Document LK7dbbbjDm1qDwY17pXEvgD7w
DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A.
LOUISIANA DIVISION
----------- V. C"BUX ISO
PLAQUEMINE. LOUISIANA 707S4
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE REPORT
S04 380-8000
The asbestos in air monitoring for the second half of 1980 has been completed in the Cell Service and Chlorine blocks. Survey results were satisfactory and well below the acceptable threshold limit value of 2 fibers per cubic centimeter greater than five (5) microns in length.
The highest breathing zone sample recorded was 0.15 fibers per cc of air. Due to the low results obtained in routine time-weighted sampling, it is recommended that short duration excursion sampling be emphasized in future surveys.
Good housekeeping, strict safe operating procedures, and a constant vigil for problem areas are the most important con siderations for a successful abatement program. Employees must be informed of the survey results and must review the consequen ces of over-exposure to asbestos fibers. (See Attachment 2.)
DISTRIBUTION
LOUISIANA
MIDLAND
M. F. Currier G. W. Daigre
-- 2303 -- 2501
L. W. Rampy - 1803 M. Swamk - 1803
F. D. Axe - Pittsburg *R. L. Daniel - Freeport
E. P. Edwards
- 3701
*S. A. Goode - OCD
C. L. Melancon W. J. Neely
- 4701 - 2306
*R. J. McCormick - Stron, *R. D. Olsen - Sarnia
S. T. Richardson - 5601
C. J. Weber
- 5601
File (2) J. Di and
- 2501 -- 2601
G. Bertrand - 'ife OPERATING UNIT OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
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INTRODUCTION
The required asbestos in air monitoring for second half of 1980 has been completed. The survey serves to protect the employees against over-exposure, pinpoint problem areas and fulfill the requirements of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act.
DISCUSSION
In addition to everyday safety equipment, operators are required to wear disposable paper suits, rubber gloves and proper dust respirators when handling or working with asbestos. The safe procedure for handling asbestos should be discussed with each new employee before entering the work area and reviewed annually with the experienced operators as part of the ongoing Industrial Hygiene Education Program.
EXPERIMENTAL
Sampling Method
Personnel samples are collected from the operators' breathing zone with a millipore filter (37 mm diameter; 0.8 micron pore size) mounted on an open-face filter holder and attached to the operators' lapels. These cassettes are con nected to monitoring pumps calibrated with a soap bubble meter to operate at a rate of 1.5 to 2.0 liters per minute.
Area samples are collected utilizing the same equipment and method as the personnel samples.
Analytical
The asbestos samples are analyzed using the NIOSH-Approved Method, P 4 CAM 239.
RESULTS (See Attachment 1)
Monitoring results of seven samples indicate all samples were well below the present exposure limit of 2 fibers > 5 microns in length per cubic centimeter.
Three personnel samples were collected from the operators' breathing zones. A high of 0.15 fibers per cc was recorded.
The four stationary samples recorded a high of 0.07 fibers per cc in the asbestos storage room.
DO 0TP0P2 CONFIDENTIAL
-3RECOMMENDATIONS Short-term excursion sampling is recommended in future sampling to better determine if problems exist in some jobs. CONCLUSIONS The monitoring results were satisfactory and well below the established exposure limit of two fibers per cubic centimeter. However, due to the hazardous nature of asbestos, house keeping and good safe operating procedures remain the most important considerations for a good abatement program. This must be a daily, job-by-job program to be successful and to offer the greatest protection to the employee. The Cell Service and Chlorine employees must be informed of this survey's results and the consequences of over-exposure reviewed. (See Attachment 2.) sb
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CONFIDENTIAL
ATTACHMENT 1
DATE
SAMPLE #
9/16/80 9/16/80
1494 1496
9/19/80 10/14/80
1497 1591
CHLORINE PLANT
SAMPLE DESCRIPTION
DURATION (MIN)
SOT - Pulping Cells Area - Asbestos Storage
#2 Shed OT - Pulping Cells SOT - Pulping Cells
45
270 62 30
VOLUME (1)
81.0
594.0 124.0
30.0
FIBERS/ <5 MICRONS IN LENGTH
0.06
0.01 0.15 < 0. 01
DATE
SAMPLE #
12/9/80 12/9/80 12/9/80
1649 1650
1651
CELL SERVICE PLANT
SAMPLE DESCRIPTION
DURATION (MIN)
Area - Center of Bldg. 390
Area - S.W. end of Bldg. 390
Area - Asbestos Storage
Bldg.
390
VOLUME (1)
663-0 663.0
663.0
FIBERS/ <5 MICRONS IN LENGTH
0.03 0.01
0.07
sb 1/19/81
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CONSEQUENCES OF EXPOSURE TO TOXIC AMOUNTS
COMPOUND: EYES:
ASBESTOS
CONTACT WITH THE DUST CAN CAUSE MECHANICAL IRRITATION SIMILAR TO THAT CAUSED BY ANY SOLID PARTICLE.
SKIN: INGESTION:
UNLIKE FIBROUS GLASS, THE FIBERS DO NOT CAUSE DISCOMFORT OR MECHANICAL IRRITATION.
SOME EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT LONG TERM INGESTION OF ASBESTOS MAY INCREASE CHANCES OF STOMACH CANCER.
DUST INHALATION*.
SHORT TERM: HIGH CONCENTRATIONS CWELL ABOVE ACCEPTABLE LEVELS) MAY CAUSE ONLY MODERATE DISCOMFORT FROM MECHANICAL IRRITATION.
LONG TERM: THE FIBERS CAN CAUSE SCARRING OF THE LUNGS (ASBESTOSIS). A CANCER OF THE CHEST LINING (MESOTHELIOMA) MAY ALSO RESULT FROM ASBESTOS EXPOSURE. MOST IMPORTANT, ASBESTOS EXPOSURE AND CIGARETTE SMOKING GREATLY INCREASE THE RISK OF LUNG CANCER.
IHG: author: CHECKED BY:
ACGIH TLV IS 2 FIBERS/CC
G. H. FLORES
R. L. DANIEL - INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE G. C. JERSEY - TOXICOLOGY R. E. FLAKE - MEDICAL
ISSUE DATE:
REVISED: 6-6-80
RESTRICTED: lor uia within Tha Dow Chamlcal Company only.
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