Document ev5xDp4XQnErLkg33E21rEyzy

June 20. 197H 13LOOD LEVELS OF RFIF IN S]ZLECTED EMPLOYEES: Beginning in 1976 we began to sample selected 3M employees to determine the amount of organic fluorine (R-F')and inorganic fluoride (F) in their blood. Our subjects had varying degrees of exposure and/or contact with fluorochemicals. Because of the technical difficultiesand the length of time needed to perform the testsv we were limited in the number of subjects tested. Each subject was interviewed in an attempt to determine what possible contact witkkfluorine ornuoritdheey may have had in addition to their work exposure. Items such as household products, water supply, dentifrices. drugs. etc., were considered. Subjects included (1)long and short time nucrochemical production and supervisory workers, (2)laboratory workers, includingthose with exposures over 20 years ago. (3)technical service employees who worked with fluorochemical products, f4) users of flucrochemical containing skin lotions,(5)officeworkers in close proximity to fluorochemical production facilitieasnd (6)controls. With only two exceptions, inorganic fluoride levels were found to be within the "normal literature levels". One of the exceptions had had a recent HF burn. In general, we found elevated R-F levels proportional to the length of time that had been spent by the employee in the production areas. We also found that laboratory workers, with former exposure, but none for 15-20 years, had elevations of RF (above literature Inorrnals')but of low magnitude. Several employees had multiple samples tested over a 1 112-2 year period. and in general the values stayed in the same range. There was one exception. That person had a significantrise which we feltcould be explained by a combination of increased production levels and failure to wear prescribed personal protective devices. This person had the highest detectable level of RF (71 ppm), and it was confirmed by repeat testing. He has been removed from allflucrochernical contact and weekly determizlations of blood R-Ir levels and 24-hour urine excretion of R-F will be done. It should be noted that one series of tests has determined that R-F is present in the urine. Attempts have been made to identifythe chemicals that make up the organic fluorine content. This subject will be covered by others at 3m who are involved it%the analytical procedures. The attached charts give the ranges of RF/F values that we found in our employee a. 11-7 FM7,Tl 17 iff Iltl-lf@ If,([, I I fill $I It, tp -4+H-H-1 gil E@E :jr 1 -4-1 fI .77 7 :1 f.- :44 L i- I T-F -T- 17 I- iT i oil I'T