Document dORepV4RvmQLQ085bZOk8j3e

CHEMICALS INDUSTRIES c INTEROFFICE / LAKE CHARLES TO FROM H. J. Hoen RR-. pP.- Lync SUBJECT March 23, 1976 I visited the Pantasote plant at Passaic, New Jersey to look at their VC analyzer. They have done an excellent job in developing a VC detection system so sophisticated that they have received permission from OSHA to stop monitor ing people. They predict TWA's, future locations of VC vapors, sound alarms, ' etc. Pantasote is an interesting antithesis to the cancer theory. Their plant is in the middle of the city. It has residences on three sides (across the street) and a school on the remaining side. There is no separation other than a fence and a street as the plant fully occupies the one block. They have been in business (FVC) since 1958. They have always had large amounts of VCM loose at all times and were quite doubtful that they would be able to lower exposure to the federal level. They readily admit to normal exposures in the thousands. They know the ambient level was 40 ppm after many steps were taken to clean up. They have numerous employees who have been with them since 1958 and various (lawyers?) have combed their past and present employees, residents, and former residents looking for carcinomas. None have been found. Pantasote feels they have an excellent relationship with United Rubber Workers. The VC detection system is an excellent one and has the faith of the operators as well as the regulatory agencies. Briefly, it consists of analyses of three points at a time, analyzing the results to see if individual points need check ing, analyzing the results to predict the next point of exposure, and analyzing of this (or these) point(s). This grid is then (continuously) superimposed on grid of operator duties and from this, TWA's calculated. The time involved to completely monitor the plant is 11 seconds. The system is very sophisticated and they are interested in licensing it. It could be used but I do not feel we need this elaborate of a system. We could develop a similar system for Lake Charles if we desire. I do feel the analyzer and the sampling system can and should be used in Lake Charles. They have shown how a good purge and sampling system can be set up to give very good readings across the total plant at a rate and frequency such that spills, leaks, etc., are picked up as they occur. This creates operator response immediately, points out errors, and prevents unknown or surprise exposures. I recommend that we investigate the E0C0M Fourier Transform Multiplex Interferometer as a potential analyzer for PPG and see if we would have any problems in its use. We should also check the potential use in ^i-hor- SL 026946