Document RpLmjGk3VdxN8BEv69k8nwZaX
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Interoffice Communication
to R, E. Lehmkuhl - Houston
From
J. E. Cearley - Lake Charles
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Date Subject
January 5, 1976
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Proposed Schedule for 1976-1977 Chemical Exposure Abatement Program
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The initial comprehensive monitoring of the first group of chemicals (Table 1) considered as "high risk11 has been completed, and we now know which cf these chemicals have the greatest potential for employee exposure to unacceptable levels. Additional chemicals have been added to the monitoring list as the sampling program progressed. The results of the sampling program for the period of June through November, 1975, are presented in Table 2.
The results of the sampling and analyses for the chemicals monitored thus far indicate time-weighted employee exposures are below the action level. The primary exposure problems encountered have been the short-term high level exposures that exceed the ceiling and/or maximum peak concentrations; i.e., methyl chloride, hydrogen chloride, benzene, and ammonia. Corrective measures to reduce these short-term high level exposures to acceptable concentrations are either in the planning stages or are being carried out (Table 3).
The proposed schedule for monitoring of chemicals in the plant for the next two years (1976-1977) is presented in Table 4. We will attempt to adhere to this schedule, although proposed and finalized standards for various chemicals by OSHA may change the priority of our sampling schedule. Our existing man power prevents us from moving ahead any faster than what is proposed.
The general format that will be followed in our sampling program is as follows:
1. In all monitoring, samples representative of each job classifica tion for all shifts will be collected. We will attempt to monitor at least 50* of the employees in each operation or process. In addition to Operations personnel, Maintenance employees will be monitored, particularly during turnaround and major repair work where the potential for high level exposures is greatest.
2. Monitoring of an operation or process will be repeated at least monthly when the concentration has been found to exceed the action level.
3. If the concentrations exceed the recommended TLV standards, monitoring will be conducted at biweekly intervals until two consecutive surveys indicate the adequacy of the control measures taken.
MCD 000009330
R. E. lehmkuhl Page 2 January 5, 1976
4. Samples will be collected semi-annually for those chemicals below the action level and considered as "high risk;" i.e., methyl chloride, hydrogen chloride, ethylene oxide, and benzene. Other chemicals below the action level will be monitored every 12 to 18 months, depending on the chemical's toxicity and the potential that exists for employee exposure.
5. For those chemicals that have relatively high established TLV values, and we are assured exposures do not approach the action levels, written determinations will be made and placed in our files. Some of the chemicals currently believed to fit this category are butadiene, pentane, LPA solvent, propane-propylene, and various raw materials and supplies, such as various Nalco products.
We currently are considering placing phosgene in this category, since a phosgene analyzer has been installed on the HC1 feed line and 01in Chemical is in the process of installing an analyzer at their facility. In addition, we analyze the methyl chloride product four to five times daily, and we know how much phosgene must be present in the product for the potential of exposure to unacceptable levels to exist.
6. As time permits, training programs will be developed for the various chemicals. We realize the importance of training programs, but our manpower is such that we are unable to develop this area as rapidly as we would like.
7. Routine plant inspections (one to two times per month) will be made to evaluate housekeeping activities and work habits in the various units.
8. Where feasible, engineering design changes will be made to reduce employee exposures to acceptable levels. Where engineering controls are not feasible, personal protective equipment will be utilized.
The Chemical Plant will adhere to this format as much as possible, although proposed and finalized OSHA regulations for various chemicals may require changes in our current schedule. In addition, there are no established sampling and analytical procedures for some of the chemicals to be monitored, and we may run into difficulties here.
J. E. Cearley
mbr Enclosures
MCD 000009331
cc: RDG RAC RHG DDZ COP
TABLE 1
Chemical --
Methyl Chloride
8-Hour Tine
Weighted Average
100 ppn
Action Level
50 ppm
Acceptable Ceiling
Concentration 1
Acceptable Maxirun Peak Above the Acceptable Ceiling Concentration for an S-Hcur Shif*
200 pon (5 minutes in every 3 hrs.)
300 ppm
Methanol
200 ppn
100 ppm
-
-
Hydrogen Chloride
-
2.5 ppm
5 ppm
-
Phosgene
-
0.025 ppm
0.05 ppm
-
Ethylene Oxide
50 ppm
25 ppm
-
Benzene
10 ppm
5 ppm
25 ppm (10 minutes)
50 ppm
Sulfuric Acid
1 mg/m3
0.5 mg/n3
-
-
Butanol
50 ppm
25 ppm
*
Hexanol
Mo Establi shed TLV
w.nanol
1000 ppn
500 ppn
-
-
Acetic Acid
10 ppm
5 ppm
-
-
Ammonia
- 25 ppm 50 ppm (5 minutes)
-
Carbon Monoxide
50 ppm
25 ppm
-
-
Vinyl Chloride
1 ppm
0.5 ppm
5 ppm (15 minutes)
-
Chlorine
1 ppm
0.5 ppm
-
-
Calcium Hydroxide
2 mg/m3
1 mg/m3
-
-
Asbestos
Tv/o Fibers
(> 5 microrr ;ters)/cc of air
Monitoring handled by Safety MCD 000009332
TABLE 1 (CONTD.)
NOTE: 1. Acceptable Ceiling Concentration (C) - Those chemicals preceded by a UC" shall at~no tire exceed tne ceiling value given for that material in the table, unless a maximum peak value is designated.
2. 8-Hour Tine Weighted Averaee - An employee's exposure to a designated chemical snali ret exceed tne 8-hour time weighted average in any 8hour work shift of a 40-hour work week.
3. Action-Level - The action level is one-half the TLV; if exposures are below this level, then no further action is required, other than monitoring every 6 months. However, if exposures are greater than the action level, then more frequent monitoring is required (generally monthly), medical surveillance rust be implemented, control mearures must be improved, and various other requirements are necessary.
4. Maximum Peak Above Acceptable Ceiling Concentration - The ceiling standard may oe exceeceo for sr.crc-periocs (generally 5 to 30 minutes) up to a concentration defined as "acceptable maximum peak above the acceptable ceiling concentration for an 8-hour shift."
MCD 000009333
4 Chcmlcol
^Action
TABLE ^Action LevelK Knx Permissible Level
_>Knx Permissible Level
Method
mod 000009334
Methyl Chloride
1*99 L 12
50
Methanol
65^0 n
101
Hydrogen Chloride
120 1*
Eulfurlo Add Ammonia
Acetic Acid pcnxuno
6
9
33 10
13
20B7 116
11
Ethyleno Oxldq
Chlorine Carbon Monoxide Jleaanol
23`;3
12
C
127
72
*539" 12
Ethanol
5290 U
putanol
UU'io 12
Vinyl ChlorUe phosgene
" .u
99b
a~Ca*iplc veroged 1.0 p(M
b>All oplco leca then .15 h1*
(1} l'.ulti-r.oii*plc point Environmental GC
` TWA - TU.o Wokfl.tcd Avcraja Grab Grub
823 0 6
228 0 1
0 0
0
0 6
it
2
3J
3 0
5 0 2
0
l
0
. 0
0
Wrt. 0
0
*p
*
165 CD 0 TWA 12(6 above max pcok) Grnb
175 (D 0 TWA 0 Drover
1 Proper 1 TWA
0 TYJA
0 TWA 7 Drnscr it Arou-Monltorlflg
3 Drogcr
1058
CD
* hrn^cr
0 r.w
9 0
CD .
TWA
2 Grub
0 Draper
0 Droacr
CD 0 r*u
0 (D
0 TWA
379
0
(D
TWA
0 TWA t
0 Drager
TABLE 3 CORRECTIVE MEASURES FOR REDUCING CHEMICAL EXPOSURES
00093 35
CHEMICAL Ammonia
HC1 Ethylene Oxide
UNIT
Waste Water Holding Pond (Nutrient Addition) Alcohol
Methyl Chloride
Ethoxylation
MAJOR SOURCE(S) OF EXPOSURE
Filling of Ammonium Hydroxide Storage and Day Tank; Discharge for Day Tank
Filling of Ammonium Hydroxide Storage Tank - Vents to Atmosphere
Sampling HC1 Feedstock
Vent used to Blowdown ETO Reactor at Grade Level
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Discharge and vent lines extended to below the water level of the Influent waste water
Vent line rerouted to Acid Hold ing Pit and extended to below the water level
Redesign sampling system enclosed loop
Install knockout pot and vent to atmosphere
COMPLETION DATE
2-1-76 4-1-76 2-1-76
Methyl Chlgride
Methyl Chloride
Benzene
Ethylene Ethylene Offsites
Loading of Tank Cars - Venting to Atmosphere Blooding of Knockout Drums Sample n.Hi,b Collections Additions of Caustic to T 11?0 Various Vents, Pellef Valves, and HI coders
Quench Water Settler Vent off of Light Aromatics Distillate Tower
API Separator at Waste Water Holding Pond Manholes along Ethylene Oily Water Sewer Line
Designs currently underway to provide engineering changes for reduction of emissions
Monitoring for benzene has recently been completed and the data is being evaluated.
Reconvnendation as to corrective measures needed are being pre pared
Design to be complete by February 1, 1976
Recommenda tions by 1-31-76
STATUS
Complete
Work rescheduled due to priority
Design issued 12-30-75 Original cost estimate was hic;h; project red:.siri'.ed work rescheduled Assigned to Process Engineering for design work
Recommendations .is to corrective action needed being pre pared
TABLE 4
CHEMICAL
UNIT
Methyl Chloride Methanol Hydrogen Chloride Sulfuric Acid Ethylene Oxide
Benzene Vinyl Chloride Ammonia Hydrogen Sulfide Butanol Ethanol Hexanol
Carbon Monoxide Chlorine Calcium Hydroxide Acetic Acid Chromate Mercury
Hexane Phosphoric Acid Caustic Sulfur Dioxide Methyl Chloride Hydrogen Chloride Ethylene Oxide Benzene
Sulfur Dioxide TBC TPT Nalco Products
Methyl Chloride Methanol Ethylene Oxide Benzene Vinyl Chloride
January 1 - February 15, 1976
Methyl Chloride Methyl Chloride, Ethylene Methyl Chioride Methyl Chloride, Alcohol, Cooling Towers Ethoxylation
February 15 - Mav 1, 1975
Ethylene, Ethylene Offsites Ethylene Alcohol, Ethylene Offsites Normal Paraffin Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol
May 1 - June 1, 1976
Alcohol Ethylene and Alcohol Cooling Towers Steam Plant Ethoxylation Alcohol Cooling Tower East and West Shops
June 1 - Auoust 1, 1976
Alcohol Ethylene Offsites, Ethoxylation Ethylene, Methyl Chloride Steam Plant Methyl Chloride Methyl Chloride Ethoxylation Ethylene, Ethylene Offsites
Auqust 1 - October 31, 1976
Normal Paraffin, Methyl Chloride Ethylene Alcohol Ethylene, Ethylene Offsites, Normal
Paraffin Methyl Chloride Methyl Chloride Ethoxylation Ethylene, Ethylene Offsites Ethylene
MC-I) 000009336
TABLE 4 COfrrO.1
CHEMICAL
Butanol Ethanol Hexanol Total Hydrocarbons Merox
Methyl Chloride Methanol Hydrogen Chloride Sulfuric Acid Ethylene Oxide Benzene Vinyl Chloride Sulfur Dioxide
Ammonia Hydrogen Sulfide Butanol Ethanol Hexanol Sulfur Dioxide Carbon Monoxide A1umina
Methyl Chloride Ethylene Oxide Benzene Vinyl Chloride Chlorine
Caustic
Phosphoric Acid Hexane Sulfur Dioxide Calcium Hydroxide Acetic Acid
UNIT
November 1 - December 31, 1976
A1cohol Alcohol Alcohol ATE Quench, Waste Water Holding Pond Ethylene, Ethylene Offsites
January 1 - March 31, 1977
Methyl Chloride Methyl Chloride Methyl Chloride Methyl Chloride, Cooling Towers Ethoxylation Ethylene, Ethylene Offsites Ethylene Ethylene
April 1 - June 30, 1977
Alcohol, Ethylene Offsites Normal Paraffin A1cohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol
July 1 - September 30, 1977
Methyl Chloride Ethoxylation Ethylene, Ethylene Offsites Ethylene Ethylene and Alcohol Cooling Towers
October 1 - December 31, 1977
Methyl Chloride, Ethylene, Ethylene Offsites
Ethoxylation, Ethylene Offsites Alcohol Normal Paraffin, Methyl Chloride Steam Plant Ethoxylation
MCD 000009337
METHOD
1, 2 1. 2 1. 2
2 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
1
1 1 1 1 1
TABLE 4 (CONI'D.)
NOTE: Monitoring for asbestos will be conducted whenever employees come in contact v.itn the material, which is only when old insulation is removed. Monitoring is handled by Safety. 1. Personal Dosimetry 2. Mobile Multi-Point GC
MCD 000009338