Document jNgk96xNXGx803LjdRzd0e1o2

Industrial Chemicals Marketing, DAB-2 Mr. A. J. LIchota VCM - PLANT HYGIENE NON-CONDENSABLES Industrial Chemicals Manufacturing, DAB-G February 13, 197** On February 8, 197*1, I attended a meeting of the Vinyl Chloride Safety Association in Cleveland. This meeting was called to discuss the B. F. Goodrich report that four employee deaths at their Louisville, Kentucky PVC plant might be re lated to vinyl chloride exposure. A portion of the meeting was devoted to a review of points of possible exposure to vinyl chloride as a result of operating practices, and it was generally agreed that the tank car loading area probably represents the location having the greatest possibility of repeated personnel ex posure, particularly where the venting of non-condensables prom "empty" tank cars is required. It was indicated that all VCM producers looked unfavorably at the customer^practice of padding cars with nitrogen for unloading purposes. Some companies said they did not permit this practice at all and were surprised that anyone would per mit customers to use this method for unloading. It was the consensus of VCM manufacturers that a concerted effort must be made by the industry to discourage the further use of nitrogen padding. As you are aware, Robintech has made a practice of using nitrogen padding and I would request that they again be approached on the subject of discontinuing the practice. In view of the Goodrich report, the problem i3 much more serious than just the yield loss Involved. The venting of cars may be creating ser-ioias health hazards for our employees which we cannot permit to continue. In fact. It is more probable that the Federal standard for VCM levels In plant atmospheres will be reduced drastically in the near future, a move which will dictate the discontinuance of tank car venting to the atmosphere. ASl 00023 422 Mr. A. J. LIchota -2- February 13, 197*1 X appreciate your assistance and suggest the discussions with Robintech take place in the very near future, the results of which negotiations I await with great interest. WCK/dl cc: J. M. Quinn W. C, Koch Quality Assurance Manager ASI 0002342