Document peNNKox2546egb75pkn3mwyd

T QJflCE COP14 1AY27 JS0S0.B.1 Biochemical Research Department; THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY NoteaE.E.0. JUN 20 1955 RESULTS 0? AIR ANALYSIS MADE WHILE MIXING ASBESTOS VINYL FLOOR TILE % File: Chg* Rac'd Fin'd Work Rep't T2.1-1-32 A) 1219 10-23-54 5-5-55 S. R. Johann S. R. Johann Checked"/ fj. & Date V- Ray McDonald. 433 Bldg. Ralph Hand, 433 Bldg.. S. M. MacCuteheen, 401 Bldg. H. H. Gay, M.D., 607 Bldg. / THIS REPORT IS THE PROPERTY OF THE BCW RSSISCAL WKPAsy o c DOW CONFIDENTIAL CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Air analysis showed that the presence of air home materials near the operators was of sufficient concentration to create a health hazard for repeated eight hour exposure. The present equipment should be equlped with local exhaust ventilation if It is planned to operate continuously on this material* Sufficient quantities of lead were found In the air samples In two of the operations, such that blood lead analyses were thought necessary* The results of the blood lead analyses showed the men had not been exposed for long enough periods of time to result in excessive exposure to lead. ^ <\ a r. 1 /.* Isi DOW 06237 f Biochemical Research Deot T2.1-1-32 Page 2 } PRESENTATION OP DATA During the processing of experimental formulations of asbestos vinyl tile. It was belelved a health hazard existed due to the dustiness of the dry ingredients used. The Industrial Hygiene Laboratory was asked to Investigate this hazard. The 23rd of December 1954, samples Were taken of the air while the men were operating the different.:pieces of mixing equipment on the 3rd floor of 433 building. : *cr-> - . The amount of dry material found In the air during the different mixing operations was such that If these operations were run on a continuous basis a health hazard would exist. Any further large scale work should be done with Improved ventilation. This ventilation should include exhaust ventilation hoods oCer each t piece of equipment and the dry mixing with the Electric mixer In the laboratory should be done In an approved hood. o i uubb4b The majority of dry materials In the air was assumed to be asbestos fibers and calcium carbonate.. No specific tests were made at the time of sampling to determine the amount of each present. The two materials are reported as inerts. Any future work with this or similar material should be checked for the amount of asbestos In the air. An excess, that Is more than 5 million particles per cubic foot of air, is a health hazard for repeated eight hour exposures. Owing to the presence of lead-organic compounds In the dry mixtures. It was deemed necessary to have blood lead analyses made on the men concerned. The examinations showed the blood lead level was low. The men have not suffered any 111 effects because they have operated the equipment for short periods of time only. Continuous eight hour operation would constitute'a health hazard. This Information la shown In Table I. DOW 06238 Biochemical Research Dept. T2.1-1-32 Page 3 The amount of material found In the air as solid Inert material, assumed to be calcium carbonate and asbestos, is shown In Table II, along with the samples that were analyzed for metals. TABLE I ' 'f# . v Blood lead content of men working with asbestos - vinyl tile Kama Clock No. Mg. Pg per 100 cc Blood E. ?. Smith R. R. Spencer Ralph Hand Allowable Amount Samples drawn, 3-7-35 1573-107 12-288 12-269 Recorded, 4-4*55 0.024 0.024 0.016 0.08 c c c tt t DO^ 06239 t.h I Biochemical Research Dept T2.1-1-32 Page 4 TABLE II Sample No. Location of Sample Analysis Ccncentr Mg/a3 1 Kan was nixing a batch of vinyl- Pb 3.47 asbestos tile on a differential cd <.66 speed 2 roll mill* Sample taken Inert 102.00 about 2 feet above the hot rolls (285*F. *.235#F.) Odor of . coconut oil present. .Asbestos fibers * could be seen in the air for a few minutes........................ :v\V;.<: 2 Same operation as Sample"#!; * dd <.66 a different formulation'uaea. Inert 93.00 No odor of coconut oil. Puses or steam could be seen rising from the rolls. 3 Breathing zone sample of the Ba 4.00 operator while he was running cd <.66 a thitd batch of material on Inert 10.00 the same machine as in Samples 1 & 2. Kan stated the odor { was strong and disagreeable. 4 Same as sample #3 but Included Pb cleaning the rolls after the Ba run. Different formulation than Cd in Sample #3. Inert 5 Blending dry Ingredients in a Inert 50.00 Baker-Perklns mixer. CaC03 being added to dry vinyl plus stabiliser. No asbestos fibers added at this stage. Material became plastic after mixing. 6 Same mixing operation as above Inert 0.00 but as the asbestos fiber is added. The material already in the mixer was soft. This and sample #5 are done about 20 runs per day when doing this particular experiment about 10 min. per run. 7 Breathing zone of the operator on Inert 66.00 the Bandbury Mill, as he added the dry filler material (asbestos fc CaCOo) to the molten mixture of vinyl. Dry filler material was visible in the air for several minutes but was dlssapated by the room ventilation, operation takes about 3 min. 00\A o^A Biochemical Research Dept T2.1-1-38 Page 5 Sample Ko. 8 Location of Sample Sample taken In the lab while the operator was mixing dry Ingredients in a "Kitchenaid" electric mixer. This Is done about 10 times a day. Industrial Hygiene Standards for repeated eight hour. ' exposures. .' '' > Analysis Inert Fb Ba Cd Inert Conceatr Mg/ar 24.20 0.15 0.50 0.10 15.00 gif Q tiQ -q n n ic DOW 06241