nnly tn <mprnvi> our margin of safety, but al3Q to improve the morale of operators, some of whom see sources oi asbestos contamination as a threat to their health despite-the measurements taken. These situations are as follows: Handling of Empty Bags: *,ihis remains a visable dusting problem. Although operators can exercise due care in gathering empty bags and placing them in the gaylord liner bln, there is great variability between operators. Unless firmer supervision can be given to this area, it would appear that the installation of hoods over the two disposal bin locations will be'required to minimise this source. j) f ir-sf r? //  iChem'J^cnls and Plostics Bound Brook, Hew Jersey . Asbestos Dust Mensurencnto 4 ' B. Condition of Incoming Asbestos Bans*. The palletized packages of asbestos bags nre prone to being torn open from loading, shipping, and subsequent handling.in our plant. The condition appears to have Improved during recent sampling, evidently the result of attention to this problem.- Close monitoring must be maintained to avoid spillage of asbestos, not only In the thlrd~"floor area but in the warehouses and areas traversed by persons not aware of or protected from exposure to asbestos. C. Work Habits of Personnel: Operators have been observed using the air hose that hangs by the wall between Units B and C to blow dust from their clothing and gloves. Obviously, this fills the area with a cloud of dust. Use of vacuuming and/or disposable coveralls is recommended. Also, one operator was observed to dump asbestos without wearing a respirator, claiming inability to breathe through the "Dustfoe" respirator. All other operators wore their respirators while discharging asbestos. D. General Housekeeping Although the third floor appears to be swept frequently, there are accumula tions of dust on equipment, ledges, and in corners which detract from the general appearance of the area. Additional vacuum connections with brushes and hoses should facilitate clean-ups. 3. Airborne asbestos concentrations in the areas of the first floor charge rolls present no problem, as indicated by the maximum measurement of 1.4 flbers/cc from the September samples. However, operators should be encouraged to wear respirators during malfunctions when they are shovelling quantities of raw mix for highly-loaded products. 4. Another (probably non-asbestos) dust source which could subject us to the "general duty" clause is the Tote Bin filling station station at Unit C where heavy dusting has been observed during the filling operation. Whether or not dust from BMN 6935 Bk 25 product contains free asbestos fibers remains to be investigated; however, the nuisance factor to operators in the vicinity is high and could draw undue attention during n compliance inspection. An improved dust hood or better vacuum source should alleviate much of this dust. Future plans call for additional sampling during production of high asbestos products to further measure sources. Meanwhile, we have arranged for a visit on November 13 by cn industry consultant, Ur. W. Bradley, whose wide experience in asbestos testing will afford the opportunity of "shoulder-to-shoulder" comparisons with our test methods to further establish our measuring accuracy. WDN:gb W. D. Neal ASBESTOS DUST MEASUREMENTS - OCTOBER 1972 Date 10-18-72 10-19-72 10-20-72 10-18-72 10-19-72 10-20-72 Unit B B B C C C Product EMMA 5303 BMMA 5303 BMMA 5303 BMN 6935 BMN 6935 BMN 6935 Asbestos Loading % No. Bags 28.6 12 28.6 12 28.6 12 30.0 30.0 25 25 30.0 25 Area Sample Fibers/cc 0.7 0.3 0.2 1.1 - 0.8 Mixer Man Sample 15 Minute 8 Hour TWA Fibers/cc Fibers/cc 4.5 2.1 1.1 1.2 1.1 6.0 5.4 3.8 1.2 2.4 2.3 1.9 NOTES: All samples taken over 15 minute intervals. Eight hour TWA based on 8 mixes/8 hours for total of 2 hours at 15 minute concentration, 5 hours at 1.5 fibers/cc, maximum area concentration measured In September, and 1 hour at 0 concon ration for tine off station. -Example: For Unit C, 10-1S-72 sampl . 2 hours @ 6.0 fibers/cc = 12.0 fibcrs-hour/cc 5 hours @ 1.5 fibers/cc = 7.5 fibers-hour/cc 1 hour @ 0 fibers/cc = 0 fibers-hour/cc 8 hours 19.5 i 8 hours = 2.4 fibers/cc Vi'DH: GB 11/8/72