Document X7n28zrk85435yZNG8d5Z689G

MAH ^4 monsamto iNOurrmAt gmuicaus co. BOO N, Undb*r|h Boulirtrd St. Leult. Uliteurl 83168 Phn! 014) BI41OO0 March 28, 1975 Mocas emmtuj a Mr. Dan A. Albert Staff Supervisor . Personnel Relations - Westinghouse Electric Corporation ' Highway 58 West South Boston, Virginia 24592 ' , . Dear Mr. Alberti - Attached are responses to the questions listed In your ' letter dated February 3* 1975 In addition to the industrial hygiene practices described In our responses to your questions, I cannot overemphasize the need to properly control the use and handling of Inerteens to prevent their escape into the environment. Also, in discussing this information with your employees, I strongly recommend that the perspective gained from over 40 years of experience in which no human ham has resulted, ' be emphasized. In summary, the proper handling of Inerteens should pose no environmental or human health problems, permitting society18 continued use of f very valuable material. '. ' I hope the above information it useful to you. If I can be of further service please let me know. . Sincerely, VBP:pd W. B. Papageorge . Manager, Product Acceptability Specialty & Process Chemicals WATER PCB-SD0000015236 (. . l X- ' V. .1 Question* Does Inerteen have permanent effects on the human body? If so, what type of permanent damage and f how long a period of.time does it take for this to develop? If not, explain why, if possible. The polychlorinated biphenyls in Inerteen can have permanent effect* on the human body. The length of time or period of exposure necessary to develop symptoms depends on the degree or amount, of exposure. In general a. single exposure for a few minutes to atmospheric concentrations that cause irritation to the eyes and/or respiratory tract would not be expected to cause either the skin eruptions or demonstrabl liver injury. The problem arises from repeated and prolonged exposure to atmospheric concentrations in excess of the accepted Threshold Limit Levels ox repeated and prolonged skin contact. The polychlorinated biphenyls have not been recognized as skin irritants" in the same sense that caustic materials or many organic chemicals are irritants. Because of their "solvent" action in removing the natural fats and oils from the skin leadin to drying and chapping, repeated and prolonged skin contact should be avoided. Wien the polychlorinated biphenyls axe mixed with other chlori nated hydrocarbons/ the mixture may be classified as & skin irritant. The potential toxic effects in humans from excessive exposure . to polychlorinated biphenyls include injury to the liver and chloracne. In animals, the liver effect is demonstrated by increased liver weights and injury to cellular tissue. Although chloracne is difficult to evaluate in animals, in humans, this takes the form of comedones (large blackheads with typical, acne pustules) and may be an external sympton of over exposure pre ceding serious liver injury. _ ' Animal data and human experience indicate that the' toxic effects are similar whether exposure results from ingestion, inhalation of vapors, or absorption of the liquid material through the un ' * broken skin. ' ; (See AIHA Hygienic Guide Series - "Chlorodiphenyls* attached.) 2. Question? Several hourly employees have mentioned recently that many chemicals such as Inerteen cause sterilization . after prolonged use. Is this true? There is no evidence that polychlorinated biphenyls cause sterilization" in humans. 100728 WATER PCB-SD0000015237 3. Questions Since Jnerteea Effects birds and other animals, if there is no real effect to human beings, hw do ' you explain it to employees in such a way that they will understand why it can kill a bird and not m hmmn? _ There is a potential real effect to humans - including death - #. as discussed in the answer to Question 1, ' .* i * Due to differences in metabolism of food (and food contami nants) in birds and humans (and particularly the difference " in the reproduction, process in birds and mananals - including humans), birds are particularly sensitive to many chlorinated hydrocarbons including polychlorinated biphenyls. ., 4. Questions If an employee spills Inerteen on hi* clotting and later takes -the clothing home to be washed with' other clothes, will this here any effect oa him or his family and. should he carry his clothes home to be washed? ' '' There should not be. any effect on an employee or his family . from home laundering of work clothing. If washed with other clothing, there may be residual dor of the chlorinated hydrocarbons in the clothing. . Question: Employees carry Inerteen home on the soles of their shoes and complain quite a bit about the effect Inexteen has on wearing out of their shoes. Is this a serious problem? Will Inerteen in the soles and leather of shoes, over a long period of time, have an effect on the feet and - skin since the shoe is the, only protective equipment we wear on' our feet and the Inerteen penetrates through the " leather. .. There should not be polychlorinated biphenyl oa the floor for workmen to contaminate their shoes to carry home. The plasti cizer or solvent action will destroy or. shorten the life of .the shoes.' More importantly, the wearing of contaminated shoes could lead to absorption of the liquid through the soles of the feet as through any other unbroken skin surface. * Question: There is one employee in our plant who had no pro- . blea whatsoever with Inerteen years ago. Mfeex six years of using, now when be voiks in Inerteen (which is a part ' of his job) be develops a swelling on the inner bicep of bis left arm, only in one location. Could this be from Inerteen _ or not? It goes away as soon as he gets out of the Inerteen. ` _ It is similar to the swelling after taking an Injection. I WATER PCB-SD0000015238 We do not believe there can be any association between "a swelling on the inner bleep" of the arm end exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls. Question: Are there hand cleaning solvent materials that we should be using when working in Inerteen to coat our skin before working in it and to wash it off after we finish working in it? Please- give your recommendation. Our employees working in Inerteen . are not ablt to use glove* since it is an assembly area. Even if they could, the Inerteen would destroy the protective glove. '' We assume the Question refers to the use of "Barrier Creams" rather than a "hand cleaning solvent" There 'are a number of barrier creams available to protect workers against water insoluble solvents Probably the most effective include silicone "to provide an impenetrable shield". A problem with such creams is that they may offer a false sense., of security. < Proper use includes a discipline which requires liberal appli cation at the beginning of a work, shift and after each washing of the hands during the work day. 10072 WATER PCB-SDOOOO015239