Document e5kvkRRX3QxvoMnqvQK55OnN4

Re'oort on THS CONCENTRATION OS i.HTHYL ALCOHOL A IIP TSL AIR ABOUT THE "VITOL" CANNING OPERATION AT THS PURS OIL COMPANY*S BULK PLANT IN CINCINNATI Introduction Air samples were taken on several occasions at the breath ing level of the workmen engaged in filling quart cans with "Vitol" antiknock and power fluid at the Cincinnati bulk plant of the Pure Oil Company. Observations and Remarks September 1914-8 The first inspection of the operation was made b y Dr. Karl V. Kitzmiller and Mr. J. Oholak on this elate, while experimental filling was being carried out. The machine had been set up in the open on a loading platform between two doors of a warehouse. A tar paulin had been hung along the open side (or outside) of the plat form, to provide protoction against rain and also with the idea that any breeze would be channeled along the'platform and thus would aid in the removal of vapors. Some difficulty was experienced in the operation of the filling equipment, because of pressure which was built up in the filling line. As a result there was considerable spraying and spilling of the fluid whenever, the valves were opened for filling cans. Further spillage occurred as the cans moved along the conveyor to the capping end of the machine, and fluid was continually dripping to the floor both at the filling and at the capping ends of the machine. The plant management was there fore advised to provide rubber gloves, aprons, and boots for the filler as well as for the worker who loaded the cartons with the 0020748 cans as the;/ came from the capping end of the machine. It was suggested that containers be set at the points of greatest drippage in order to keep as much of the fluid as possible off the floor. September 8 , 19i-iB Actual canning was started September 8. The recommended safety measures involving the use of rubber gloves, aprons, and boots were being observed quite faithfully by the filler, but the loader at times removed his gloves and wore no apron or boots. The machine was moi3t with fluid. Two cans were set in position to catch the major portion of the dr Ip page from the machine, but some fluid reached the floor. The day was warm and clear with very little breeze, and, as a result no movement of air was noted on the platform Air samples were taken at the filling and capping ends of the machine Simultaneous samples were collected for lead and methyl alcohol determinations. The results are recorded in the accompanying table. September 10, 19li8 The high values obtained for the air samples of September 8 suggested the need for further checking of the atmosphere. Accord ingly, it was planned to take additional samples for the determina tion of TEL. On arriving at the plant, however, it was found that due to a faulty motor, the canning operation could not be resumed until Monday morning, September Ip. Nevertheless, since there appeared to be appreciable odor about the machine a general air sample was taken on the platform. The resultj recorded In the table while below a promptly dangerous level was appreciably higher than that found for a control sample taken at the Kettering Laboratory. Because of the high results of September 8 and the relatively high KZ 0020749