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minutes of the asbestos textile institute AIR Klein CCM-iITTEE HEETXHO September 7> 1955 IN ATTENDANCE WIRE: D. ?.. Holmes J. U, Ueber T*) CWo c--1 ,-h H ii Ja.ck3on ' The Air Hygiene Committee was most pleased to have as its guests representatives of the Quebec Mining Association - Dr* Paul Cartier, llr. Ivan Sabourin and Hr, Maurice La Chance, Mr. Sabourin, general counsel for the" 0*A,iijA. told of the history end function of that association. The Quebec Asbestos Mining Association has been operating for approximately 20 years, and its membership represents approximately 65of the world supply of asbestos fibre. As an industry association, it functions quite similarly to the Asbestos Textile Institute, Considerable attention is given the health problems of the industry. There are tiro medical clinicsj one at Asbestos, the other at Thetford, both fully staffed and with complete hospital facilities. Pre-employment and periodic health examinations are provided for: all workers. Safety engineering services have been provided by the Association to its members for a number of years, 1-iore recently, an industrial hygiene engineer has been added to its staff. As a result of the industry emphasis on health, safety and. dust control for the past ten years, there are practically no new cases of asbes-. tosis other than those with twenty or more years exposure, iir. Sabourin stated that the present major health problans of the industry pertained to the relation ship of heart difficulties and cancer to asbestos exposure. Dr, Paul Cartier told of the operation of the Thetford Clinic. Established in 19h5, the Clinic provides health servicos to the Thetford people. Pre-employment and periodic annual examinations include an X-ray and electrocardiagram, as well as the other usual examination features. Commenting on the occurrence of asbestosis, Dr. Cartier indicated that after ten years exposure, about 5C would have some histological evidence of asbestosis (minimal tissue changes not sufficient to be observed on the X-ray), 1CC would have seme radiological evidence and 2% might have some clinical evidence of disability from asbestosis. In reference to the pulmonary cancer experience in'the industry. Dr. Cartier stated that in the ten years of the clinic's operation, there have been fifteen cases of _ cancer observed. Nine of these on autopsy showed sene histological evidence of asbestosis. In six, however, there was no evidence of asbestosis. This experi ence would indicate a very much lower attack rate than that reported from the British experience of 12, ' Minutes of Air Hygiene Committee -2 October 17, 1955 Autopsy study is made of every occupational disease claim case, and as many others as possible. Dr, Cartier stated that this was of utmost importance not only in determining the extent of liability, but also in increasing the .knowledge of the disease process. Hie clinic has not done any work with intermittent, positive pressure breathing, although seme use of cortisone is being made. The experience to date, however, has been insufficient to justify any conclusions. Dr, Cartier expressed the opinion that considerable research must be ccne in the fields of cancer and heart to define more clearly the role, if any, played by in halation of asbestos, Mr, Maurice La Chance told of the experience in dust control in the nines and mills of the Association members. Annual dust surveys are made at eleven mines and re ports submitted to each. The standard U, S. 3ureau of Mines technique is used for surveying with the midget impinger. For fibre evaluation, the definition of the length being three times the width is applied, in-. La Chance stated that since the program was inaugurated in 19U8, the average dust concentrations have been reduced 5o2* la general, the fibre content of the total dust count ranged from 12 to 122, In his opinion, the most effective dust collector system to date is the bag type viheelabrator unit, John VJeber reported cn the bag dumping unit now in operation in his plant. Photo graphs were shown and John indicated that full details may be obtained from the Wilkra Company, ?1 Denton Avenue, Hew Hyde Pari:, Long Island, H, I, Although cust counts have not yet been taken, visual observation indicates complete con trol of this usually dusty operation. The unit has not been in operation suf- ficiently long to estimate the maintenance and operating coot. The shaking cycle is less than one minute per bag, and John indicated that the bags were shaken considerably cleaner than by the hand method, A general discussion of fibre conditioning agents was held, and it was suggested that the experience of our associate members might bo of value to the technical, committee which is further investigating this problem, l.'e herewith extend an invitation to each associate mer/oer to forward a summary of its experience with fibre conditioning as a means of preventing dust control. H, ii, Jackson Chairman Air Hygiene Committee > r Du3t Control by Keans of Fiber Treatment as Practiced in the Asbestos Textile Industry Introduction Down through the years the Manufacturers of asbestos textiles and other asbestos products have endeavored to reduce and control the ancint of dust re sulting fron the processing of fibers utilized by this industry. Other fiber processing industries have successfully used oils and emulsions for such purposes and it has been assumed that some such techniques should be as applicable and equally successful idthin the asbestos industries. However, such has not proven to be wholly the case and, in uost instances, the results have not warranted the processing involved* In order that a composite picture aid understanding of the industry's efforts along theso lines night be had, the Air Hygiene Ccr.xu.ttee of the Asbestos Textile Institute iias collected and assembled the views and expressions of experience of its members and the campliation of these remarks is herewith set forth. The indent!ties of the contributors are not here revealed, however, the results as reported are verbatim as submitted and the over-all expressions present the re- ~ presentative vievrs of that segment of our industry which is cooperating in this endeavor. : Company A - (1) ; Cur experience in using Asbestos Fiore conditioning oils, emulsions, water, etc. dates back to January 1925* Cur first experience was use of the Doume bchrymser Process of applying Dretcn Ilineral Oil "E". Thi3 oil was applied by sprays into the Fearnought Picker - Feed Hopper - appro ximately 21* - by weight. After probably two (2) years it was abandoned with conclusions as follows:- Ho noticeable tifferer.ee in dust reduction. Tests showed no improvement in waste, ruruiing conditio.is, or in yarn tensile. Plenty cf trouble was had :rith trnequal distribution of the oil - gobs of oil soaked fibre which clogged up our card clothing. In 1929 we used iil and 2 Furnace Oil (Gas Oil), This too was sprayed into the Picker Feed Hopper (DeVilbi3S Spray). About by weight was applied* Dust, seemed to be less but dost counts were not then being taken. __We tried an emulsion uith Fuel Oil, also soluble cutting oil, and Atlantic Wool Oil "D". This latter was used on harsh Arizona Fibre and Amosite. The yarns containing Fuel Oil could be used only for Woven Friction Ilaterials not on any product containing rubber. In 1930 wo aspirated our stock to the 2nd Floor by air - then tried spraying the oil into the ducts. This was very unsatisfactory due to stock sticking to the pipes. 082164 ( -2' We used sprinkling cans at the batching units. This application was as satisfac tory as' any spraying but still vie got oil soaked gobs of stock. Cur oiled stock was stored in large bins - tre had to discontinue oiling at this period because of the fire hazard. Vie then used an emulsion 89 pounds Gulf ;"372 oil, 100 pounds water, 2.8 pounds Triethanolomine and 6 po*\nds Oleic Acid. In 1538 we blended Furnace oil two (2) bol'imes with Gulf oil i/372 one (l) volume. In 19h0 we used Sun Oil Co. u$92 Asbestos Fibre conditioning oil also used Sun Oil #538 This we used for about three (3) years. In fact we installed two (2) 5CC0 gallon tanks and bought in carload lot3. This was applied to the batch by sprinkling can. ` Vie tried Gulf v560 with a flash point 320 degrees F. In 19U* vie installed the Texas Company^ Texspray on our cotton machine - we hoped to get enough oil on the cotton so that in carding the asbestos would ab sorb sufficient to reduce the dust. Ue could apply only about *Sf* (1/2 of IS). This only helped to reduce the static in unrolling the blend of cotton and rayon laps. It did not reduce dust at the cards. ( In January 19U7 we discontinued oiling asbestos stock. In our experience we have run a card for six (6) weeks with stock wet with water by sprinkling cans at the batch. Running conditions were satisfactory and no damage done the card clothing. v.:e use a snail amount of Amoeite - this is wet in the pan crusher with water. It is the opinion of cur iiill Management and our Laboratory that it takes 8 to lCfl water or oil to appreciably reduce asbestos dust and in carding this is detrimental to good running conditions. In 1951 our interest was again revived in tliis subject because of a report from an Asbestos Manufacturer in England. It w?s reported that this company is oiling asbestos stock by loading about 1500 pounds in a cylinder lit feet x 3 feet and apraying oil therein while the cylinder is revolving. They are using 502 mineral oil, 50/J water plus tile emulsifying agent. V/q have dona no experimental work along thi3 line. .. Company A - (2) The unit ue use to moisten asbestos yarn on uhitin I--Frame bobbins (approximately 26 or.) is the Hygrolit 2am. Conditioning iiachine (print enclosed), made by Kearny ilfg. Co., Inc., Kearny, New Jersey - Model i;3A2 modified. The "modified" means that the nachine does not contain pomp and filters usually furnished as a part of the machine when recirculating the wetting agent. Kearny Company make < and sell this compound. 1/e use only water. This equipment was installed in 11ay 1950 - we started to wet all yams, both metallic and non-metallic except those h3ed in our Packing Dept, which yams are treated with various oil compounds. 0^2.1 06 -> Ue Mae wood bobbins and experienced splitting duo to water until we treated the bobbin with Pentaoll ^ The percentage of moisture picked up by two passes averaged 7 to &' - 15* on outside of the bobbin and about 5* on the inside after standing in a truck covered with wet blanket for ii to 0 hours The percentage of moisture in the twisted yam varied from 5 to 72 depending on type and amount of brass, zinc, copper cr lead ^Jire, During the three year period in oporating ue experienced difficulty with one type of yarn after another - yarn containing brass and sine uiro after being in the bins for weeks corroded, and caused trouble in weaving. Since the yarns are not uniformly wetted Ma'd get spots very, wet. This reduced the tensile in 12 cut and lighter yarns to the extent that the yams broke at tire bobbin ( our bobbins are placed horizontally on the twi3ter spindles). Last July and August was very humid and for several months we discontinued use of the Hygrolit machine* October 1953 we again started it's use but put the yam thru once only which cut the amount of moisture in half, Ue are not too much concerned about the variation in moisture from yard to yard because in twisting 2, 3, or L ply the finished yam is pretty vjiiform* Personally I cannot see any great advantage in running with % moisture* Our experience is and has been that it takes 7 to moisture to reduce the dust to any extent, _ Ue have not had dust counts taken to measure the difference but are now consider ing purchasing equipment and training a man to do so. Within the last five years ve have replaced sane of our twisters with fly frames and know that the dust is less on these machines. To what extent this is af fected by spindle speed wa do not know. This week we are cutting the twister spindle speed from 22CQ to 1100 on one uachine for test. Company B Ue feel that there are many advantages to be gained from "Fiber Conditioning", Probably the two most outstanding advantages are; Increased Yam Strength and Dust Reducing* . Our experimenting has been done with the idea that "the fibers should be passed through a mist of liquid to enable them to become completely conditioned. This - has been accomplished with a certain degree of-success in the air apace between one of our Vertical Openers and it's Delivery Screen Section* The difficulty here has been that if the flow of material decreases, then there is too much conditioning agent for the amount of fibers, Ue also have experienced trouble with the apray head dripping and having large drops of the agent present, how ever, we believe that in time both of these difficulties could be corrected. We have experimented with the following Conditioning Agents, attempting to apply Hi by weight to the fibers: Oo -a- (1) - Uool Oil Lubricant /.'E-7H8-R purchased from ISnery Industries, Cincinnati, Ohio. This was used as a 1 to 5 water emulsion solution. However hq were not entirely satisfied with this agent, since it was costly and involved raining i/ith water. (2) - 3? Gulf Fiber Spray Oil purchased from The Gulf Oil Company. This was used full strength directly from the drua. we were very pleased with this agent frau a dust and fiber loss improvement angle, however . there was no improvement in the strength of yarns. Company C About five years ago we experimented with cytron ludox-as a fibre conditioning agent. This was used at a strength of about l*^. Our experiments with the type of silica condition!:;-;; agent were not satisfactory due to clogging of the nozzles caused by the silica hardening each "time the spray was stopped. After several months of attempting to overcome this difficulty we abandoned our fibre conditioning system. In response to the project undertaken by the Air Hygiene Committee, we have investigated materials sold by threo Companies. be first called in Dill Bierlin of the Hew Yorl: C: iicw Jersey Lubricant Co, who advised us that they did not have an asbestos conditioning oil among their _ ` products. However, Ik*. 3ieriine advanced tills information. He advised that some asbestos manufacturers were using a combination of Essotex oil, 25and Gulf 896, 752. This is a high flash, clear solvent. He also advised that seme carpet yam manufacturers and asbestos yarn manufacturers installed the spray equipment at tiie feed boxes or in the blending units r.t the Picker Room. He advised that a Rounrch oil burner spray nozzle is used pre-metered in gallons per hr., rating 5/10 of a gl. per iir. to be sprayed on 1,CC0 lbs. per hr*, of mixing. The price of these oil burners spray nozzles is _.1.15 each and they recommend at least three nozzles per installation. Hie pump used on these installations is a gear type pump manufactured by Drown and Sharp. It is their ivll pimp. Cost is y35.CO, This pump should be equipped with a 12CO rpm quarter horse motor. The cost of this pump is approximately ,15.00. The usual installation is set up using a 3/S" pipe with a by-ppss to take off excess solution. This equipment has been set up in a carpet mill for a total price of v77.CO and could possibly be set up in any nil! for under .100.00, including nozzles, pump, motor and pipe. Sun Oil Company They advised that their ,i:538-Solnus blending oil for asbestos fibre condition ing be used. Some of the members of our Institute are now U3ing thi3 type of oil which is a mineral oil base. Dr. banning. Textile Research Director, Sun Oil Co., advised tliat to his Iwiowlcdge wlierc thi3 installation is being used, it is very successful. He recomaends that about 1/2 of Hi to 12 of this 53S oil be used and particularly if 1/2 of Hi is used, it should have no detrimental effects whatsoever on any product being manufactured in our industry*. 062187 -5- Proctor & Gamble . Ue contacted ihr, H. F. Hebei, field :igr. of the Textile Finishes Sales Dept., 33rd t Arch its., Phila., ?a. hr. Hebei gave the writer a run down on products which they manufactured for tc::tile finishing of yarns; also, yam conditioning emulsions* They are now in the process of experimenting in their lab with sons of our yam with their various emulsions and they may coroa up with a recommenda- t_on within the next few weeks, ` he have recently installed a spray pump equipment using monarch type oil burners spray nozzles. Ue have Installed three of these nozzles in our 2nd feed box and we made a trial run spraying our wirings with this method. However, we only used about 1/2 of 13 of the Sun Oil 530 blending oil. We aro going to make an additional installation at our 2nd blending feed on the conveyer which will give us two sources of supply and will also bring up our spraying frea 1/2 of 13 to 13. This '.ill be deno by placing three additional 3pray nozzles at the blending feeds. w*e will not malce any further teste with this spray equipment until we can have Hr. Milliard, the State Inspector, present when in operation because we wisli to make comparisons of air sajpling while the spray equipment i3 in operation as opposed to when it is shut doun in order that tie may evaluate our dust conditions with or titliout tills spray netliod. I hope that i.r. Milliard will be with us within the next few weeks and at that time these tests can be made* Company D Sun #539 and Gulf #561 is being used. Doth have been found quite suitable in reducing the dust during the various opera'iLons. The amount of oil applied amounts to appro:zimately three-fourth3 to one percent. The oil is applied by means of compressed air-operated spray guns. Colloidal silica has been experimented with and while it has given satisfactory results in regf-rds to reducing dust conditions, it was found to be difficult to handle inasmuch as tlic openings on the spray heads would frequently clog* For this reason the use of silica as a lubricant has been discontinued. Company S METHODS USED 1. Applying oil spray manually with DeVilbis3 gun- to fiber layers only in floor batching* " I '` 2, Applying oil spray with a mechanical traveling spray on the feed apron of the picker* \ ,, 3 . Aftor employing either methods 1 or 2, allowing material to stand 2U hours before carding* 082.1 t\ DO -6- RESUL15 OF IIETKQDS 1 AIID 2. As there wes basically not too much difference in these roeLhods, the results also were not too apparent* The oil used was Sun Oil Asbestos Fiber Conditioning Oil *538. In accordance with the advice of Dr. iianning, of the Sun Oil Company, initial applications were one-half per cent oil, because in his experience, three-fourths to one per cent caused dropping ends and created an excessive fire hazard. While these concentrations caused no difficulties on the nachines, the dust conditions were not noticeably improved. It should be recognised however, that these were visual observations not substantiated by dust-counts, end there fore are subject to question. The concentrations were raised to as high as three per cent before sene improve-- .aent in aist conditions were observed. There high concentrations caused such great difficulty in carding that the process was unfeasible, The material clogged the wires on tho cards and gum:,ted the tape condensers. The finished product at the high concentrations also did not neat purity standards for certain uses. RESULTS OF IIETHCD 3. Because the oil-sprayed material e:diibitecl a tendency to agglomerate and cause uneven distribution on the card cylinders, die material was allowed to stand 2ii hours before carding in the hope that the oil would diffuse evenly throughout. If diffusion did occur, and this is problematic, no improvement was noted in the carding operations. CCUC1C5ICM The questionable advantages did not j'istify continued use of the oil spray methods, and it was dropped after a short period of use. Company F, a) methods used: All of our work has been done by pressure spraying. b) Agents, frcaa standpoint of effectiveness: The only agent that we use that has any effectiveness in dU3t control is spraying oils, and these can only be used where the end product will permit. . c) Agent3, frcaa the standpoint of undesirable-properties: 1. ) Saponifiable oils - not desirable because evaporation rate too low for production purposes. . * 2. ) Propylene Glycol - does not give any improvements over standard operating conditions. ' 3. ) Water Soluble Resins - does not give any improvements over standard operating conditions. 0a2.Ife';,