Document VjZBzDo5weY1QQYjmQLjVgG18

. i W. C. Strader R. F. Cope, Jr. * : Asbestos - Diaphragm Preparation <V .Sodium Operations L> * ^Vi? /f ->/ /.C- U' New Orleans New Orleans PLAINTIFFS .^EXHIBIT, 'f?ETgQ'-4S'fi -- -ssK*i*.5aS July 13. 1970 On July 8, 1970, air samples were'taken relative to the handling of dry asbestos at the subject location. The asbestos is handled while making a slurry with which to prepare diaphragms. Slurries are pre pared on a daily basis and the work is usually performed at the beginning of the work shift (about 7 A.M.). The operation had already been com pleted on the day scheduled for survey of the procedure; however, several employees in the building simulated the handling of the asbestos fibers at which time air samples were taken. Two types of asbestos (long and short fiber) are h?.ndled in this operation. The dry asbestos is weighed on a scale (4 lbs. of long fiber and 54 lbs. of short fibers) and then is dumped into a vat where a slurry is mixed. Since the actual slurry mixing involves a wet process-not felt likely to be hazardous, the mixing site was not surveyed; however, the weighing and pouring of the dry fibers was examined. It takes about ten minutes to complete the weighing and pouring of the fibers into the vat. According to shop rupcrvislon, this.particular job is rotated among employees and the same employee will perform this task about once every five days. Atmospheric samples were taken in the immediate area about 8:30 A. M. where the two asbestos fibers are weighed. Results of examination of the samples was as follows (all samples were taken in the breathing Bone): Site of Sampling Before weighing the dry asbestos Result I No asbestos fibers were identified in this sample During weighing of the asbestos Less than 0.1 rappef# Immediately after the weigh ing and pouring operation Less than 0.1 mppcf* ETc 16022 g-02B3k Si Asbestos - Diaphragm Preparation Sodium Operations Page 2 Site of Sampling . Re suit Approximately 30 minutes after the weighing and pouring operation Less than 0.1 mppcf* * mppcf - million particles per cubic foot of air. A few fibers were noted but precision of counting is not so accurate that more definite numbers should be presented. The threshold limit value (TLV) which is presently recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH) for asbestos fiber dust is 2 mppcf. This ve.lue is based on a possibility of repeated exposures for 8 hour work days. Operations being performed here are for even lesser periods. Our samples which were taken under simulated conditions at the operation site did not re veal, amounts of asbestos dust fibers in the breathing zone that are considered hazardous according to the above criteria. RFC/mh ccs R. C. A. Bock, M. D. George Roush, M. D. Robert F. Cope, Jr. Industrial Hygienist ETC 16023 B~02537