Document oDv9a8LdpDy52B15ZjxYyrVjR

Report to: Thompson, Hine and Flory PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT FK-154 ASBESTOS SAMPLING AT FLINTKOTE NEW ORLEANS Date: 9 April 1979 MA Number: 7510 Copy of waiter c. me crone associates, inc. 2820 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60616 Baron & Budd Butler Count\ Ausust I. |W ASBESTOS SAMPLING AT FLINTKOTE NEW ORLEANS Ve have completed our examination of filters from personal samplers used by workmen disassembling insulated outdoor storage tanks at the Fllntkote location In New Orleans LA, and found no evidence of asbestos that was derived from Thermalkote. INTRODUCTION At the request of Thompson, Hine and Flory, McCrone Associates was asked to conduct test6 to determine the exposure to asbestos of workers as they removed asbestos bearing insulation from outdoor storage tanks. On 1 March 1979, Howard J. Bumeckl of McCrone Associates visited the Fllntkote plant located at 4500 North Galvez Street, New Orleans, LA, for the purpose of obtaining samples. These samples were returned to McCrone Associates laboratories where they were analyzed for asbestos by recommended methods. SITE DESCRIPTION The plant 16 located in a highly industrialized area of New Orleans, the closest operation being a paper shredding plant approx imately 50 yards from the storage tank. It did not rain on the day of the test nor for two days previous to the test. The temperature was in the mid 60's and the wind calm to light and variable. Figure 1 shows the sampling locations. waiter c. me crone associates, inc. Baron &. Budd Butler Coum> August I. iw" TEST PROCEDURE at ^. Insulation is applied to the tank in three layers. The inner most consisting of blocks 1-1/2 inch in thickness is composed largely of amosite and crocldollte with pumice, diatoms, clay mad miscella neous substances in low concentrations. The blocks are coated vlth a substance referred to as "mud" which contains chrysotlle in a binder. The aud is coated with Thermalkote to a thickness of 1/8 to 1/4 inch. ThermalkoteC consists of chrysotlle in a tarry matrix. In order to remove the insulation from the tank, workers must cut through the Thermalkote and mud with a hatchet tmtil they can grasp a large section and pull it down (see photographs at end of report). The Thermalkote contains the tougher matrix end pulls most of the mud along with it. This exposes the blocks which are held in place vlth steel bands. Vhen these bands are cut, the blocks fall in large numbers since there is nothing more to hold them to the tank. A worker was equipped with a Mine Safety Appliance, personal sampler fitted with a 0.45 membrane filter in a plastic cartridge. A preliminary sample was obtained at a flow rate of 1.2 liters per minute (1pm) for a period of 10 minutes. The filter was examined microscopically on-site in order to estimate particle loading. The purpose of preparing this sample was to aid in selecting sampling conditions that would yield filters vlth sufficient numbers of par ticles to be meaningful, and yet not so overladen that individual Baron & Budd Butler Count> August 1. IW waller c. mccrone associates, inc TEST PROCEDURE fibers could not be Identified. As a result of this examination, a flow rate of 1.4 lpm for a period of 20 alnutes was considered ideal. Three samples were obtained under these conditions. ANALYSES Samples of Thermalkote, mud and insulating block removed during sampling were examined microscopically in order to determine if the minerals from the three layers of insulation could be distinguished from one another. The Therma-lkoteC consists of chrysotlle asbestos in a tarry matrix. Chrysotlle consists of bundles of mineral fibers that cleave longitudinally. In the case of Thermalkote, the bundles have spaces extending along the fibers which are filled with tar. Even when the bundles are broken, the tar coated fibers are easily identifiable (Figure -2). Chrysotlle is also present in the mud, but since no tar is present, it can be differentiated from that found in the Thermalkote (Figure 3). The block insulation consists of amoslte, crocidolite, pumice, diatoms and aome clay. It does not contain any chrysotlle (Figure 4). waiter c. me crone associates, inc. Baron &. Buckl Butler Count', August I. 199" ANALYSES The differences among the three materials makes the Identifica tion of asbestos derived from the Thermalkote a simple matter: only chrysotlle fibers bearing evidence of tar need be considered. Actual determinations were made on three sample filters in accordance with procedures set down In U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare publication titled Criteria for a Recommended Standard...Occupational Exposure to Asbestos. A total of 100 fields of view were examined on each filter with the following results. Figure 5 Is a typical field of view observed. Sample Number Fibers per filter Fibers per i 1 53,166 2 47,905 3 64,796 1.91 1.70 2.30 Total 165,867 1.97 Although 300 fields of view were examined, and approximately, 3,000 fibers were observed, none of these fibers were chrysotlle. No tar coated particles of any kind were observed. . waiter c. mccrone associates, inc. Baron &. Budd Butler Count'. August 1. |W CONCLUSIONS Tests were conducted at the Fllntkote plant In New Orleans LA, to determine if workers disassembling an Insulated storage tank risked exposure to asbestos derived from Thernalkote*. Although asbestos was found on filters attached to sampling apparatus the workers were wearing, it was firmly established that none of the asbestos was derived from the Thermalkote. Respectively submitted. \ ,&**+**C Howard J. Humeckl waiter c. me crone associates, inc. Baron & Budd Butler Count) August 1. \wr Baron & BuJJ Bullsr Comm Aueusl 1. 1W7 Figure 1 Fllntkote New Orleans Site Showing sampling points Wind Direction Variable r ! waiter c. m^crone associates, inc. Baron & BuJJ I Buller Coups'- Augu>! I I'/11' waiter c. m=crone associates, inc. Baron & Budd Butler Counts Aususl 1. I'W" \ waiter c. mccrone associates, inc. Baron & Budd Butler Count\ Aueust I. 1997 waiter c. mccrone associates, inc. Baron & Budd Butler Count> August 1. 1997 waiter c. mccrone associates, inc. Baron & BudJ Butler C ount> August 1. \K^r