Document Xz2Vbm6z1mr8bxaNJQDDRZ80G
ETHYL CORPORATION
INTER-OFFICE
To T. R. Robinson, M.D.
Address gRP
From Subject
J. D. Watts ^ Tank Car Repair Shed - Paint Vapors
Address BRT/BRP
Date
2/26/76
At the request of hydrocarbon maintenance, a survey of the tank car repair shed was conducted during times of paint spray applications. Stationary samples were collected at the repair track, fabrication, and tool chest areas. The environmental samplers were positioned to be as repre sentative of employee exposures as possible without doing personnel monitoring. The request stemmed from employee .complaints concerning the paint vapors and intermittent PVC dust levels.
Sampling Procedure
The samples represent the chemical contaminants found during the actual times of antiknock and/or solvent tank car painting (excluding priming). During each of the sampling periods, a drop canvas was hung from the north eave of the building. The hydrocarbon vapors were collected on activated charcoal at a sample rate of approximately 1.5 liters/minute with subsequent analysis by gas chromatography. Particulate (dust) samples were also collected on an open-faced millipore filter at 2 liters/minute and analyzed gravimetrically.
Discussion and Recommendations
The environmental sampling results (Table I and II shown in attached appendix) indicate that the contaminant levels generated from the paint application are well within the OSHA standards; however, we would like to conduct a further evaluation of the area using the Miran I infra-red analyzer. The paint vehicle (xylene) was found in very low concentrations (<1.0 ppm) and the particulate levels were also in compliance with the Federal standards for nuisance dust (<10 mg/M^).
In the appendix. Table III identifies the paint vehicle components of each of the three paint systems used at the subject area as taken from the manufacturer's material safety data sheet. Although no significant hydrocarbon vapor was found using the charcoal sampling method, the utilization of the Miran instrument could aid in the identification of a potential contaminant not
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Tank Car Repair Shed J. D. Watts 2/26/76 Page 2
being adsorbed on the charcoal. I would also recommend that the precautions continue to be followed as outlined in Mr. H. M. Taylor's previous report (Taylor to D'Armond, November, 1973) on the vapor hazard:
...it is recommended that no open flames, space heaters, or steam pipes be within 20 feet of the point of paint spray due to potential flammability hazards.
In summary, these preliminary findings indicate that the contaminant levels are acceptable in work areas adjacent ~to the paint track with respect to the OSHA regulations. If you should have any questions or comments, please contact me.
JDW:br cc: H. M. Taylor
attachments
J. D. Watts Industrial Hygienist
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butane chloroform
ethyl Cl
methyl Cl perchlor
propane
toluene
T richlor V inyl Cl
V in y lid e n e
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t
TABLE I Environmental Sampling Results
Appendix
Date
Sanple Location
11/7/75 PC,80, S
Repair Track 0.04 South side
Repair Track 0.04 North side
0.07
11/14/75 Repair Track 0.01 <0.04 Clear, North side
52,N
Repair Track 0.01 <0.05 West side
Tool Chest Area
0.02 <0.05
0.02 0.02 0.02
8
0.08
0.08 0.04
0.04 0.05
TO
(N Jjj
H HM
Hp
0.09 0.26 <0.1 <0.1 X
s
r
0.03
CJ
aH
0.09
0.09 0.26 0.41 0.22 X
0.03
0.03 0.06 0.18
0.11 X X <0.01
0.68 0.58
0.03 0.08 0.05 0.03 0.08 0.43
0.04 X X <0.01 0.22 X X <0.01
0.14 1.62
12/5/75 PC,72,
S
Paint Track Stencil Area
0.10
Fabrication 0.11 Area
Tool Chest Area
0.10
0.08 0.13 0.15 <0.01 0.08 0.09 0.05 <0.01 0.08 0.11 0.16 0.03
0.26 0.09 0.29 0.05 0.11 0.2
0.06 X
0.12 <0.01 0.13 \
<0.01 X
0.13 <0.01 <0.02
<0.01 X
0.13 <0.01 0.31
APPENDIX
Date
11/7/75 PC,80,S
12/5/75 PC,72,S
TABLE II
Nuisance Dust Levels
Location
Repair track South side of tank car
Tool Chest Area
Sample Time
136
135
Particulate (mg/M3) 0.57
3.33
/
) /
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TABLE III Paint Components
Identification Chromox Red Primer (13-R-50)
Mobil Enamel Ethyl Gray (26-F-205)
Gloss Tank Car Black Hot Spray (220-J-32)
/
Chemical Component* (% of total weight)
Exempt VM+P naphtha Isopropyl acetate (95%) Butyl cellosolve Zinc chromate pigment Fast aliphatic naphtha Isobutanol
Mineral Spirits Aliphatic naphtha Xylene Dipentene 24% Lead tallate drier
Lead oxide pigment Mineral spirits Aliphatic naphtha Xylene 24% Lead tallate drier
APPENDIX
% Wt.
10 <5 <5 15 10 10
30 10 <5 <5 <5
5 30 20 <5 <5
TLV (ppm)
200 250
50 0.1.mg/MJ 200 100
200 200 100 100 0.15 mg/M
0.1 mg/M3 200 200 100 0.15 mg/M
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is added occasionally during winter months
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