Document noNMYdRx2NQKG8b9V4gnXjjw

t.\ E T A L S DIV4SION To (Name) Division Location Hr, J. L, Myers UCC - Metals Niagara Falls, NY Copy to Messrs. T. W. Carmody W. B. DeAtley K. S. Lane P. W. McDaniel 0. J. Malacarne R. W. Rebholz J. J. Sibley/R. F. X. Fusaro P. 0. BOX 579 - 4G25 ROYAL AVE., NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YOHK 14F February 19, 1980 "Calidria" Asbestos Answering letter date Subject Review of King City Plant Monitoring and Medical Records This letter summarizes the status of the above-noted project following meetings at King City and with Dr. Lane and Mr. McDaniel in New York City. The monitoring data files at King City have been assembled in one place. We have exposure information going back to 1963. The early data are by midget impinger and are sporadic in today's terms, but at least a modest number of facts seem to be available. Personal sampling started in 1970 and sampling detail, frequency and scope has increased substantially since that time. Examples of this type of data available at various points in time are attached for reference. It also appears that Dick Marsden has good chronological records of changes that have been made in the plant equipment. These include changes affecting the levels of asbestos dust-so we should be able to relate the changes to the observed levels of airborne asbestos dust. The information available to relate workers to job locations is very extensive. Weekly time cards which show the hours spent in each plant department appear to be available for everyone who has ever worked in the plant. Examples of these cards are attached for reference. Medical records are also available for all past and present employees. Based on this information two projects can be defined: 1. Summarize the exposure data and relate it to the corresponding changes made in plant equipment to reduce dust levels. 2. Put the exposure and work location information in a form where exposure histories and cumulative exposure can be obtained readily for each individual employee. This is obviously a computer program and storage task. records would also be coded for prompt recall. Medical &0699C UCC 020735 Mr. J. L. Myers -2- February 19, 1980 Regarding the first of these tasks,.there are about 16 plant locations that are now monitored with some regularity. A substantial proportion of these have been tested to some extent back to 1963. Since monitoring seldom occurred more than once a month and often only once or twice a year, it is a substantial but still manageable task to prepare a graphical summary by month of all of the daily TWA data. Bill DeAtley is now preparing such a summary. The mechanical changes relating to dust levels from Dick Marsden will also b^shown. When completed, we will have a good historical picture of our efforts to control exposure and the results achieved. It will also show clearly:the amount and kind of exposure data available. The second task relating to individual exposure and medical histories is much more substantial. For epidemiology it would be most desirable to relate the time spent by each employee in each location to the corresponding exposure records to give a cumulative exposure. It appears that our ability to relate time-in-location far exceeds our ability to estimate exposure. Nevertheless, it appears that the total amount of information available substantially exceeds that used in most asbestos epidemiological studies published in the past. . It is well recognized that asbestos related diseases generally take a minimum of twenty years to develop and the latency period can be much longer than this for low exposures. Also, out of approximately 200 past and present employees at King City, only five have as much as 16 years exposure. The medical records show no evidence of asbestos related disease. It can be concluded that the cohort here is too small and the exposure period has been too brief to make an epidemiological study worthwhile at this time. On the other hand, however, there are several good reasons to put the data in "epidemiology" form now and store future data in the same form. These include: 1. In order to protect our employees it is very desirable to know their exposure history and cumulative exposure. Recent literature is providing estimates of risk based on cumulative exposure. We need to be sure that our employees are not being exposed to excessive risk. 2. The total records involved include only about 200 employees for a maximum time of employment of only about 16 years. It appears to be a reasonable sized effort to code this quantity of information now. Entry of future data annually would be quite simple. 3. We are faced with demands from EPA and other regulatory agencies for increasingly detailed exposure information. There is little doubt that such information will be required in the future. We are in the best position to interpret our data accurately. The alternative is likely to be the supplying of the "raw" data to NIOSH or EPA for their analysis. A06991 UCC 020736 Mr. J. L. Myers -3- February 19, 1980 The obvious question is how much time and effort would be required to write the programs and code the available information into the computer. I am pursuing this matter actively and hope to have definite information in the next several weeks. /rmm Attachments Harrison B. Rhodes UCC 020737 A06992 u'c 140-Z internal correspondence UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION To (Nam*) Company Locotion Kenneth Lentz union Carbide Corporation nuclear Division p. 0- Box 613 King City, California 0a'* September 27, 1963 Originating Dpf. Aruw^rrng Imflar <faJ IL W- Copy fo c. e. Brown ; Subjtd Mr- L. B. Emlet Lf.W 6. C. Brie* D. S. Kn'en* foruntn I am attaching two copies of Mr. McDaniel's report on the mine and plant operation during his visit September 10 through September 13. I think the report is self-explanatory, . and we would concur with Mr. McDaniel's recommendations. I hope it will be possible to obtain equipment for the plant site for dust counts, etc., since it is very difficult to transport equip ment every time a visit is made. Mr. McDaniel reports that he did meet with the medical group in King City and was able to present to them some picture of what we are trying to do in industrial hygiene. I believe this was of educational value to the group. Thank you very much for the courtesies shown Mr. McDaniel on his visit. Very truly yours. Thomas W. Nale, M.D. vm enclosures Medical Director v UCC 020738 Report of Investigation Nuclear Division Union Carbide Corp. - King City, California Sept. 10-13, 1963 This was the first formal evaluation of the working environment for conditions that might be hazardous to health at the new plant and mine. It was concerned .primarily with airborne dust. Air samples were collected at both the mine and mill by a technique In which the dust was retained by impingement In liquid. Particle concentration was then determined by count using light-field microscopy and a magnification of 100 diameters. This is In accord with the standard procedures of the U. S. Public Health Service. Results are given in the accompanying table. For safety, all particles were considered to be fibrous. While it is recognized that other materials may be present, studies of airborne material at Sterling Forrest by electron microscopy have shown that the fiber-bearing particles do not always have the familiar fiber shape, and positive distinction is possible only through elaborate and expensive techniques that are impractical for a dust control program. Further, in view of the very limited information available on the toxicity of short fiber asbestos, a conservative approach is Indicated. ^6994 UCC 020739 Nuclear Division Union Carbide Corp. King City, California Sept. 10-13* 1963 Recommendationa Mine: 1. Require that caterpillar operators engaged in cleaning and scraping mine site wear respirators approved by the U. S. Bureau of Mines for toxic dusts. A relatively inexpensive respirator that resembles the non-approved mask now available, but which has been found adequate, is American - Optical Co., Sure-Guard, No. R9100T. 2. The recommended maximum allowable, dust concentration for long-term exposure at the mine is 5 million particles per cubic foot of air. Evaluate environ ment periodically to determine if exposures are controlled. Mill: 1. The recommended maximum allowable dust concentration for mill work areas is 5 million particles (total) per cubic foot of air. Plan dust control to meet that limit. 2. Initiate a program for routine evaluation of dust concentrations at various operations at the mill site. The actual number of samples that must be collected for reliable evaluation and other details UCC 020740 A0699b Nuclear Division Union Carbide Corp. King City, California Sept. 10-13, 1963 * of the program will be defined as experience Is gained In developing mill operations. For the early stages of operation, sampling should be conducted at monthly Intervals until a good 'v background of information Is obtained and until experience shows that a longer interval Is justified. 3. Obtain laboratory equipment necessary for routine dust evaluation. A list of equipment is shown below. a.) Microscope. Bausch and Lomb model FBR-3(No. 31200423) with mechanical stage and Abbe condenser (N.A. 1.25) This is a monocular microscope that can be readily converted to a binocular type and is supplied with 10X, 43X, and 97X achromatic objectives, and 5X and 10X Huygenian eyepieces. Cost--approximately $430. Source--laboratory supply house or directly from Bausch and Lomb. A similar microscope of Japanese make that has been found acceptable at Grand Junction is obtainable from Unitron Instrument Co., 66 Needham Street, Newton Highlands 6l, Massachusetts, The model number is MLU. It is equipped with essentially the same accessories as the B&L model (including UCC 020741 isii Nuclear Division Union Carbide Corp. King City, California Sept. 10-13, 1963 10X, 40X, and 100X objectives, and 5X, 10X and 15X eyepieces). In addition. It has a built-in light. Cost--approximately $270. I have asked that a catalog be sent to King City. V. b.) Microscope Light {if B&L microscope is purchased). B&L Optilume for monocular microscopes. Price-- approximately$8.50. Source--laboratory supply house. c.) Whipple Micrometer Disc. For use in microscope eyepiece. Price--approximately $7*50* Source-- laboratory supply houses. d.) 6 Sedgwick-Rafter (A.P.H.A.) Counting Cells. Price--$9.00 each. Source--Laboratory supply houses. e.) Isopropyl alchol as discussed during the visit. 4. Obtain air sampling equipment. Literature on available equipment will be forwarded as soon as received. Probable cost--$250. Detailed Findings Mine No mining was being performed during this visit but operations Involved with the transportation of ore to the mill 1 and general cleaning of the mine site were in progress. UCC 020742 A06997 Nuclear Division Union Carbide Corp. King City, California _ Sept. 10-13, 1963 Dust counts were not found to be excessive except on the caterpillars dressing the mine site. Concentrations alongside the operators were about twice the recommended maximum of 5 million particles per cubic foot of air and indicated a need for improved protection of personnel. It was recommended that these people be supplied with respirators approved by the U. S. Bureau of Mines. The amount of dust found in the open cab of a pick-up truck during travel from the mine site to the public road was higher than at some points at the mine but not to a significant degree. With further improvement to the road, concentrations in moving trucks should drop. Mill Only the front end of the process (ore treatment up to filtration) was operated during this visit. The remainder of the process will be Investigated later In the year when the Installation is completed. Dust concentrations at various points of operation are shown In the table. None exceeded 5 million particles per cubic foot of air, but it was apparent that very careful control of the dry material was necessary to prevent a significant increase in airborne particles. Thus as production UCC 020743 A 06998 Nuclear Division Union Carbide Corp. King City, California - Sept. 10-13, 1963 rises to mill capacity additional control measures may be Indicated. In view of the toxicity of asbestos and the low permiss- ' able air concentration. It was recommended that a program for routine periodic appraisal of the work environment be established, and that necessary equipment be obtained. While much of the program (sampling location, number of samples, and the number of Investigations required per unit of time) cannot be defined until the mill Is In normal operation, it was felt that initially plans should be made for monthly investigations. Information on sampling equipment needed for the program will be forwarded as soon as descriptive literature Is received from the supplier. The basic laboratory equipment for dust appraisal and its approximate cost is listed in the recommendations. The microscope selected need not be one of the makes listed but should have the same features and a complete line of available accessories. The question of Imported or American-made is a matter for local decision which should consider In addition to cost the availability of parts and service. The other recommended laboratory supplies are more or less standard items In American dust control practice. ^ PWM/en Paul W. McDaniel Industrial Hygiene Engineer k069" UCC 020744 Dust Concentrations Nuclear Division Union Carbide Corp. King City, California Sept. 10-13, 1963 Sampling Location and Operation Date (1) MPPCP Remarks Mine Site Alongside wobbler during loading trucks. 9/10/63 Riding caterpillars cleaning mine site. Walking across ore pile Riding pick-up with windows open on road from mine. 9/10/63 9/10/63 9/10/63 4.2 3.8 ` - 3.3 3.9 Variable wind direction and speed so that sampling location is upwind of dust part of time. 9-6 10.9 11.3 11.8 Much large, nonrespirable material noted. 3.2 Light breeze (5 MPH) 3.4 , from west and south. 4.7 Deep dust on portions 6.0 of road. Mill Site Deck around Corn-Bin feeder and screen 204 Same Location 9/11/63 9/11/63 Walkways from screen 204 to shaking tables 'Deck around screen 204 and Com-Bln feeder . Same Location 9/11/63 9/12/63 9/12/63 2.3 2.7- 3.1 3.7 1.7 1.9 2.6 2.5 3.8 3.6 Wind from south (10 15 MPH). No ore moved from stockpile. Wind from north (10 15 MPH) and ore loaded on conveyor belt feedir Com-Bin feeder. No ore moved from Stockpile. Very littl< wind. Ore loaded on conveyor belt feeding Com-Bin feeder. &07000 UCC 020745 Dust Concentrations Nuclear Division Union Carbide Corp. King City, California Sept. 10-13, 1963 Mill Site (cont'd) Walking over ore pile as pile was dressed by front loader In front loader cab while dressing ore pile. 9/12/63 9/12/63 1 1.7 Not visibly dusty. . V. 2.5 Not visibly dusty. (l) MPPCF--Millions of particles per cubic foot of air. UCC 020746 A07001