Document OJ33D0BK0BYejN3beKzGRaK9e

1x Odor MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS ASSOCIATIONCHEMICA RESEARC 12S CONNECTICUT AVENUE. N.W. WASHINGTON. 0. C. 20009 (202) <B3-6126 ^ Copies-for: RWC JDBu JJL LNV KLS (RLL CLW) WRS DVP RCW (EAS REL) FK wnru> OCK AJLu W9S LM To: Technical Task Group on Vinyl Chi Subject: Odor Threshold for Vinyl Chloride Gentlemen: Mr. T. N. Wheeler has kindly provided us with the attached report from their plant laboratory on its determina tion of the odor threshold for vinyl chloride monomer. He suggests that prior estimates of employee exposure based upon odor intensity judgments be reevaluated in the light of these new data. Sincerely, Kenneth D. Johnson, Ph.D. SecretaryTechnical Task Group on Vinyl Chloride Research KDJ/mb Enclosure ' cc: Dr. D. P. Duffield Mr. A. W. Barnes Dr. Tiziano Garlanda DEPOSITION EXHIBIT Z DEPOSITION EXHIBIT Tj P-. e, tO -30 004-1974-00001302 vvc 000006069 (MO IS-WW UNJOPJ ' CARESJDE PLANT LABORATORY . < r _ JUL 0 5 137-1 K N. WhEELEft, JR, UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION CHEMICALS ANO PLASTICS SOUTH CHARLESTON PLANT P.o.aox (064 SOUTH CHARLESTON. *.VA. 1530J VINYL CHLORIDE MONOMER THRESHOLD ODOR CONCENTRATION IN AIR SUMMARY As the result of some discrepancies existing in the literature 1,2, for the Threshold Odor Level of vinyl chloride monomer in air, a study was initiated by the South Charleston Plant Odor Panel to determine the lowest detectable odor level of VCM in air. These data arc tabulated in Table 1. DISCUSSION A series of six samples of vinyl chloride monomer and a blank were presented to the odor panel for deter mination of the Threshold Odor Level. The samples wererprepared in increasing concentration over odorless distilled water in 250-ml Erlen- meyer flasks with stainless steel caps and submitted to a panel of seve people with instructions to record the first detectable odor. Each panelist tested the samples individually, so that there was no collusic among panelists. A sample of the VCM vapor was then taken and analyzed by an AID Gas Chromatograph Model 511, hydrogen flame detector equipped with an 8 ft. column packed with Poropalc Q 50-80 mesh. These data were corrected for the water vapor pressure and calculated to normal gas volume conditions, 0"C and 760 mm mercury. The tests and analytical data were duplicated. CONCLUSION Individuals vary greatly as to the minimum concentration which is barely detectable. Our most sensitive odor panelists barely detected an odor of VCM at 1200 ppm. Normal odor detection level of VCM is at 2000 ppm. The normal detection level of VCM for the average untrained person is probably higher than 2000 ppm. An explanation as to why discrepancies have existed in the Threshold Odor Level is the fact that VCM is now a much purer commercial product than it was years ago and the odor detecteedd was probably due to soome impurity rather than VCM. ^ --\ ( f\ .^Lxt 004-1974-00001305 mmnummiirai \MJ7 |k. Gvi i i i t h Chairman th Charleston Oddr Panel 7h3 ^ Plant VVC 000006072 C.'VrtlL JE PLaRT L 'BORATOR, , JUL5l974 UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION CHEMICALS ANO PLASTICS south CHARLC5T0N i>uaht c.o.oax S004 -- SOUTH OiAHLCSTCn. W.VA. 2*303 VINYL CHLORIDE MONOMER THRESHOLD . ODOR CONCENTRATION IN AIR The Odor Panelists have been screened for proficiency the Arthur D. Little, Inc., Co. and have an average of 10 years experience in odor detections and evaluations. These screening results are on file In the South Charleston Plant Laboratory. by test Mr. Griffith, the chairman and moderator of the testing program is a graduate chemist and a member of the American Society for Testing and Materials E-18 Committee. This committee was founded in 19G0 to promote knowledge, stimulate research, state principles and develop recommended practices in all areas of sensory evaluation of materials and products. Fields of interest currently represented Include air pollution, clothing and textiles, metals and appliances, beverages and liquors, manufactured food products, flavors and fragrances, agricultural commodities, naval stores, tobacco, chemicals, paints and varnishes, paper and plastics, telephone, railroads, petro leum and allied products, laboratory equipment, packaging materials and pharmaceuticals. lie is currently co-chairman of a Task Group to develop a recommended practice for odor of chemicals. Mr. Griffith represents the Kanawha Valley Union Carbide Locations on this committee MAA/Jjh 7" A. Ait ken Director of Laboratories 004-1974-00001303 0*0 IO.I8M i I I i 00i PLAN! LAk ORATOR; n i. w Jt, 'l - * N' m.-J CAR8I0E CORPORATION CMEVICALS ANO PLASTICS south charucst3tt_ r- `.O.OOX 0004 SOUTH OtARUrrOt. .VA. TABLE I *4 i THRESHOLD ODOR LEVEL OP VINYL CHLORIDE MONOMER IN AIR r.yl Chloride Monomer in Air ppm Blank 133 350 680 1200 1960 3800 Number of Panelists that^ Detected VCM Odor 0 0 '0 0 2 7 7 004-1974-00001306 / VVC 000006073 UNION CARBIDE PLANT LABORATORY JUL 05 19m K WHEEU-R..JR. UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION CHEMICALS ANO PLASTICS 3 OUTM charleston plant P.O.BOX 9004 SOUTH CHARLESTON. W.VA. 15303 1 REFERENCES 1. SDE-56 Vinyl Chloride Issued 1972 Page 6, Paragraph 3.1.2. Manufacturing Chemists Association Threshold Odor 260 ppm 2. Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology Patty, F. A. and Associates Interscience Publishers 1962 Volume 2 Page 1304 4100 ppm lowest level VCM odor can be detected. 3. Basic Principles of Sensory Evaluation STP 433 American Society for Testing and Materials 4. Manual on Sensory Testing Methods STP 434 American Society for Testing and Materials 5. Correlation of SubJctive~0bjective Methods In the Study of Odors and Taste STP 440 American Society for Testing and Materials I 4 t I 004-1974-00001304 I VVC 000006071