Document Z4K2JwMregyOKgLeLw9B7Zd9O

3-1 ~ 1 | DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A. MICHIGAN DIVISION September 17, 1985 MIDLAND. MICHIGAN 48640 W. Will laws.. __ P1pe/3oiler Shop 593~81dg. cc: H. Stieve, 593 Bldg. S. Gorgacz, 474 Bldg. R. Fegley, 49 Bldg. J. Mathieson, 47 Bldg. F. Sabel, 474 Bldg. While working with personnel in the ?ipe/8oi-ler--shop, I have become aware of several cases of mild to severe "sunburn" resulting from ultra-violet (UV) radiation exposure during welding activities. As a result, l)V radiation was discussed in the August safety meeting, and heavier clothing and/or suntan lotions were suggested as measures to prevent overexposure. As you will recall, the relative merits of various types of protective clothing were discussed and a qualitative test was suggested for determining their effectiveness against UV radiation. On August 28, 1985, tests were conducted using a stationary arc welder. A rack was positioned next to the welding apparatus, first fifteen inches from the weld point, then eight inches away. Shirts made from different types of fabric were hung on the rack and a UV sensor used to measure the amount of UV light passing through the shirt. Results of the test are indicated in the attached table. For the values in the table, the absolute amounts of radiant energy passing throught the shirts were not as important as the amount of 'nergy for one shirt relative to another. As expected, the heaviest weight shirt, 10 ounce nomex, proved to be the best barrier. Of particular interest though, was that the standard shirt worn by Pipe/Boiler shop personnel, the 8 ounce nomex, provided the least protection from UV radiation exposure. The amount of UV-radlation allowed through the 8 ounce nomex was about twice that of a comparable cotton/synethic blend fabric. Of equal interest was an observation not indicated in the table of results. This observation was that a significant percentage of the sparks generated during arc welding passed through the nomex shirt, usually without leaving visible burn holes. This was not true of any of the other shirts, and therefore it is assumed that the nomex fabric had a coarser weave than the other fabrics. Based on these ooservations and the fact that shop personnel are subject to "sunburns," I would have to conclude that 8 ounce nomex is not a good choice of shirt material for sustained welding activity. Heavy nomex wouid appear to be a more appropriate choice. During the warm season, if UV exposure is the only consideration, material other than heavy nomex would seem to be the most practical choice. as fOB OP COW Comical COMPANY WITH'N Ty[ "OMOAN* ==Qualttv== Performance VpNKtt NVy** MU'* DO 074981 CONFIDENTIAL W. williams September 17, 1985 Page 2 ULTRA-VIOLET (UV) LIGHT TRANSMISSION THROUGH VARIOUS FABRICS FABRIC TYPE UV Radiation Transmission,* Milliwatts/cnr 8 INCHES** 15 INCHES Nomex, 8 ounce, blue, worn shirt 240 40 Cotton/synthetic blend, 3 ounce, gray, worn shirt 130 20 Cotton/polyester blend, 3 ounce, blue, new shirt 25 <5 Nomex/Kevlar blend, 12 ounce, blue, used shirt 0 0 *Measured radiation energy levels are not necessarily significant, use for comparative purposes only **D1stance from UV-source in inches G. J. Roush Industrial Hygiene Services 474 Building Phone: 6-5365 kat