Document O128xNVV3n4YKrVX73Qry0XYw

Interoffice AieiiHiraiiilniii TO (Name ano Location) Mr. K. A. Rose { * (Name ana Location)_______________ j h. Pritchard --------------- !*--5-----------DATE V 7/5/79 RAW-N^-^9 7HP-T-79 Summary: Personnel in the Celanex unit were monitored for asbestos exposure during the April SEO production run. The analyti cal results show all exposure levels below the allowable 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) of 2 fibers/cc longer than 5 micrometers. The highest short-term exposure found was 4.6 fibers/cc. A temporary bag splitter was in operation during the April SEO production run. A new splitter/handling system will be in use for the next SEO production run. Em ployees will again be monitored for asbestos exposure. At that time, I recommend the plant industrial hygienist re view the asbestos handling and new blending procedures. (. Asbestos monitoring will continue in accordance with fed eral regulations. Discussion: Personnel in the Celanex unit were monitored for asbestos exposure during the April SEO production run. Analytical results (8 hour TWA) are reported in Table I. Semi-annual sampling frequency is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Section 1910.1001. Measurements were obtained by attaching the monitoring equipment to operations personnel during various SEO blends. Analyses were performed by one of two laboratories: National Loss Control Service Corporation, or Kemron Environmental Health Laboratories. Both laboratories are accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association. Calculated 8 hour TWA exposures ranged from <0.01 to 0.7 fibers/cc. The 8 hour TWA standard for asbestos is 2 fibers/cc of air, longer than 5 micrometers. The ceiling level for as bestos is 10 fibers/cc longer than 5 micrometers. The highest ( 000591 ARH-26-79/JHP/6/79 July 5, 1979 asbestos (short-term) exposure detected was A. 6 fibers/cc on Jan Hance, operator helper, A/18/79, during an asbestos blend. (The fibers counted were definitely asbestos fibers, as con firmed by National Loss Control Laboratory Manager.) Ms. Hance was monitored for 72 minutes. Her calculated 8 hour TWA ex posure was 0.7 fibers/cc. During the SEO production run, a temporary bag splitting operation was used instead of the normal bag splitting pro cedures. "Hot box" gloves were installed along both sides of the splitter to allow the employees to handle the bags and move them through the splitter. The gloves sometimes came out of their sockets and had to be taped back into place. This appeared to be the only place where asbestos could leave the splitter. The analytical laboratories reported that some of the aero sol sample filters were "overloaded". National Loss Control was contacted. The laboratory manager stated that the asbes tos fibers were covered with a talc-like dust, making is pos sible to underestimate the asbestos fiber count. The asbestos samples were taken for the entire length of the SEO blend. The asbestos is blended first so the filters would have as bestos fibers, covered by dust and particulate matter from the SEO blend (decabromo, antimony trioxide, etc.) In the future, during SEO blends, blending personnel will be monitored for asbestos during the "asbestos dump" portion of the SEO blends only. The monitoring equipment will be removed after the asbestos blend has been completed so that the filter does not become "overloaded" with dust and particulate matter from the remainder of the SEO blend. A new bag splitter will be in operation when the next SEO production run is made. Personal samples will again be taken. At this time, I recommend the entire asbestos blending and handling procedures be reviewed and evaluated by the plant in dustrial hygienist. ARH:JHP:Sgd cc: R. P. Guerra R. L. Bunkley P. M. Sykes J. L. Merian C. A. Amond A. C. Abshier P. N. Thomas G. Ille R. W. James 000592 ASBESTOS MEASUREMENTS IN CELANEX TABLE I Name Social DateSecurity No. Calculated 8 hr. TWA Highest Job Exposure^ 2, ixposure^ .4 Description Fibers/cc Fibers/cc Comments y 4/12/79 Carl Holt 453-80-8205 Operator / Helper 0.14 0.801 Overloaded ,, sample filter3 4/12/79 Mike Mosley Utility Not Available Person 0.13 0.73 ' 4/12/79 Area Sample 1 7 N/A 4/18/79 4/18/79 Jan Hance 467-96-0236 Ray M. Nunez 449-06-2986 Operator Helper Operator Helper /o'* 0.7 no Samnle Void 0.081 4.66 Sample- Void 7. Sample taken at the open end of the bag splitter Overloaded sample filter 5 Overloaded sample filter 5 X 4/24/79 Marcos Ramon Operator 451-88-5490 0.08 0.967 4/24/79 John P. Jones Operator jii <0.01 462-06-6824 Helper <0.04 Overloaded sample filter 5 4/24/79 Victor Moreno Operator 454-86-7470 Helper 0.10 0.83 Overloaded sample filter 5 4/24/79 X 4/26/79 Oscar Garcia Operator j/ 3. Sample 454-76-3534 Void Victor Moreno Operator //* 454-86-7470 Helper 0.07 Sample. Void ' 0.937 Overloaded sample filter 5 < 4/26/79 J. B. Green 454-90-8288 Utility Person //5 0.06 0.816 Overloaded sample filter 5 Footnotes: 1. TWA - time weighted average. Calculations of 8 hour TWA, General Industry Standards and Interpretations. U. S. Dept, of Labor, Volume 1, OSHA 2077, 1910.1000 (d) (1) p. 701. 2. Permissible 8-hour TWA exposure - to airborne concentrations of asbestos fibers, s2 fibers, longer than 5 micrometers per cubic centimeter of air. Ceiling Concentration. - 10 fibers, longer than 5 micrometers, per cubic centimeter of air, at any time. 3. Monitoring Method - According to Federal Register, Section I9Y071001(f)' ~(1J L. 4. "Highest Exposure" samples were taken during the SEO blend. 5. Aerosol filter was overloaded with particulate and dust matter from the SEO blend, i.e. antimony trioxide, decabromo, etc. Results may be underestimated because the powders could possibly have covered some of the asbestos fibers. 6. Analyses: Phase contrast microscopy fiber counting by National Loss Control Laboratory, Long Grove, Illinois. 7. Analyses: Phase contrast microscopy fiber counting by Kemron, Environmental Health Laboratories, Farmington Hills, Michigan.