Document o9k3GLXbRd0QJxzY03DQ4zVoX

k Inter Olfice Personnel end Orpanlullon Staff C. . Allen, M.D., Plant Physician Kentucky Truck Plant 10 November 1983 cc D. E. Dyer A. H. Greer J. G. Henry Subject: Insulation-Fireproofing in Kentucky Truck Plant Fan Room References: 1. Industrial Hygiene Bulletins 4 and 4b 2. OSHA Regulation 29 CFK 1910.1001 3. OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard for Asbestos, 11/4/63 At your request, samples of sprayed-on insulation and fireproofing obtained from walls of a Kentucky Truck Plant administration building fan room were analyzed for asbestos. Five samples obtained by the writer were homogenized and analyzed under direction of the Industrial Hygiene Laboratory. Test results reveal an average of 39$ chrysotile asbestos in the wall treatment. Fiber glass, mineral wool, and slag wool comprised 46$. Mineral granules com prised the balance. The dry material abrades easily and has a very high friability, and can easily generate airborne duet when disturbed. Considerable abraded dust was observed on tbe floor at the wall junctions. Ab you are aware, excessive asbestos dust and fiber inhalation can cause three major diseases. One i6 asbestosis, a non-cancerou6 scarring of the lungs that gradually makes it harder end harder to breathe. There is no cure, and the pneumoconiosis can be life-shortening as well as affecting quality of life. The other two diseases are malignant. One is lung cancer, which generally is fatal. The other is mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the stomach or the lung. Victims rarely live more than a few months after diagnosis. The hazard to health from inhalation of asbestos dust depends on several factors including concentration of respirable fibers in the breathing zone, length of exposure, fiber morphology, and age at first exposure. The carcinogenesis latency period can be from five to 20 or more years. Asbestos handlers who smoke are at a much increased risk. Asbestos is one of the few clearly recognized human carcinogens. It is the con sidered opinion of Industrial Hygiene and the Associate Medical Director of Environmental Affairs, Employee Health Services, F. V. Viola, M.D., that the threshold of asbestos carcinogenesis, if any, is unknown. Accordingly, it cannot be said with any certainty that there is any safe dose of inhaled asbestos fibers. In consideration of this and the fact that large surface areas are covered with dry, highly friable asbestoB-containing material that ia easily abraded and can readily generate invisible and respirable fibers, steps must be taken to prevent release of airborne fibers. RECOMMENDATION Immediately initiate steps to have a reliable asbestos-removal contractor encap sulate, top-coat, or remove all asbestos-treated surfaces. SCF-FORD-3384 PRODUCED BY FORD S00S 0548 C. . Allen, M.D -2- 25 October 1983 INTERIM RECOMMENDATIONS The following eteps are recommended to protect employee health until all asbestos vail treatment is encapsulated or completely removed: 1. Inform all who work in the area of the presence of asbestos in the sprayed* on vail treatment and the possible adverse health effects from inhalation of dust. The concept of the long latency period should be explained, Thie training would perhaps best be oonducted by you or a senior nurse, the Bafety engineer, and the UAV health and Bafety representative. 2. Consideration should be given to restricting aooess to the fan and boiler room and discouraging skilled trades personnel from occupying the area unless they are performing maintenance activities. 3. Discourage dry sweeping of floors, machinery, and equipment surfaces in the fan room. Damp commercial sweeping compound could be helpful in cleaning floors without creating airborne duBt. Damp rags wrung nearly dry can be used to wipe up and remove dust accumulations. Otherwise, an OSHA-approved vacuum sweeper as specified in Industrial Hygiene Bulletin No. b must be used. AsbestoB-oontainIng vaBte must be labeled in accordance with OSHA regulations. b. Post access doors and label asbestoB-treated surfaces in the fan room with the statement: WARNING Walls and ceilings in this area are treated with ASBESTOS. Breathing asbestos dust may be harmful to your health. Avoid disturbing. DO NOT INHALE DOST. Do not remain in area unless your work requires it. Contact safety engineer if material must be removed. 3. The use of portable pedestal fans in the boiler room is not recommended because of the possibility of air-abrading asbestos fibers from the walls. 6. Arrangements will be made by this department to conduct atmospheric monitoring for airborne asbestos fibers in representative Kentucky Truck Plant areas. It is anticipated that concentrations will be very low to non-detectable provided the wall treatment is not disturbed. Nevertheless, monitoring is required to assure that employees are not excessively exposed. OSHA has issued "serious" citations to employers for failure to monitor (29 CFR 1910.100(b)(3)). 8005 0549 Industrial Hygiene Section Employee Health Services PRODUCED BY FORD