Document NE8mojZv2z5RL370OvXn325pg

PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT OFFICE COPY Biochemical Research laboratory The Dow Chemical Company /070 A SURVEY AMD EVALUATION OP PIPE COVERERS' EXPOSURES TO DUSTS FROM ASBESTOS CONTAINING INSULATION MATERIALS ENCOUNTERED DURING ROUTINE PIPE COVERING OPERATIONS VFITHIN THE MIDLAND LOCATION OP THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY Pile- "2.1-1-64 Date: March 21, 1969 By: R. A. DeGesero o 1 u u lo 8 0 6 o24 >/// 't.'i. / 4 j5- PROBLEM Supervision requested that the Environmental Research Laboratory survey and evaluate current levels of pipe coverer's exposures to du3ts from asbestos-containing insulation materials commonly used within the Midland location. CONCLUSIONS The present Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for asbestos of 5 mpncf will remain in force until 1971- Barring information to the contrary, the TLV will then be lowered to 2 mppcf (million particles per cubic foot) . DAK 01134 .2 Men are encountering time-weighted exposures to dusts frcn insulation materials containing asbestos approaching but not exceeding the present TLV of 5 mppcf. DOW CONFIDENTIAL ?.ESmT3Tr'r^"^ far use within ov,,s ^ow ~- 2 3. Men are encountering time-weighted exposures to dust3 from insulation materials containing asbestos exceeding the proposed TLV of 2 mppcf. h. if exposures are to be reduced to within tentatively accepted levels (2 mppcf) either the use of asbestos-containing insulation materials must cease, or pipe coverers must be protected through effective use of approved respiratory devices and/or local ventilation. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Pipe coverers should be educated to the true hazards associated with the several types of Insulating materials they presently u3e. 2. ripe coverers should be made aware of the several ways of protecting themselves during unavoidable, potential exposures to dusts containing 3ub3tances known to be highly toxic, such as asbestos.3 3. In the future, pipe coverers should be educated to the true hazards associated with any new types of insulation materials to be used, prior to U3e. DAK 01135 3 PRESENTATION OF DATA Indoor pipe covering operations were surveyed from 12/24/68 to 1/22/69* Outdoor pipe covering operations were surveyed froi m 2/20/69 to 3/5/69. Air samples to account for "miscellaneous" portions of the pipe covering functions were obtained from 3/1/69 to 3/5/59. Sampling and Analysis A total of 141 breathing zone samples were collected in midget impingers and analyzed employing standard light field microscopy techniques for determining dust concentrations from insulating materials containing asbestos. Concentrations found in samples wre expressed in terms of millions of particles per cubic foot of air (mppcf), according to the following formula.^- mopcf = (mean particles/quarter field) x 4 x 1000 x sample volume --iinters (p^p flow) x minutes x 3*51 x 10~12 --iii--- min. liter & KM JbUUO 1?attyJ F. A., INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND TOXICOLOGY, Vol. I. Second Revised Edition, p. 198. DAK 01136 r m * m i i l k The means and ranges of concentrations found during sampling are listed in Table 1. Job Analysis and Description An environmental Job analysis provides an estimate of the frequency and duration of men`3 exposures to dust concentrations, surveyed. The Job analysis expresses as per cent of the day day) the probable time distribution of pipe covering operations, averaged over several months. On any given day the pipe coverer's routines can be expected to vary from the estimate. The Job analysis reconciled input from discussions with pipe coverers and supervision, observations duri.jg sampling, estimates provided by an industrial engineering time study, and a luestionnaire filled out by the pipe coverer3. A sample questionnaire is found on page i of the Appendix. The questionnaire requested that men estimate the per cent of time per day they spent working with the most common insulating materials. Men'3 averages were converted into ratios of time spent (jS day) per operation and material, and are listed in Table 1. Thirty-two per cent (26 men) of the Midland coverers responded. Responses concerning rarely used materials (e.g., cork, styrofoam, some putty adhesives, etc.) were set aside. Other information furnished by the coverers included: ^ ryi * nn f) f? u n n i pi ? g| m m 0 0 0 5 Average age: Years covering within Dow: Years covering out3ide Dow: Wear respirator? Which material^s) are the dustiest? 40 years 18 0 Yes: 17 men Mo: 9 men Kaylo: Fibergla3: High temp.: Superpower: Mag oxide: Aircell: 16 men 14 men 11 men 5 men 2 men 2 men Time-weighting Exposures Men's exposures to dust3 from asbestos-containing insulation materials were estimated by " time -weight lng." The exposure frequency and duration (* day) to each material 13 multiplied by the mean concentration in air of each material, giving a set of " time -weighted factors." The ''factors" (procuct of * day x mean concentration) are then added up for the eight hour day: 100* Time-Weighted Exposure = i =0 * day x concentration 100* or, = (time-weight factors) i =0 DAK 01138 i <;0 1 6 Table 1 lists the % day, mean concentrations found, time-weighted factors and ranges for eacn material encountered in the listed Operations. The time-weighted exposures to du3ts from asbestos containing materials were 4.9 mppcf (Indoor operations) and 4.2 mppcf (outdoor operations). c, c <r a cr 1. 7 b I UUb?j I z t) & Table 1. TIME-WEIGHTED EXPOSURES OP PIPE COVERERS TO DUSTS FROM ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS Operations Materials i> Day Concentrations (mppcf) Mean Range Time-weight Factor: Asbestos Remove Mix Cut Apply Air cell Kaylo Mag oxide Fiberglas No. 1 Plus Armentite Superpower Air cell Kaylo Fiberglas Others Air cell Kaylo Fiberglas Others No. 1 Plus Armentite/ Superpower Clean up removed covers Stocking ; get new covers Move to Job, set up Breaks, lavatory 1.2 1.6 0.2 2.0 1.6 0.1 0.8 5.9 8.8 2.2 0.6 15-8 19-9 4.5 2.6 4.8 2.4 3-0 2.0 5.0 15.0 11.4 11.2 2.8 13*7 13.4 9-6 34.9 3.0 11.7 1.7 -- 5.7 5.7 2.4 -- 9*6 2.1 0.3-24.9 3-7-20.5 1.8-4.6 1.2-33.7 2.2-30.5 2.7-13.5 19.6-6.14 0.6-6.2 4.9.23.I 0.8-2.6 0.2-16.4 0.4-22.3 I.2-3.8 -- 1.1-39.5 0.9-3-9 8.5 2.4-24.5 1.0 0.1-2.3 2.0 1.4-2.9 1.4 0.1-3.9 0.137 0.179 0.006 -- 0.219 0.010 -- 0.177 1.030 ---- 0.901 1.123 -- 0.461 0.050 0.255 0.020 0.100 0.201 Time-weighted exposure to asbestos containing dusts (indoor) In mppcf DAK 01140 8 Table 1. CONTINUED Operations Materials Remove Mix Cut Apply Air cell Kaylo Plbergla3 Others No. 1 Plus Armentite Superpower Air cell Kaylo Piberglas Others Air cell Kaylo Piberglas Others No. 1 Plus Armentite/ Superpower Clean up removed covers Stocking ; get new covers Move to Job, 3et up Breaks, lavatory % Day 1.2 1.6 2.0 0.2 1.6 0.1 0.8 5.9 8.8 2.2 0.6 15.8 19-9 4.5 2.6 4.8 2.4 Concentrations (mppcf) Mean Range 5.2 9.0 10.0 -- 9-6 17.0 21.3 2.5 9.4 2.5 -- 1.5 9.2 3-6 -- 1.4 5.2 5-1-5.2 3.6-14.0 5.5-20.2 -- 5.9-12.5 14.1-21.6 13.1-25.4 O.9-3.4 6.3-7-4 1.4-3.8 -- 0.3-3.5 1.9-17.9 1.6-6.7 ... 0.3-2.3 3.5-7.9 Time-weight Factor: Asbestos 0.062 0.144 ---- 0.154 0.017 0.148 0.827 -- -- 0.237 I.83I 0.067 0.125 3.0 2.0 5.0 15.0 8.5 2.4-24.6 1.0 0.1-2.3 2.0 1.4-2.9 1.4 0.1-3.9 0.255 0.020 0.100 0.210 Time-weighted exposure to asbestos containing du3t3 (outdoor) in mppcf = u.2 b IU U bU I 3 DAK 01141 9 Threshold Limit Values (TLV) A TLV describes that time-weighted concentration of a material to which men can be repeatedly exposed for eight hours with no adverse effects on'health. A TLV Indicates a mean I concentration which can be exceeded, provided there are corresponding exposures lower than the TLV. I At present the TLV for dust containing asbestos i3 5 mppcf using standard light microscopy techniques. Based on best I current information, the proposed TLV of 2 mppcf would provide better I protection. A two year trial period preceeds acceptance of proposed TLV'3. In 1971, 2 mppcf will be the TLV for asbestos, I unless better information during the Interim casts doubt upon the proposed figure. I Thl3 report evaluated current exposures using the I proposed standard of 2 mppcf If the material in question had even trace (<5%) asbestos content. Manufacturers were consulted regarding I the composition of the insulating product(s) found in common usage. The following table llst3 these materials and the per cent a3besto3 I plus the appropriate TLV for that material. I ) i 9 n n i s E4- uTj a T3 aE o o o o CM ion CM JC 47 Oo CM CM o * Om o * CM os 3 ta- i--<Q* MOO c i n q ri n i q o 00 3C VO H CT\ f-4 r-4 j a cO &. 4J c. 0) Qc. t. 4) c O * in $ o 2 os o\ H a 2E 0 os OO o $2 0j>n0* o3s JuaOT a aos aou S3 Or- *CHft 00 3 4co) oOO -aofst aes ** 4o-> in *ca T3 3O*E-! iOnN Oas $ $V $cEol Mas O'. >*07 aaj n c $ aj r- cc 2 >itn* a U4 , CO >i z 01 m>^ <r4 4) > ai 03 1 "u CO > 00 0O 07 t, 4) > O O 07 L. 47 > O O g o o CF-*. C/"OV gc c M C U E225. CM i--QJi J3 nj -* >N > 0) - c as a. .U O ca-i ..--4 > c as a E O O ** 3 C (TJ E O a US ca 2 TC3 CO N--' <d (0 c u2s c--u' 07 r3H a. as 01 3 0 JiCaj 2 a 01 r--^ u 'O a> CuO O a 3 CO 4) ^4 > c CO 21: 01 c 0c *"3 0 3 40-3) CCO, 2a cu <L> O EO u _, ?>> c >. as a 4LJ. E ca O0 O >7 47 C. in as 0 CO *--*^--> 1 r--4 u c r--4 --* as > as u; nnir m T4? 1 I- i i I i i a l a I mm is. 11 DISCUSSION Men were found to be working almost exclusively with asbestos-containing materials. Their time-weighted exposures to .dusts from the asbestos-containing materials were in excess of the proposed TLV of 2.0 mppcf and barely under the present TLV of 5 mppcf. Steps should be taken to lower the time-weighted exposures to within proposed acceptable limits. Several means of reducing the time-weighted exposures are apparent! 1. Cease using asbestos-containing materials, ir use of asbestos- containing materials was stopped, exposures would be reduced c c to acceptable levels, even though some low-level exposure c c would be experienced until presently Installed coverings have been replaced due to natural attrition. c 2. Effective use of approved respiratory devices. Respiratory protection is practical for Job3 which are of short duration and infrequent occurrence. It can be seen from Table 1 that Jobs requiring respiratory protection are neither infrequent nor of short duration. Men encounter greatest exposures during the cutting and applying of Air cell and Kaylo. These two operations are done for 50% of the day -- sometimes 100% of the day. Many other operations listed in Table 1 could require DAK 01144 ST0U60I7 12 use of respiratory devices. Attempts to lower exposures to 2 mppcf by using respirators seem futile. 3. Use local ventilation. This method would be effective if the ventilation could be kept close to the dust source. Pipe coverers* work routines make this difficult; e.g.f working aloft, or in cramped areas. In the event new types of covering materials are used, men should be instructed regarding the toxic properties of the materials and the hazards associated with using the material. Protective measures to prevent or lower undesirable but unavoidable exposures to the material 3hould be well understood. Any education effort must precede or be concurrent with first usage of new materials. During this survey, most men voiced strong objection to fiberglas, asserting that fiberglas insulation materials were far more hazardous than asbestos insulation materials. This contention 13 not supported by 25 years available field experience and independent laboratory testing on fiberglas. The Environmental Research Laboratory will survey and evaluate upon request any proposed types of Insulating materials and relate their usage to the health hazards associated with these materials. DAK 01145 APPENDIX * ENVIRONMENTAL research questionnaire r Please answer the following questions aa completely as possible, average estimates. using Name Man # Age Number of years with Dow Number of years covering pipe " Do you wear a respirator? Yea ____ No _______ What make If yes, list those operations during which you wear a respirator gj| What per cent of the day is this? ____________ Have you covered pipe or handled covering materials out3ide of Dow? Yea w If* -y--e--a, 'h--o--w- lio--n--g--*d-id you cover pipe? B Answer the following if they apply to you, I How much time per day do you: (a) Remove old fiberglas covers? __________ (b) Remove other types of covers? ________ E List other types you remove* __________ 1 (c) Mix "plus one" webbers? (d) Use power saws? __________ Other adhesives? List what you cut with a power saw* (e) Use hand saws? Li3t what you cut with a power saw* How much time per day do you: (a) work with "air cell" ________________ (b) work with "Kaylo" _____________________ ' (c) Work with "Hi-temp" _________________ (d) work with fiberglas _________________ fhich job(a) do you consider most dusty? low often do you do this job (3) ? ST00G8I8 DAK 01146 CP 13 UNIT INDEX Pipe covering operations were surveyed and evaluated. Men received time-weighted exposures to asbestos near the present Threshold Limit Value of 5 mppcf and In excess of the tentatively proposed Threshold Limit Value of 2 mppcf. Steps should be taken to reduce exposures to the proposed new standard. \ ST006I31 9 DISTRIBUTION L. Warren, Field Service Unit #6, 189 Building R. Wood, Field Service Unit #11, 49 Building H. Ahlich, Field Service Unit #2, 759 Building B. VanderKlipp, Distribution, 572 Building T. J. Madden, Field Service Unit #10, 222 Building (6) J. Bradley, Plastic Prod. Maintenance, 433A Building 3. 3. Holder, M.D., Medical Department, 607 Building H. L. Gordon, M.D., Corporate Medical Department, 2030 ARC D. B. Morse, Safety Department, 401 Building S. M. MacCutcheon, Safety and Loss Prevention, 2030 ARC R. J. House, Division Accounting Staff, 256 Building L. Anderson, Plant Engineering, 800 Building - -c l\\a rHy ; Pi -H*. Lu ^ C (s Kr/xtnzrj Ccrp. MeJic<x~( - ic.30 6- 3-'*~-7a RADrsJl *( M h 1 r.j - l>e .J a cfa &-f n 1 a_ 6* * $ (1) ? H - "7 2-- DAK 01147