Document aByVZ1dGyB5eXVqLbb7e73409

FILE NAME: Georgia Pacific (GP) DATE: 1975 Aug DOC#: GP084 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Journal Article - Exposure to Asbestos in the Use of Consumer Spackling, Patching, and Taping Compounds ic >r most of ihc elements in the cen- ^ let tc periodic table, such as the transi tion elements. Finally, when the ionic potential is high (> 10) the positive ion ap propriates one or more oxygen ion, freeing r the hycrogen and forming an oxyanion, which is generally soluble; this is charac teristic of the nonmetals in the upper right corner of the periodic table. If life began in the primitive terrestrial oceans, elements whose abundances in the aqueous phase are high should have a high representation in living material. In Fig. 1, the enrichment factor for a number of ele ments--that is, the ratio of the concentra tion of the element in an organism to its concentration in the earth's crust (7)--is plotted against ionic potential. A similar curve is seen for all major groups of orga- nispts, as we proceed up the evolutionary scale from bacteria to fungi to plants to land animals, and for the ocean (Fig. 2). A general pattern Is observed for all living organisms: (i) For elements of low ionic potential values (IP < 3) the log of the enrichment factor (EF) is in the range of -1 to +1 indicating small enrichment or small depletion relative to the crust, (ii) For intermediate IP values (3 < IP < 10) log EF is -3 to -4 indicating large de pletion in living organisms, (iii) For large IP values (IP > 10) log EF increases as the ionic potential increases and varies from -4 to +4. It should be noted that the ele ments mentioned by Crick and Orgel as showing anomalous distribution patterns-- Mo, Ni, and Cr--also follow this general pattern. Specifically, Mo does not show any significant enrichment in living organ isms as compared to the earth's crust. Obviously, taking each element and each group of organisms separately, we may ex pect many exceptions to the rules; still, the general pattern is strikingly similar for all the groups of organisms investigated. According to Oparin (8), some com binations of biochemical reactions are characteristic of all contemporary orga nisms. These are combinations of patterns acquired by the emerging living matter in its very early stages of development, before further specialization and differentiation took place. Thus the basic similarity of the elemental composition pattern of all groups of living organisms (Fig. I) in dicates that the pattern was determined at the initial steps of the development of life. It should be noted that in the range of ionic potentials higher than 10, where the major biochemical elements sulfur, car bon, and nitrogen a r e f o u n d , o r g a n i s m s have a very significant enrichment of 10 to almost 10,000 relative to the ocean. This urvil. HUI LNT I AL 1 3 10 30 voked special chemical conditions as being advantageous to the rapid development of life, is not justified. A mos Banin J erzy N avrot Department o f Soil and Water Sciences, Hebrew University o fJerusalem, Rehovol, Israel 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 LOG IONIC P O T E N T IA L Fig 2. Elemental enrichment factors in seawater, related to the ionic potential of the elements. may be taken as a clue to a more exact lo cation for the origin of life. It can be specu lated that life began at the interface of the primitive atmosphere and the ocean, in the thin microlayers at the surface of the ocean where large enrichments of the atmo spheric constituents (mainly nitrogen and carbon at that stage) may occur. Various other elements may also be concentrated in these microlayers because of the effects of surface-active materials, surface tension, and the transfer processes between the liq uid and the gaseous phase. In any event, it is evident that a chemical environment similar to the earth's ocean is sufficient to explain the elemental abundance relation ships in living materials. A nonterrestrial explanation, especially one that has in References and Notes 1. S. Arrhenius. Worlds in the Making (Harper c Row, New York. 1908). 2. F. H. C. Crick and L. E. Orgel, Icarus 19, 341 0973). 3. W. R. Chappell, R. R. Meglcn, D. D. Runnells, ibid. 21, 513 (1974). 4. T. H. Jukes, ibid., p. 516. 5. L. E. Orgel, ibid., p. 5 !8. 6. K. B. Kruuskopf, Introduction to Geochemistry (McGraw-Hill, New York, J965). 7. Data on concentration ranges and mean values of elemental abundances were compiled from the fol lowing sources'. (Earth's crust) S. R. Taylor, Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 23, 1280 (1964). (Seawa ter) J. P. Riley and G. Skirrow, Eds., Chemical Oceanography (Academic Press. New York, 1965). vol. 1, pp. 164 165. (Bacteria and fungi) J. R. Porter, Bacterial Chemistry and Physiology (Wiley. New York, 1948), p. 365; W. S. Spector, Ed., Handbook o f Biological Data (Saunders, Philadelphia, 1956), pp. 88-89; C. Long, Ed., Bio chemists' Handbook (Spon, London, 1961), pp 1050-1052. (Plants) H. D. Chapman, Ed., Diag nostic Criteria fo r Plants and Soils (Univ. of Cali fornia Press, Berkeley, 1966), p. 793. (Land ani mals) H. J. M. Bowen, Trace Elements in Bio chemistry (Academic Press, London, 1966), pp. 174-210; A. Banin and J. Navrot, Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 3, 177 (1972). Where available, data for a range of concentrations were used to calculate a range of enrichment factors for a group of organisms. When only the mean concentration was available, only one enrichment factor value was given. The ionic potential was calculated using crystal radius values given by L. H. Ahrens [Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 2, 155 (1952)). For ele ments appearing in various oxidation states the most abundant form was chosen. 8. A. i. Oparin, in Exobiology, C. Ponnampcruma, Ed. (North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1972), p. 11. 9. For constructive criticism of this manuscript we extend our thanks to J. Kronfeld and 1. Cohen. 11 March 1975 Exposure to Asbestos in the Use of Consumer Spackling, Patching, and Taping Compounds Abstract. Analysis o f representative samples o f spackling, patching, andjointing com pounds, purchased at retail stores in the New York City area, has shown that some con tain asbestos minerals as well as other biologically active substances. Measurements sug gest that home repair work involving the use o f such materials may result in exposure to dust at concentrations sufficient to produce disease. Spackling and drywall taping com pounds consist of extremely fine-grained while powders or premixed pastes. Plaster of Paris is supposedly the major constitu ent, but other light-colored materials in cluding clays, micas, quartz, talc, and ground limestone, supplement or replace the plaster in many formulations. Chrysotile is added to some products, apparently because these minute fibers act as rein forcing agents. The presence of amphibole asbestos in some products results from its natural occurrence in talc, carbonates, and other rocks used as raw materials (I). Fifteen samples of consumer spackling and patching compounds were purchased at hardware stores in the New York City area, four in 1972 or earlier and the re mainder in January 1974. We analyzed the samples for mineral phases by polarized light microscopy, x-ray powder diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy, with particular attention to quantitative determination of asbestos minerals. The spackling and taping compounds consist mainly of particles smaller than 3 Jim in average diameter or length (Fig. 1). Par ticles of this size are generally too small to 15 AUGUST 1975 551 Tabu: I. Mineral content of consumer spackling and natching compounds anc industrial drywall tapi.ig compounds. Frequency of occurrence of mineral phases Mineral phase In 15 consumer spackling and patching compounds In 10 industrial drywall taping compounds Chrysotile Tremolile Anthophyllite Tale Quartz Feldspar Pyrophyllile Mica Kaolinite Calcite Dolomite Piaster of Paris 3 (5-10%) 1 (4- 6%) 1 (10-12%) 2 9 (5-70%) 1 2 8 5 11 3 7 9(5-12%) 1 (5- 7%) 2 6(10-30%) 9 7 4 4 6 be individually studied by polarized light microscopy, and identification is further confounded because these compounds commonly are mixtures of four or more different materials. The analytical use of the optical microscope with its limited res olution allows large numbers of fibers to go undetected. The asbestos minerals, in particular, are usually too fine-grained to identify. In such circumstances, x-ray pow der diffraction may be used to identify and quantify the individual crystalline phases present in the mixtures. In this investigation the amounts of as bestos present in spackling compounds was determined by comparison with dilution standards (2). Binary systems of chrysotile, tremolite, and anthophyllite asbestos in plaster of Paris (CaS04 were pre pared at varying dilutions on a weight-to- weight basis. Diagnostic reflections for each of the asbestos minerals were select ed. These reflections were step-scanned by x-ray diffraction at increments of 0.02 28, where 8 is the dispersion angle, over a goniometne interval sufficient to define a peak-to-background ratio for the diagnos tic reflections. A digital printout of elapsed time in a fixed-count determination was used to prepare precise positions and pro files of the diagnostic reflections. The area above background, determined with a compensating polar planimeter, was taken to be proportional to the concentration. Details of the method have been presented elsewhere (2). Samples of spackling and taping compounds were prepared, ana lyzed, and measured under the same condi tions as the dilution standards. Com parison of the results of known dilution standards with the samples permitted the amounts of asbestos to be estimated with approximately 20 percent reproducibility. The presence of certain minerals may in terfere with the detection or quantitation of chrysotile in spackling and taping com pounds. For example, chrysotile and kaolinite have similar crystal structures and consequently similar x-ray diffraction patterns (3). However, electron micros copy can be used to corroborate the re sults of x-ray diffraction and to directly estimate the asbestos content of materials, since each mineral type has a characteristic morphology and electron diffraction pat tern. The results of the analyses of 15 con sumer spackling and patching compounds are given in Table 1. Three of the samples were found to contain chrysotile asbestos, and two others contained tremolite and anthophyllite asbestos. Talc was a major con Table 2. Asbestos fiber concentrations during use of taping compounds containing asbestos miner als. Multiplication of the number of fibers per milliliter by I0` gives the number o f fibers per cubic meter of air, an amount which may be inhaled during I hour. An unstudied proportion of these fibers is retained and others are exhaled. Current (interim) regulations of the OSHA prohibit concentra tions of 5 fibers per milliliter or more, longer than 5 ^m, as a time-weighted average for workers. Concentrations above 2 fibers per milliliter will be illegal after 1976. Current regulations set a ceil ing concentration of 10 fibers, longer than 5 per milliliter of air. Operations Number of samples Peak fiber concentration (fibers per milliliter) Mean Range Pole-sanding (1 to 1.5 m) Background (2.5 m), same room Backgiound (7.5 m), adjacent room Hand-sanding (1 to 1.5 m) Background (2.5 m), same room Background (4.5 m), adjacent room Dry mixing(l to 1.5 m) Background (3 to 6 m), same room Background (5 to 10 m), adjacent room Sweeping floor (3 to 15 m) 15 Minutes after sweeping 35 Minutes after sweeping 10 10.0 3 8.6 2 4.8 II 5.3 2 2.3 2 4.3 2 47.2 3 5.8 2 2.6 1 41.4 1 26.4 1.2 to 19.3 3.5 to 19.8 0.7 to 8.8 1.3 to 16.9 2.1 to 2.5 1.5 to 7.1 35.4 to 59.0 0.5 to 13.1 2.1 to 3.1 552 Fig. 1 Electron photomicrograph of a cons. ; spackling product. Large numbers of chrysol fibers and fiber bundles are present. Granul particulates are clay, mica, and carbonate m: erals. stituent in two samples and pyrophyllite two. The crystal structure and physicproperties of pryrophyllite are almc identical to those of talc; pyrophyllite m; be considered the aluminum analog of tal Its biological activity is presently u known. Quartz was a major constituent seven of the samples, and it was present two others in lesser concentrations. On tl basis of the x-ray intensities of several m jor quartz reflections, including those 4.26, 3.34, and 1.817 A, the amount quartz present is estimated to be great than 10 percent in the seven samples. Opt cal and transmission electron microscoj have shown essentially all the quartz to 1 of respirable size (< 5 pm). Both quar and talc can produce pulmonary fibros (silicosis, talcosis) (4). One sample coi sisted largely of quartz with lesser amoun of feldspar and anthophyllite. This may ii dicate that the source material for th product was an anthophyllite schist. Tl combination of talc with some tremoli and quartz in another sample represents common mineral association typical t commercial talc ore bodies. Both optical and electron microscop analyses showed that the asbestos ftbe: present in the samples ranged in lengt from 0.25 to 8.0 pm. Most were shorn than 5 pm in length, which is respirab size, yet they were not generally detecte by optical microscopy. The possibility of asbestos exposure du ing home construction and repair is ii dicated by the fact that drywall construi tion workers are exposed to significar concentrations of asbestos air cor tamination. Mineralogical analyses of te industrial drywall taping compounds sho that nine contain chrysotile, in concentr; lions ranging from 5 to 12 percent (b weight) (Table 1). SCIENCE. VOL. IS We made measurements of peak as bestos air concentrations in the breathing zone of drywall construction workers, uti lizing the standard technique of the Na tional Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSK) for asbestos sam pling and analysis (phase-contrast optical microscopy at x 430) (5). These air sam ples were also analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Air samples were taken at various building jobs and job sites and included such operations as handsanding, pole-sanding, mixing of dry spackle with water, and sweeping after completion of such operations. Personal air samples were also taken in adjacent areas; such air samples, taken in the breathing zones of the operators, consti tute measurements of their exposure to dust. Table 2 shows that airborne concentra tions of 5 fibers per milliliter of air or more, longer than 5 um, are common dur ing the use of drywall taping compounds containing asbestos. This exceeds the inter im legal standard excursion set by the Oc cupational Safety and Health Administra tion (OSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor. The OSHA standard calls for an 8hour time-weighted average. The discon tinuous nature of these operations suggests that the 8-hour sampling is inappropriate in that peak exposures in the present in stance, under a range of application and cleanup operations, greatly exceed the maximum allowable excursions of 10 fi bers per milliliter for a 15-minute interval. These concentrations, determined by the NIOSH method, are only suggestive of the total asbestos exposure. Comparison of optical microscopic and electron micro scopic analyses of asbestos fiber counts of identical samples showed that, for every fi ber visible by light microscopy ( x400 mag nification), there were from 200 to almost 1000 that could be seen only at electron microscopic magnifications of x25,000. The background measurements in Table 2 suggest that in home repair work in volving sanding of spackling compounds, members of the entire household or other occupants of a building may inhale as bestos fibers. This could occur during mix ing, sanding, or cleaning up of debris. Dur ing mixing of drywall taping compounds, spackle is gradually poured from a bag into a bucket of water and the mixture is stirred until the desired consistency is at tained. Fiber counts measured during mix ing were found to be from 7 to 12 times greater than the current occupational standard. Detectable fiber concentrations were found in adjacent rooms during mixing, and fibers were still suspended in the room air at least 15 minutes after mix ing had ceased. Personal air samples were taken after sanding was completed. The floors of the rooms and halls were swept with a hand broom, which raised a cloud of dust. Fiber counts could not be made on floor sweeping samples because the filters were too heavily laden to count. Samples were taken after 15 minutes had elapsed, and, in one case, 15 m away in another room. Measurements showed that signifi cant concentrations of asbestos remained suspended and could pervade living quar ters for a considerable duration of lime af ter sweeping had ceased. In summary, our analysis of 15 repre sentative samples of consumer spackling, patching, and taping compounds has shown that five contained appreciable amounts of chrysolile or other asbestos minerals. Many contained substantial amounts of quartz, talc, and other miner als with disease potential. Optical micro scopic analysis of personal air samples ob tained during the use of asbestos-contain ing compounds showed concentrations frequently in excess of the current oc cupational standard of 5 fibers per mil liliter, longer than 5 /m. Use of these ma terials in home repair work (for example, mixing, sanding, and cleanup) may expose the user (and other members of the house hold) to significant concentrations of as bestos. Even more important, none of the 25 in dustrial and consumer spackling and tap ing compounds examined had warning la bels or indication that they might contain toxic or hazardous materials. It is, there- fore, recommended that potentially toxic or hazardous materials be eliminated from consumer spackling, taping, and wall patching compounds as soon as feasible. As an interim measure, labels should be re quired on such products stating their con tent and providing instructions for the use of appropriate respirator protection and for safe cleanup procedures, including the disposal of waste materials. A. N. R o h l A. M. L a n g e r I. J. SLLIKOFF W. J. N ic h o l s o n Environmental Sciences Laboratory, M ount Sinai School o f Medicine, City University o f New York, New York 10029 References and Notes 1. M. Ross, W. L. Smith, W. Ashton. A m . Mineral. 53, 751 (1968); W. A. Deer, R. A. Howie, J. Zussman, Rock Forming Minerals (Wiley, New York, 1962), vol. 2, pp. 223-262; H. S. Yoder. Am . J. S c i Bowen volume (1952), p. 569. 2. A. N. Rohl-and A. M. Langer, Environ. Health Perspecl. 9,95 (Dec. 1974). 3. G. W. Brindley, in X-ray Identification and Crystal Structures o f Clay Minerals, G. W. Brindley, Ed. (Mincralogical Society, London, 1951), pp. 32-75. 4. For example, see: M. Kieinfeid, J. Messite, A. M. Langer, Environ. Res. 6, 132(1973); M. Kieinfeid, J. Messite, O. Kooyman, M. Zaki, Arch. Environ. Health 14, 663 (1967); W. G. B. Graham and E. A. Gaensler, Med. Thorac. 22, 590(1965). 5. S. G. Bayer, T. A. Brown, R. D. Zumwalde (Docu ment TR-84, U.S. Department of Health, Educa tion. and Welfare, Public Health Service, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cin cinnati, Ohio, 1975). 6. Supported by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (N1EHS) Center grant ES 00928 and by New York City Health Research Council grant U-2331. One of us (A.M.L.) wishes to ac knowledge support under a Career Scientist Award from the NIEHS (grant ES 44812). We thank K. Martin. R. Klimentidis, and P. Formby for technical assistance. 7 March 1975 Water Wells as Possible Indicators of Tectonic Strain Abstract. Coseismic water level changes associated with the Izu-Hanto-oki earthquake o f 9 M ay 1974 were recorded in 59 among 95 observation wells located in the districts o f Tokai and Kunlo, Japan. The spatial distribution o f wells in which the groundwater level rose or fell is rather systematic. The areas in which these wells are located closely coin cide with the areas o f contraction and dilatation expected by the faulting. This strongly suggests a possible correlation between the observed changes in groundwater level and the tectonic strain. The results may indicate that the water level o f wells is able to monitor at least acute coseismic strain changes. A destructive earthquake occurred on the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, Ja pan, at 08:33 hours on 9 May 1974. The seismological data (/) are: epicenter, 34 34'N, I3848'E; depth of focus, 10 km; and magnitude, 6.9. The focal mechanism of the earthquake was a quadrant type with the maximum pressure axis in a near ly north-south and horizontal direction. Distinct earthquake faults appeared along the preexisting, dextral strike-slip faults trending in a northwest-southeast direction ( 2). Coseismic changes in groundwater level caused by the earthquake were examined in 95 observation wells (J), located 50 to 210 km from the epicenter. These wells were drilled originally for the protection of groundwater resources and measurement of land subsidence. Most of the wells range in depth from 100 to 300 m, the shallowest and the deepest being 35 and 2150 m deep, respectively. Groundwater level changes were continuously monitored, in most cases, with recorders manufactured by the Nakaasa Sokki Co. The practical sensitiv- 15 AUGUST 1975 553