Document Zn8XNbKNJzdZKqEVeGarNk6GV

DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A. Ouly 22, 1983 Arnold Seidule Plastics Administration Building 2306 LOUISIANA division P O BOX 150 PLAQUEMJNE. LOUISIANA 70764.0160 $04 369-BOOO cc: W. T. Roberts C. W. Brannan T, Campbell L. L. Devillier J. A. Granier C. E. Halphen C. A. Barrios B. G. Shamburger G. C. Wheeler INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE PROGRAM UPDATE JANUARY 1, 1983 THROUGH JULY 1, 1983 The Industrial Hygiene safety meetings for the Plastics Department have been completed, bringing the I.H. Reporting Index for our department to 100% completion for the year. The meetings were held January through May and covered the I.H. monitoring data for 1982 as well as the control measures and consequences of overexposure for noise, chemicals and dust used in the department. Overall, participation in the meetings was excellent and the many attentive questions and suggestions demonstrated a positive reception towards the program. Unless indicated otherwise, the I.H. data presented in this report was obtained using a 6-8 hour monitoring period. The noise exposure data represents the potential average noise dose of the operators in selected job classifications. Keep in mind that these doses are only potential ones, because of the on-going hearing conservation policies of the Department. Poly A Potential Noise Exposure The largest potential dose was 378% of the OSHA 90 db(A) Allowable Noise Dose and was detected on the compressor O.S. job. Number of Potential Average Exposure Job Samples (% of 90 db A) Extrusion OT Extrusion SOT Compressor SOT Compressor OS Instrument & EDO 3 2 3 3 1 67% 61% 137% 170% 35% 083118 OONF]\OFNTrA( AN OPERATrNG UNIT OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY A. 0. Seidule INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE PROGRAM UPDATE Page 2 POLY B Potential Noise Exposure The largest potential dose was 190% of the OSHA 90 db(A) Allowable Noise Dose and was detected on the extrusion OT job. Number of Potential Average Exposure Oob Samples (% of 90 db A) Extrusion 0T Extrusion OS Train I & II SOT Train III & IV SOT Day Maintenance 2 2 2 2 2 148% 80% 33% 87% 20% Hexane Exposure The highest concentration that was detected in the operator's breathing zone tests was 6.5 ppm for 390 minutes on the Train I & II SOT job. The threshold limit value (TLV) for N-hexane is 50 ppm. Number of Average Oob Samples Exposure Train I & II SOT Train III & IV SOT Purification SOT 3 2 2 3.6 ppm 2 ppm 1 ppm Potential Exposure to Nuisance Dusts The threshold limit value (TLV) for HDPE powder and powder form additives used in the plant is 10 mg/m^ total dust. One test was made on the extrusion area 0T job on a day when powder was being removed from the dump hopper. The potential exposure was 1.5 mg/nP total dust for 390 minutes. A dust mask is required for the dump hopper job to prevent possible overexposure to HDPE powder. POLY C Potential Noise Exposure The largest potential dose was 74% of the OSHA 90 db(A) Allowable "Noise Dose and was detected on the outside lab SOT job. Number of Potential Average Exposure Oob Samples (% of 90 db A) 0T Reaction SOT Outside Lab SOT Day Maintenance 3 3 3 3 19% 29% DO 083119 33% COMP I DP NT T 30% A. 3. Seidule INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE PROGRAM UPDATE Page 3 CPE Potential Noise Exposure The largest potential dose was 6% of the OSHA 90 db(A) Allowable Noise Dose and was detected on the Day Maintenance job. 3ob Day Maintenance Number of Samples 2 Potential Average Exposure (% of 90 db A) 3% Hydrochloric Acid Vapor Exposure The threshold limit value (TLV) for HC1 vapors is 5 ppm. The highest concentration that was detected in the outside SOT breathing zone tests was 1.1 ppm for 404 minutes. Duration of Exposure To Dob Samples HCL 90 Outside SOT Outside SOT Outside SOT Outside SOT 410 minutes 360 minutes 230 minutes 404 minutes .9 ppm < .2 ppm (detection limit) < .3 ppm (detection limit) 1.1 ppm Area Tests for Hydrochloric Acid Vapors Four tests were made in the Train II wash column ditch area. The highest concentration that was detected was .9 ppm for 279 minutes. Duration of Samples Concentration Detected 240 min. 279 min. 175 min. 300 min. < .2 ppm (detection .9 ppm < .4 ppm (detection .7 pm Chlorine Dosimeter Breathing Zone Tests limit) limit) DO 0831 3 cONFTO^T t The OSHA exposure limit for chlorine is 1 ppm (peak exposure). The largest potential peak exposure was 12.50 ppm and was detected on the outside SOT job. During this test, the operator broke into a reactor line using full face mask breathing air. The largest 15 minute dose was .40 ppm and the average dose for 362 minutes was 0.00 ppm. Highest Highest No. of Duration of Peak 15 min. Peaks 3ob Samples Exposure Exposure TWA <.5 ppm Outside SOT Outside SOT Outside SOT Outside 0ST 254 min. 389 min. 423 min. 362 min. 2 ppm .85 ppm 3.45 ppm 12.5 ppm .06 ppm .06 ppm .18 ppm .4 ppm 0.00 ppm 0.00 ppm 0.00 ppm 0.00 ppm 1 1 4 4 o oo 2fl O -t o Om 00 cj H 1> TRAIN I - UPSTAIRS BL BL BL 31 BL 70IB -BL 106 BL106D A. J. Seidule INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE PROGRAM UPDATE Page h PMS - POLY A/B WAREHOUSE Potential Noise Exposure The largest potential dose was 57% of the OSHA 90 db(A) Allowable Noise Dose and was detected on the 0T car loader job. Number of Potential Average Exposure Dob Samples ______ (% of 90 db A) Laborer Car Loader 2 2 31% 56% Potential Exposure to Nuisance Dusts The threshold limit value (TLV) for nuisance dust Is 10 mg/m3 total dust. These tests were conducted on the 0T car loader while cleaning the transfer blower's sock filters. The highest concentration detected was 22.9 mg/m^ total dust for 15 minutes. A dust mask is required for this job to prevent possible overexposure to polyethylene dust. Duration of Potential Job Sample Exposure (Total Dust) 0T Car Loader 0T Car Loader 15 min. 15 min. 8.8 mg/m^ 22.9 mg/m^ Carbon Monoxide Exposure The threshold limit value (TLV) for carbon monoxide is 50 ppm. One test was conducted on the truck loading job. The exposure was 9.3 ppm for 335 minutes. PMS - POLY C WAREHOUSE Potential Exposure to Noise The largest potential dose was 131% of the OSHA 90 db(A) Allowable Noise Dose and was detected on the 0T car loading job. Number of Potential Average Exposure Job Samples ______ (% of 90 db A) Laborer 0T Car Loader 4 2 22% 117% Carbon Monoxide Exposure Two tests were made on the towmotor operator. The results of both tests were less than the 2.6 ppm detection limit for 235 minutes. DO 08 31. ?3 OONFTOFNTTAl A. 0. Seidule INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE PROGRAM UPDATE Page 5 PMS - CPE WAREHOUSE Potential Exposure To Noise One test was made on the laborer working the bagging line. The potential exposure was 62% of the OSHA 90 db(A) Allowable Noise Dose. Non-Asbestos Form Talc Exposure The threshold limit value (TL3V) for non-asbestos form talc is 3 mg/m^ respirable dust and 6 mg/m^ non-resplrable dust. One breathing zone test was made on the laborer working the bagging line. The exposure was .6 mg/m^ respirable dust and .2 mg/m^ non-respirable dust. Area Test For Non-Asbestos Form Talc Two area tests were made to determine if the amounts of non-asbestos form talc being released from the bag compactor were excessive. Both of the tests showed that the concentrations of non-asbestos form talc in the bag compactor area were below the threshold limit value (TLV). A new dumpster for the bag compactor has since been installed to eliminate the dust releases. Duration of Test 425 min. 370 min. Concentration Detected (Resp.) (Non-Resp.) Mark D. Ryland Plastics Department Industrial Hygiene Bldg. 807 /ct