Document baZ2RJgvymGXNVw5xpXqoRQ9g

J-- DEPOSmON EXHIBIT Question? Doe Inertaeii have permanent effects on the human body? If so, what type of permanent damage w*a hew long a period of .time dos it take for this to develop? If not, explain why, if possible. ' The polychlorinated biphenyls in Xnerteen can have permanent effects on the hams bod?. The length of tiae or period of exposure necessary to develop symptoms depends on the degree ox Mount of exposure, la general, a single exposure for a few minutes to atmospheric eoac@atraties that cause Irritation to the eyes and/or respiratory tract would not be expected to cause either the skin eruptions or demonstrable liver injury. The problem arises from repeated and prolonged exposure to atmospheric concentrations in excess of the accepted Threshold Malt Levels or repeats and prolonged skin contact. The polychlorinated biphenyls have not been recognised as skin irritants" in the same sense that caustic materials or many organic chemicals are irritants. Because of their "solvent* action in removing the natural fats and oils from the skin leading to drying and chapping, repeated and prolonged skin contact should be avoided. When the polychlorinated biphenyls are mixed with other ehleri- nated hydrocarbons the mixture my be classified as a skin irritant. The potential toxic effects in humans from excessive exposure . to polychlorinated biphe^ls include injury to the liver and chloraene. Xn animals# the liver effect is demonstrated by Increased liver weights and injury to cellular tissue. Although chloraene is difficult ts evaluate in animals# in humans# this takes the foot of smtdows (large blackheads %rith typical, acne pustules) and my be an external syaptom of ever exposure pra- ceding serious liver injury. * Animal data and human esqperienee indicate that the toxic effects are similar whether exposure results from ingestion# inhalation of vapors# or absorption of the liquid material through the un broken skin. ' (See AXA Hygienic Guide Series - "CMorodiphesyls attached.) Question i Several hourly qployees have mentioned recently that many chemicals wmh mm Xnerteea cause sterilisation ' after prolonged use. Is this true? - There is no evidence that polychlorinated biphenyls cause "sterilization" in haas pg,, 9 A 0009427 1 ] | , i j i ' WATER PCB-SD0000030204 3. Questions line Zaertees Affects birds and other ' if there is no real effect to human beings, how do you explain it to e^loyees in such a way that they win understand why it can kill a bird and not a hssaa? . There is a potential real affect to bimans - inclodinf death '' as discussed in the aaswtt to Question 1 ' . Due to differences in metabolism of food (and feed cental- n'tmtM.) in birds and htwmsa <&ad particularly the difference ' in the rsprodnetion process in birds and aasuls -- including humans)# birds are particalarly sensitive to many chlorinated hydrocarbons including polychlorinated biphenyls . 4. Questions Zf an employee spills Zaertees on his clothing . and later takas -th dothing boat to fee washed with other ' clothes e will this bmm any affect on him or his family and.should he carry Mm clothes hast to bo washed? ' ' Thar should not bm any act on an aployee or his family from home laundering of work clothing If washed with other clothing, there may ba residual odor of th chlorinated hydrocarbons in th clothing . 5. Questions Bspleyees carry Inerteaa hem on feh solas of their shoes and complain quite a bit about the sffact Znartaan has on wearing out of their shoes. Is this a serious problem? Will Xaarteea in the solas and leather of shoes, over a long period of time, have an effect on the feet and skin since the shoe is the. only protective equipment we' wear on* our feet and the Znexteen penetrates through the ' leather. .. There should not be plyeklornatd biphenyl on th* floor for workmen to esmtsaiaata tteJx shoes to cany hoi*. The pirnsti- cizer or solvent action will destroy or shorten the life of .the shoes.' More inporfcagfciy# the wearing of contaminated shoes could lead to absolution of the liquid through the soles of the feet as through other unbroken skin surface. ' 6. Questions There is one iply# in our plant who had no pro blem whatsoever with Xnarteen years ago After six years o using# now when he wotks in Znerteea (which is a part ' of his job) h devel^M a swelliBf am the inner bicep of'his left an# only in cm location ttaM this be from Znerteen os not? Zt goes away as (eon as he gets out th# -Znerteen. . It is similar to the swelling after taking an injection. Pf. 10 A 0009428 i I 7 i ( I l I WATER_PCB-SD0000030205 V do not believe thmrm on be any association between a swelling on the inner bicep" of the arm and ea^oaurc to polychlorinated biphenyls. Question: Are there hand cleaning solvent materials that we should fee using when working la Insrtaca to coat our skin before woittng In It and to Mash It off . after wa finish wotMng In it? Please give yoor ' recommendation. Our employees working la Inerteea * ' are not able to use gloves sine* It is an assembly *' area. Sven If they eooMg the Inerteen would destroy th protective glom. . ` . V assume the question refers to the use of "Barrier Creams" rather than a "hand cleaning solvent". . There'are a nrafeer of barrier creams available to protect workers against water insoluble selwati. Probably the east effective include tilcon*..provide an Impenetrable shield". A problem with such creams Is that they my offer a false sense of security. ' ; . Proper use includes a discipline which requires liberal appli cation at the beginning of a work shift and after each washing of the hands during the work day. Pf. ll i A 0009429 hk WATER PCB-SD0000030206