Document oDMrR57b16Y0onzjq3RDwkqBX

on Johnsen Johnen Johnsen Subject Industrial Hygiene Survey -- Talc Ms. C. I. Nofziger New Brunswick N February 7 1977 SHOWER A survey in the primary departments , powder line and powder employee exposure lew va es ls cotomplteatlceddiunstDecember to determine Conclusions 1. Exposures in the SHOWER and powder filling line areas are within acceptable standards 2. Etixmpeossureexsceeidn the powder primary basement area can at time is acceptable standards However exposure day usually short generally less than 1 hour per Recommendations 1. Exposures to talc may be held to good housekeeping practices and a minimum by following by correcting the cause of any leakage as soon as possible 2. When it is necessary to go into an area approved respirators shoeuxlcdesbseivw eloyrndusty 3. The existing periodic medical powder primary employees shouldmonbeitmoraiinngtapirnoegdram for Discussion ere Sion - The present occupational set by OSHA at 20 exposure million standard for talc is air The American particles per cubic Conference of Governmental foot of Indus- trial Hygienists is equivalent to ACGIH has calculated 3 milligrams per cubic that this value of respirable size particles and meter m of particles 6 mfor all sizes inhaled and Respirable sizes are those which may be retained within the lungs The ACGIH dard was used in this study to determine stan- with acceptable standards compliance Talc has historically been associated with pulmonary disorders A various great deal of still exists on this subject controversy A review logical and animal of epidemio- fibrous study data reveals that various minerals which exist as contaminants of industrial grade tales are most some causative agents of likely to be the pneumonconiosis and other pulmonary Continued 0071784 JNJ 000288179 -2- February 7 1977 SUBJECT Industrial Industrial Hygiene Survey -- Talc Ms. C. I. Nofziger Discussion Discussion Continued diseases The fibrous minerals suspected include fibrous talc tremolite chrysotile crocidolite and amosite Our cosmetic grade talc has been analyzed many times and found to be free of all fibrous minerals and it should therefore not be considered as a likely cause of pulmonary disease Studies are still continuing on this subject including an epidemiological study at our Windsor mines and I will keep you informed of any new developments To date there is no evidence of abnor- malities due to exposure to pure talc when the exposure level is at or below the current OSHA standard The results of this hygiene study are summarized in Tables I II and III The respirable concentration levels are more hygienically significant since they represent that portion of the dust which can be retained in the lungs As can be readily seen in the tables most areas fall well within the standard for respirable dust There are times when the primary basement area may exceed standards but the time of exposure there is usually short and respiratory protection has been mandatory for several years The use of respirators in this area should continue to be enforced While we do not expect any respiratory illnesses to result from exposure to talc we should nevertheless consider it a good practice to continue our periodic medical monitoring program for the employees who work in the primary areas Please call if you should have any further questions * A Johnson & Johnson Trademark DMW vad cc Mr. D. H. Cassidy Mr. J. E. Dorsey Mr. J. L. Furey Mr. H. G. Hurff Dr. J. E. McWhorter . Gr Gr Gr Gr Gr Gr Gr i ' David ; d i i a u ae M. Woody - d Mr. C. M. Newman Mr. O. M. Springall Mr. D. W. Suter Mr. J. T. Wakeling 0071785 JNJ 000288180