Document MGJqL9kx7X47Mve3B9rqGZ3ya

! DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A. December 12, 1989 LOUISIANA DIVISION p. o. sox iso PLAQUEMINE. LOUISIANA 707SB-O1S0 SOA 380-8000 L. W. RampYf Midland, - 1803 M. G. Swank, Midland, - 1803 H. M. Bell, 4701T S. C. Cole, 3502E T. Gunn,1601 P. Rozas, 3801 SOLVENTS-EDC HEALTH TEAM REVIEW Attendees: M. Bizzaro, M. Brown, J. Chemin, L. Conley, M. Currier, T. Gunn, R, Hotard, G Kusch, B. Ledford Sumnary: The Solvents-EDC I Health Team Review was held on December 8, 1989. The main topics covered included a process review, discussion of the primary chemical hazards, exposure monitoring results, asbestos handling procedures and inspection results, a review of safety incidents and the medical surveillance testing data. 1. Mike Brown gave a brief process description and reviewed a process flow diagram for both Solvents and EDC I. 2. Consequences of overexposure information was discussed for the main chemicals of concern in the plant. This included a fairly lengthy discussion of hexachlorobenzene and hexachlorobutadiene. 3. The information in the Industrial Hygiene annual report was reviewed and discussed. The monitoring data indicated that exposure,levels for routine and short term jobs are generally well below the exposure guidelines. The new 1 ppm limit for EDC will definitely present a challenge. 4. Ambient levels of chemicals in the plant have shown a good downward trend due to a reduction in the number of leaks. The plant has been switching to sealless punq>s which accounts for part of the reduction. 5. The plant has replaced about 95 per cent of their asbestos gaskets with non asbestos ones and this is continuing. The latest asbestos inspection was discussed including follow up action. All damaged asbestos insulation was removed or repaired. Only one of 14 asbestos exposure samples for the insulators was above the action limit. AN OPEPATINQ UNIT OP THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY DO 0 7885/'-; donf t DFNIT T Solvents Health Team Review LAD-HTR Page 2 6. The results of the annual noise survey showed about 70 per cent of the plant is 90 decibels or higher with a few areas above 100 decibels. New warning signs are being posted in high noise areas. Quite a few noise measurements were taken during specific tasks, such as operating power tools and machinery, to better define the need for hearing protection. 7 No injuries due to chemical exposures occurred in 1988 but there were two chlorine inhalations during 1989. 8. The environmental incidents statistics were reviewed. The plant achieved their 1988 goal of a 25 per cent reduction. 9. Dr. Currier reviewed the medical surveillance data. The plant had 100 per cent participation. SGPT levels averaged 35 units which was a little bit higher than the division as a whole. Hemoglobin levels averaged 15.1 grains and white blood counts averaged 6800. There was one unilateral standard threshold shift. Hexachlorobenzene blood levels continue to drop. HCB levels for Dow employees averaged 32 ppb in 1989 with no one over 150 while the contract employees averaged 28 ppb with one person above 150. In 1986 the Solvents plant and the EDC plant had their work force combined. Dr. Currier presented data on the HCB blood levels for the workers from EDC (not previously exposed) from 1986 through 1989. Only one person has a level higher than the typical 0-5 ppb baseline level which existed when the plants were combined. This certainly confirms the effectiveness of the programs and procedures used to minimize the exposure to hexes. Recommendations: 1. The plant should perform a self audit of portable container labelling using the guidelines in the labelling section of the Hazard Comnunication Manual. 2. The plants respirator program should be reviewed for compliance with S & LP standard S-206 and revised as needed. A copy of the updated program should be sent to Industrial Hygiene. 3. It is reconmended that I. H. records (sample records, calculations, documentation of training, etc.) be sent to Industrial Hygiene for microfilming and storage on an annual basis after the I. H. summary report is written. Previously we have asked the plants to keep the records for five years. As a good quality assurance measure, it is important that these records are signed and dated when they are created. 4. Surface wipe testing for HCB levels should continue on an annual basis. 00 078860 OONf-TDFNT TAI Solvents Health Team Review LAD-HTR Page 3 Please respond in writing to Industrial Hygiene within one month as to action taken or planned in regard to these recommendations. William E. Ledford Industrial Hygiene cm DO 07RtfD1 f.ONF IDF NTT A