Document ZnKy4DmL7w3zYN56wkM9XvvgL

UC 14~ UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION TofNam.; c.pany location Copy to Mr. J. A. Riddle Nuclear Division King City, California oi Of;fl;no Answering Ufltr dof Mr. K. W, Lentz Mr, C, E,. Brovin Dr, C. U, Dernehl Dr, K. S. Lane Dear Mr. Riddle: sobjt The following is the report of the findings of rny visit to King City, October 8-9, 1*964. J. A. Riijrffe " Sttea Foreman RKDSk. m Q gj q Mine . The mine was visited and proposed pattern of operations discussed with Mr. Cohan. Air samples were not collected because the only work in progress at the time was maintenance at the grizzly. The rather heavy layer of fine loose material in the stockpile area 'was noted and it was felt that this was a potential source of air-borne dust that should not be over looked. Mr. Cohan felt that the loose material could be removed and that the travel area for loaders could be wet down often enough to keep the dust concentrations low. It was agreed that these procedures should be considered as standard for work at the site. 1 i" i Mill --i-- The procedures for dust evaluation were reviewed with Mr. Kamens, and particular attention was given to problems of microscopic examination of the very small dust particles involved. It was noted that the microscope eyepiece did not allow for proper seating of the eyepiece micrometer, and it was shown that with an adequate eyepiece dust counting would be much easier and much more reliable. It was recommended that another eyepiece be procured. Information on eyepieces will be forwarded later. Dust samples were collected in the mill at pellet bagging and other parts of the cycle that were in operation, findings are given below. Air-borne Dust Location ' Million of Particles/cubic foot Alongside operator at bagger. (Bagging pellets),Area being vacuum cleaned at the same time. . 3.6 5-4 UCC 004969 Mr. J. A. Riddle -2- October 21, 1964 Location (cont'd) Air-borne Dust Millions of Particles/cubic foot Bagging area in general during operation of micropulveriser, bagging, and vacuum cleaning. 17.3 At bag conveyor discharge during bagging. 2.3 2.4 Walkways*around Simplicity vibrating screen and bin discharge. 2.3 2.2 Platform above mix tanks As you will note, duct concentrations were generally within the 5 million particles per cubic foot limit except during operation of the micropulverizer in the bagging area. During this period all personnel in the area wore respirators. The need for continuing this practice is evident. In view of our experience to date in mill operation, I recommend that the practice of wearing respirators in the presence of even small amounts of visible dust be continued. This is necessary because of the very low concentrations allowed for a safe work environment and because we are dealing with a material in which many of the particles are exceptionally small. Recently, (October 19-21), I attended a conference on asbestos sponsored by the New York Academy of Sciences. Among those present were representatives of industry from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, South Africa and other countries in which asbestos is produced. Also present were a number of representatives of the U. S. Public Health Service and state health departments. . The conference covered much of the experience obtained to date in handling asbestos. I was impressed by the growing concern for hazards of handling this material, but even more so by the increasing consideration given to the role of very small particles {less than 1 micron in length and diameter). In view of-the tone of the discussions, I believe the care that we are exercising in our operations is definitely justified. Yours very truly. PYJM/en Paul W. McDaniel Industrial Hygiene Engineer UCC 004970