Document dpVk3YB45rmrvNxy378QDzve

I RICHARD A. MILITO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH LABORATORY ALCOA TECHNICAL CENTER - C MEMORANDUM PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT 1987-02-02 RE: ANALYSIS OF ASBESTOS AIR CONCENTRATION SAMPLES (FIBERS/CC) BY ALCOA PLANT LABORATORIES - QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS The purpose of this memorandum is to alert Alcoa industrial hygiene contacts and Alcoa plant laboratories to requirements for analysis of samples for fiber concentrations on an individual laboratory basis. Those requirements, as mandated by 29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1926 "Occupational Exposure to Asbestos, Tremolite, Anthophyllite and Actinolite", effective July 21, 1986 are as follows: 1. Interlaboratory program. "Each laboratory........................ shall implement an interlaboratory quality assurance program that as a minimum includes participation of at least two other independent laboratories. Each laboratory shall participate in round robin testing at least once every 6 months with......................all the other laboratories in its interlaboratory quality assurance group. Each laboratory shall submit slides typical of its own work load for use in this program." 2. Intralaboratory program. "Each laboratory having more than one microscopist counting fibers shall establish a statistically designed quality assurance program involving blind recounts and comparisons between microscopists to monitor the variability of counting by each microscopist and between each microscopist. In a company with more than one laboratory, the program shall include all laboratories and shall also evaluate the laboratory to laboratory variability." 3. Training. "All individuals performing asbestos...................analysis must have taken the NIOSH course for sampling and evaluating airborne asbestos............................. or an equivalent course." 4. Posting. Results of these quality assurance programs shall be posted in each laboratory. In addition to the above requirements for quality assurance also mandated is the use of specific equipment for sampling and analysis. This equipment includes: 1. Walton-Beckett graticule calibrated for each phase contrast microscope 2. HSE test slide to determine proper resolution 3. 25-mm filter cassettes equipped with a 50-mm conductive cowl 4. Mounting media consisting of acetone vapor followed by treatment with triacetin. ARD 043628 Memorandum 1987-02-02 Page Two Failure to comply with these regulations could result in a citation. Alcoa's Environmental Health Laboratory is certified by the AXHA and has implemented all of the above requirements for asbestos analysis to ensure compliance with the Asbestos Federal Standard. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments. RICHARD A. MILITO Distribution attached ARD 043629 Distribution: C. F. Dimascio, Pittsburgh-6 J. Damiano, Pittsburgh-6 R. M. Janes, Pittsburgh-6 D. E. Huddleston, Pittsburgh-6 L. L. Rippey, Pittsburgh-6 S. M. Anderson/B. G. Kunkle, Massena P. Argentieri, ADS D. J. Bailey/D. D. Korzon, Lebanon J. A. Blessinger, Vancouver A. G. Clayton/E. B. Parker, Rockdale J. L. Eicher, Richmond T. Engelgau, Northwest Alloys T. Hartwell/E. Ellis, Badin H. F. Hillegass/J. Thompson, Wenatchee D. P. Hooghkirk/A. B. Piecka, Vernon J. S. Karas, ATC-D K. P. Karsten/F. Weaver, Warrick S. A. Kraft, Lafayette J. R. Progar, Cleveland H. G. Sakoian, Alcoa J. A. Shockey, Pt. Comfort S. C. Smith/K. Williams, Davenport 0. E. Wilkinson/C. T. Nienaber, ACW