Document omGQ4JY9zpBbzNx648nyOeoQX

- /A/> /,, ^n-**~*Cc^T'ONAL SAFETY & HEALTH RCPOnTK practice controls might result in a loss of coke production, thus increasing IIht ratio of energy used tv coke produced. There also would be a resultant loss of fuels produced as by-products in (he coking process. Tiie statement cited figures from UcthJchein Steel Corporation estimating losses of coke oven gas, coal tar, and light oil. However, offsetting energy savings could be achieved as well under the proposed standard, OSHA said. These savings would come in Uic form of (t) coal saved in producing less coke, (2) the production of higher quality coke, which would be more efficient in stecimaking, and (3) retention of more of the by-products in the coke ovens, which otherwise would be lost as emissions. Use of new land would not be necessitated by the proposed standard, the statement said. Even if expansion is under taken to offset possible loss in coal production, this probably would not involve land development. The impact statement is available for inspection and copy ing al the Technical Data Center, U S- Department of labor, Hoorn N-3620, Third Street and Constitution Avc. NW, Washington. D.C. 20210, phone (202) 523-0076. Ten copies of the statement will be forwarded to the Council on En vironmental Quality. Hoolth Hazard* WARNING ON POSSIBLE EXPLOSIVE HAZARD OF SODIUM AZIDE DISSEMINATED BY NIOSH Tlw hospital amt clinical laboratory use of sodium aside may pose a serious explosive hazard, according lo an in telligence bulletin issued by the National Institute for Oc cupational Safety and Health. Violent sodium azide-related explosions associated with automatic blood cell counters have occurred recently at a number of hospitals in Uic United Stales and Canada, NIOSH Mid (Current Report. June 10, p. 42). Another reported explosion took place while a constant temperature water baUi in which sodium azide had been used as a preser vative was being repaired. A common preservative in many diagnostic products, sodium azide is found in concentrations up to 0.1 percent in diluents used with automatic blood cell counters. After a blood count is completed, the waste (containing azide) com monly is discharged into a drain used solely for this purpose. A hazard arises when, over a period of time, the azide reacts with copper, lead, brass, or solder In the plumbing to form an accumulation of lend and/or copper azide. NIOSH Mid. Lead azide is a more sensitive primary explosive than nitroglycerine and a more effective detonating agent than mercury fulminate. Copper azide is even more explosive and "too sensitive to be used commercially." Explosions triggered by these substances "have the propensity to propel metallic fragments over a wide area and the potential for causing serious injury to exposed workers and otIters in the vicinity." NIOSH said. To retard future urcuinulnlions of lend and copjKT azides, any drain known to receive azides sltnuld be flushed llmmoghly with ''copious amounts of water'' several limes a day, l''ulure arcuimilalions also may be prevented by using uzulc-li'i`0 reagents, or copper nod lead-free linos between (he point of azide discharge and (he m-urest pi|K? in which Utcre is a good stream of wuler. Drain Docootnmlnallon Plumbing systems already containing lead and/or copper azide should be decontaminated as follows. Syphon all liquid from the trap and drain using soft rubber or plastic hose, Pillowing proper pr<rrauiioiu> n/'oitml any hazardous chenucalH which may be present. Slowly pour a solution of one lo two liters of |(| pen-on! sodium hydroxide into (Im- trap. Tape lo the sink a sign rending "|Jo Not Use Sink . . , Contains Caustic Material." Allow Uic solution to remain In (lie Imp fur ul least Hi hours, tiicn flush (he drain with water lor a mimimmi of !f> minutes. If Uic drain will not flow, the solution should be removed by syphoning and diluted with water. When it is not possible for a drum line to In- filled with sodium hydroxide solution for at least 16 hours, live gallons of the solution should be poured into the piping rapidly enough to simulate the flushing action of a water closet. The pipe should remain undisturbed for at least 16 hours, then should be flushed with copious amounts of water. The procedure should be repealed- two more times st intervals of a week or so. Other procedures for decontamination arc listed in Uic January 1975 issue of Journal of Chemical Education, NIOSH said. The agency cautioned that gloves and face shields should be used when breaking the drain line or trap for maintenance, because of the possibility of residual sodium hydroxide. "Extreme caution'' should be observed when plugging a drain line potentially conlatmnaU-d with heavy metal azides. NIOSH noted that laboratory maintenance workers, par ticularly plumbers, should be alerted to Uic azide hazard so Uiat proper precautions can be taken. Explosions have resulted from plumbers attempting lo penetrate blocked azide-contaminated drainage systems with a flexible metal probe, or lo cut or saw azidc-contaminatcd drain lines. Health Hazards NIOSH REPORTS ON POSSIBLE LINK OP CANCER. POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS Results of a study on occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCDs) at a Mobil Oil Corporation plant in Pauisboro, N.J., show "significantly more skin cancer (melanoma) and pancreatic cancer than would be ex pected In a population of this si/e," according lo the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSH issued the information in a report dated August 20. The data were derived from a study by Anita K. Hahn. University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, in which medical records for 92 workers at the Pauisboro plant were investigated. According to the report, eight rancors (In seven workers i were observed between 1957 and 1975. Of these, three were malignant skin cancers and two were cancers of the pan creas. The remaining cancers were found in two employees at three other sites: sarcoma of the right thigh nod muHipIc myeloma in one employee, and recto-sigmoid cancer in the other. NIOSH said it was unaware of any other published human or animal data suggesting a com-tation belwi-m -x|hinuh- to I'CHs ami skin or pniurrealic cancer. However, hepatoma*: and hepnto cellular corritiitmn.s have been n-jmilrd hi JVM feeding studies of labor,-iloiy animal-.. The agem-y noted that it had issued mi in(rlligi-n<- lailh lai on PC'lis in November 1975 (Current Keport, November (i. p 79111. Since then, "a number of large firms hove introduced products (eg., butylaled monuchlorodiphcnyl oxide nod dimethyl siloxane polymer) claimed to be (ire resistant dielectrics which can serve as alternatives to f'C.'Hs. In adch- Occupational Scfety & Health Reporter MON3 074517 CURRENT REPORT 383 lion, one of the large domestic transformer manufacturers concentrated In the food chain, and some fisheries in the announced that it will cease using PCBs as fire resistant Great lakes and the Hudson River have been closed as ( transformer fluids at (he end of tliis year," result. \ Alternatives to PCBs should be studied thoroughly to The House adopted by vote of 2(0-157 an amendment by assess live consequences they may pose to human health, Congressman W. Henson Moore which would give MOSH said. The agency also requested reports to studies on Congress specific veto power over Kl'A regulations "the possible association between exposure to PCBs and promulgated under the legislation, Kckliardl's legislative human cancer." ChovYiicaia TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL BILL IS PASSED BY HOUSE BY 319-45 VOTE A toxic substances control bill (MB 14032) was passed by (he Mouse on August 23. Despite opposition from the Office o( Management and Budget (Current Report, August 19, p. 3!><M, the working coalition Uiat produced the bill held together, and (he measure passed by the wide margin of SUM Congressman John M. Murphy (I)-NY), chairman of the Mouse Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection mid Finance and floor manager of tho bill, called the measure the most important piece of health and en vironmental legislation to be considered in this session ol aide said the provision is likely to foster lazy administration and regulation because blame can always be shifted buck to Congress Furthermore, the provision was criticized because Congress already has general authority over regulations; and the provision is seen a$ useless, except as a possible pretext for a Presidential veto. An amendment by Murphy increasing authorizations (rum JIJ million to $16 million was approved. Because no ap propriations can be included at this date, the bill would not lake effect before October 1977 in any case. Currently Congress is scheduled to adjourn October 2. which leaves liUlc time for a conference. Committee staffs already have met to prepare the groundwork, and con ference meetings are not expected to be protracted once they get underway. Health Hazards Congress. A Scrmic tlousc conference committee meeting on the bill is scheduled (or September 9. DOW DISCLOSES STUDY RESULTS ON EFFECTS OF HEXACHLOROBUTADIENE The bill provides that (tie FnvIronmeuUI Protection Agency may by rule require testing (including bioassay tor emcinogem'sis) of any chemical substance that inay pose h substantial hazard to health or the environment and that a manufacturer of a new chemical substance must notify F.l'A tleast (todays before the start of manufacture. For substances found to be hazardous. EPA would have regulatory authority ranging from labeling requirements to a complete ban. H It 14(i:<2 resulted as a compromise between Congressmen Bob Kckharrit (D-Tcx) and James T. Broyhill (R-NC). Congressman John Y. McCollislcr (R-Ncbl warned offerors of amendments that the bill Ivnd been carefully arrived at and represented "a delicate balance." The bill represents a somewhat loss stringent regulatory authority than its predecessor. lilt 1031ft. which was adopted by the Senate as S .1 [ 4b. An Important difference is that the Senate bill would allow KJ'A to block production of a chemical pending testing by an immediately effective rulemaking procedure, while the House bill would require SPA to obtain an injunction (rom a U S. District Court. Congressman Neal Smith (D-lowa) argued that the bill was pro-monopolistic, since large chemical manufacturers would not bo burdened unduly by the expense of testing, whereas smalt companies would be driven out of business. KrkhanK replied that the bill did not automatically require testing. and that testing requirement* would have to he set by rule by MPA. Me also noted that even a small ctvemieal company h*iul<J not have licenses to distribute a hazardously toxic material. An amendment offered by Congressman John l), Dingoll tDMidi) ami approved would ban Hie manufacture of pntyvUUwlM.ded IxpUvnyh iivtbo, except for I'hiM'il system M'.es, wdluu two .vi .mm of passage Kckliardl said Dial KPA already was iiiovuic, apainsl I'I IIn under tin? Federal Water I'i'lhiliiiri Control Act amt (but he did not favor moving againxl a specific substance, but Dinged argued Ihc need for impwinit a schedule on KPA By voluntary agreement of in dustry. I't.'Bs currently arc limited to closed-system uses In electrical equipment. PCBs hove tecn shown to cause skin lestmis and reproductive failures. They accumulate and arc Results of toxicological studies on hexnchlorubutsulicne (UCBD) at Dow Chemical U S A. showed a high dosage caused multipie toxic effects, including kidney cancer in lest rats, while lower doses did not. Details of another study announced at Ihc same lime revealed that the same high dose of HCUD had no effect on rat reproduction, Dow said. 'Che chemical is a major component of the lairy wastes from manufacture of trichloroethylene, perrbloroeihvlenr, and carbon tetrachloride. These studies were transmitted to appropriate federal agencies. Dow said A Dow representative said the studies underline the recognized need to minimize human exposure to Ilf |it> ami the release of it in the environment. Dow also supports the theory of a threshold level, below which exposures in chemicals do no harm. The data show the highest dosage, which was 2 mg kg day. caused .substantia) injury to tire kidneys of rats used in the studies as well as cancer in some kidneys of rats used m the studies. An intermediate dosage of 2 mg/kg/day caused only injury considered to be reversible. A still lower dosage of (1.2 mg/kg/day caused no observed adverse cffecls. accor ding to Dow. A review of health data on Dow employers working m areas where HCBD has been found revealed no ahum malities or deaths which could ho attributed to the chemical Dow dues not market HCBD: wastes eonluinmi: III HI) oic being recycled or incinerated in specialty designed I.h iIiIi.-; Concentrations of HCBD in Dow s commercial products arc well below I pari per million, so low as to preclude the possibility of harm to humans from exposure in HCBD. ac cording to Dow JICBI) is not produced in end m*:*-*; involving the products under bne\rr.dijc npcr.dmp ciunlilmo-. .SotiM'i|iM>nt Dow environmental research '.uyj'.e'ds lied because of its relatively short lilctimc in the environment, accumulation of the compound and widespread environmen tal contamination by HCBD is not likely. The two new Dow studies further define cIRets .n Hfiu>. and ttiey arc being submitted for publication. Due study deals willi rat reproduction, health, and growth. The research data show that there was no effect by the chemical Copyt'yM ft 1976 by Tho lluxiav of Notional Adair*, Irtc, SONS 07^518