Document pBLN5wO4BwqQ82O10By5BMYwk

CELANESE CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC. TECHNICAL CENTER Corpus Christi, Texas To: From: R. M. Guedin K. C. Ehrhardt KCE-99-83 P. A. Drake PAD-142-83 November 18, 1983 Analysis of Bay City Plant Ceiling Material A sample of ceiling material from the Bay City plant (BCP) administration building was suspected of containing asbestos. The sample was sent by Paul Lieck (BCP) for an asbestos determination. . Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) analyses were used for these determinations. The test results were conclusive that the ceiling material does not contain asbestos. Mr. Lieck was notified by phone of these results when they were obtained. Keywords Bay City Plant Asbestos SEM EDX CCCTC R. J. H. Voorhoeve Analytical R. M. Guedin P. A. Drake K. C. Ehrhardt C. J. Mazac L. O. Wheeler Central Files S-492 BAY CITY J. N. Gann P. Lieck PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT -CEL-137 006029 CELANESE CHEMICAL COMPANY BAY CITY PLANT TO: MR. R. C. REITZ FROM: C. J. DUEY I--' CJCH27-72 DECEMBER 7, 1972 SUBJECT: SUMMARY OF OSHA ACTIVITIES ON AIR CONTAMINANTS AND VENTILATION The air around the Instrument Shop fluorescent light tube grinder greatly exceeded OSHA regulations for mercury vapor. Disposal of old tubes by burial was recommended to eliminate the problem (CJD-124-72). Nylon Salt-Adipic Acid - H. P. Heathman OSHA regulations allow an eight-hour daily average of 200 ppm methanol. Pre liminary measurements showed 800 ppm methanol around the nylon salt centri fuges, 100 ppm near the dryer feeders, and <100 ppm In the bagging area and bottom floor. These measurements were taken with a 15 mph north wind. These measurements will be repeated with a different wind direction. Also, the exact source of the leaks will be pinpointed so that work orders can be issued to correct the problem. OSHA regulations allow an eight-hour daily average of 5 ppm nitrogen dioxide. One ppm was found on the floor around the table filter and 50 ppm was found In the fumes coming out of a table filter, it Is planned to .complete analyses for methanol and nitrogen dioxide by 1-1-73. Hydrogenoiysis-Ammonolysis - T. V. Hogan A calibration orifice Is on order for the high volume air sampler. As soon as this Is received, sampling will start for copper chromite and filter aid dust. Ammonia detection tubes are still back ordered. Purchasing is trying to expedite delivery. Sampling will start as soon as the tubes are received. Maj ntenance - D. R. Lehman Work priorities have delayed obtaining an estimate.for a dust collection system for Maintenance shop grinders. The estimate should be completed this month. Mr. Kolodner has said that It will not be necessary to provide dust collection systems for grinders which are seldom usod. This would exempt Laboratory and ' I 006055 CJ 0127-72 2- December 7, 1972 Corrosion grinders and many of the Maintenance grinders. Apparently, we can satisfy the intent of the law by providing dust collection systems for a few grinders. These should be used anytime a man must spend a large part of his day working with a grinder. cc: Messrs. J. A. Bousquet, Jr. K. A. Dunn D. W. Eccles ;& 8. A. Meiaas T. F. White F. T. Talbert W. H. Meyer D. R. Lehman H. P. Heathman T. V. Hogan File: 71 006056 t) v TO: MR. R. C. REITZ FROM: H. P. HEATHMAN CELANESE CHEMICAL COMPANY BAY CITY PLANT PLAINTIFFS EXHIBIT CEL-139 HPH-50-73 JANUARY 26, 1973 SUBJECT: SURVEY OF AIR CONTAMINANTS IN SELECTED AREAS OF ADIPIC ACID AND NYLON SALT UNITS A survey of areas of possible non-compliance with OSHA regulations on air contaminants was made in the Adipic Acid (ADA) and Nylon Salt (NS) Units1. The sampling was done in a manner to measure maximum concentrations of contaminants that might be experienced. Methanol The methanol content of the air was measured around the feed to the NS dryers, the NS centrifuges, and the NS bagging area. Sampling was done on November 13, 1972, with a north wind of approximately 15 mph and on January 15, 1973, with a south wind of approximately 8 mph. The areas around the NS dryers and bagging area were In compliance on both occasions for a man to work for eight hours In the area. The OSHA regula tion for methanol is 0.02 percent (200 ppm) for an eight-hour average exposure. The area around the NS centrifuges was found to contain 800 ppm methanol on November 13, 1972. On January 15, 1973, the same area was found to contain 3,000 ppm methanol. During this survey on January 15th, two Arthur Brothers employees were found emptying nylon salt from bags Into a centrifuge discharge chute. The methanol content of the atmosphere where these men were working was measured to be 30,000 ppm. This operation was stopped when brought to the attention of unit supervision. - The amount of methanol In the atmosphere around the NS.centrlfuges will have to be reduced. This can be done by giving close attention to the seals on the equipment and by covering and sealing the exposed equipment when a centrifuge chute Is removed for cleaning. Nylon salt that Is to be rerun should never be fed into an open centrifuge discharge chute. Ammonium Metavanadate Dust On January 19, 1973, a dust sample was taken during the addition of ammonium metavanadate (AMV) to the ADA Unit catalyst mix tank. The sampler was posi tioned at approximately 5.5 feet above the floor and 2 feet from the catalyst addition point to simulate where a man would stand. The sampler was run for seven (7) minutes while four hundred (400) pounds of AMV was added. The AMV (calculated as V2O5) measured was 1.2 mg/m3. The OSHA regulations specify that the celling limit (concentration never to be exceeded) Is 0.5 mg/m3. 006057 HPH-50-73 January 26, 1973 The celling limit is exceeded whenever AMV is added to the catalyst mix tank. However, it only takes 8-10 minutes to add the AMV and this is done at most once a day. I believe that the best solution to this problem is to require the operator to wear a dust mask for the 8-10 minutes required for this task. Nitrogen Dioxide The nitrogen dioxide content of the area around the two table filters was measured on November 13, 1972, and January 15, 1973. The nitrogen dioxide content of the air downwind of the filters and on the floor was measured to be 1 ppm on November !3th and < l. ppm on January 15th. The fumes coming out of the covers on the table filters was measured at 50 ppm on November 13th and 5 ppm on January 15th. The OSHA regulations on nitrogen dioxide specify a limit of 5 ppm for an eight-hour average exposure. The above data indicates we are In compliance with OSHA regulations but at times we have localized high concentrations. The ADA Unit was surveyed by two OSHA inspectors on January 23, 1973, and their survey found we were in compliance (< 2 ppm on each sample). Although we are In compliance on nitrogen dioxide, this is an area where careful watch should be kept for sources. These sources could be given The attention needed to eliminate them. H. P. Heathman cc: Messrs. J. A. Bousquet, Jr. B. A. Melaas K. A. Dunn B. H. Shield E. E. Abels L. E. Hackfeld VI. H. Meyer C. J. Duey F. T. Talbert Central Files (2) - CCCTC File: 71 References 1Duey, C. J., Meyer, W. H., Lehman, D. R.; "OSHA Committee on Air Contaminants and Ventilation", CJD-i19-72, WHM-520-72, DRL-85-72; September 27, 1972. V 006058