Document MM133nGrXnL8MgNmLdGavjrxM

DEPOSmON EXHIBIT ZC Z2z/( Question? Does Inerteea have permanent effects on the human body? If so, what type of permanent damage and how long a period of.time does it take for this to develop? if not, explain why, if possible. ' & Xh polychlorinated biphenyls ia ZurtMa cm hW pumuat effects on the hmmn body. Th@ length of tiao or period of exposure necessary to develop symptoms depends on the degree or amount of exposure. In general, a single exposure for a few minutes to atmospheric eoac@atraties that cause Irritation to the eyes and/or respiratory tract would not be expected to cause either the skin eruptions or demonstrable liver injury. The preplan arises from repeated and prolonged exposure to atmospheric concentrations in excess of the accepted Threshold Malt Levels or repeated and prolonged skin contact. The polychlorinated biphenyls have not been recognised as skin "'irritants* in the same sense that caustic materials or many organic chemicals are irritants. Because of their "solvent* action in removing the natural fats and oils from the skin leading to drying and chapping # repeated and prolonged skin contact should be avoided. When the polychlorinated biphenyls are mixed with other chlori nated hydrocarbons/ the mixture may be classified as a skin irritant. The potential toxic effects in humans from excessive exposure . to polychlorinated biphe^ls include injury to the liver and chloraene. Xn animals# the liver effect is demonstrated by increased liver weights and injury to cellular tissue. Although chloraene is difficult be evaluate in animals# in humans# this takes the foot of eostdeau (large blackheads with typical, acne pustules) and may be an external sy^ton of ever exposure pre ceding serious liver injwy. " Animal data and human esqperienee indicate that the toxic effects are similar whether exposure results from ingestion# inhalation of vapors# dr absorption of the liquid material through the un broken skin. - (See AXBA hygienic Guide Series - "CMorodiphesyls attached.) Question i Several hourly wployees have mentioned recently that many ehie&l such mm Xnerteea cause sterlUsatioB ' after prolonged use. Is thin true? - There la no evidence that polychlorinated biphenyls cause * sterilization* in haas pg,, 9 A 0009427 WATER PCB-00049080 3. Questions Sines Znerteen *ffect birds sad other animals, 12 there is no real effect to human beings, how do you explain it to e^loyees in such a way that they win understand why it can kill a bird mad not a huau? . There is a potential real affect to htmana - including death '' aa discussed in the aaswt to Question 1- ' . Due to differences in metabolism of food (and food eontod- nknts) in birds and htsmna (and particularly the dlfrne ' in the raproductioa proem* in birds and Mammmla - including humans) , birds are particularly sensitive to many chlorinated hydrocarbons including polychlorinated blphaayla. . 4. Question* Zf an nple^M spills Znerteen a his clothing . and later takas -the clothing home to fee washed with ether ' clothes# wiU this hmm any effect on him or his family and.should ha carry Ms clothea heme to be washed? ' ' There should not fee any effect on am mployee or his family from home laundering of work clothing. Zf washed with other clothing, there may be residual odor of the chlorinated hydrocarbons Ln the clothing- . 5. Question* Aployees carry Znerteea homo on the aolea of their ahoea and cesplaln quite a bit about the effect Znertsen has on wearing out of their ahoea. Is this a serious problem? Will Znerteea in the soles and leather of shoes, over a long period of time, have an effect on the feet and skin since the shoe is the. only protective equipment we` wear on our feet and the Znerteea penetrates through the ' leather. .. There should not be polydlorinated biphenyl on the floor for workmen to contaminate tbslr shoes to cany beat, tte plastic eizar or solvent action will destroy or shorten the life of .the shoes.' Store ia^ortastly# the wearing of contaminated shoes could lead to absolution of the liquid through the soles of the feet as through maf other unbroken skin surface. ' 6. Questions There is one e^loyee in our plant who had no pro blem whatsoever with Jnmxt--n years ago- After six years o using# mv when be wofcks in Znerteea (which is a part ' of his job) he devolve a swelling on the inner bicep of'his left am# only in oae location- OouM this be from Znerteen or not? Zt goes away am Moa as he gets out the -Znerteen- . Zt is similar to the welling after taking an injection. Pf. 10 A 0009428 WATER PCB- V do not believe there can be any association between "a swlllng on the inner bicep* of the arm and ea^oaure to polychlorinated biphenyla. Question: Arm therm hand cleaning solvent oaterials that urn should fee using when working in Insrtaca to coat our skin before worting in it and to wash it off . after wa finish wotMng in it? Please give yoor ' recommendation,, Our employees working in Znerteen * ' are not able to use gloves since it is an assenbly *' area. Even If they could* the Inarteen. would destroy the protective glove* . *. Ve assume the question refers to the use of "Barrier Greens" rather than a "hand eltaolnc solvent"* . There'are a nmfeer of barrier creams available to protect . workers against mtir insoluble solvents* Probably the east effective include Hicon* provide an impenetrable shield" A problem with such creams is that they may offer a false sense of security. ' i Proper use includes a discipline which requires liberal appli cation at the beglnninc of a work shift and after each washing of the hands during the work day.