Document pmK09j0kDJ4jjVbL5m2yMXxRB

T (c MAY 2 7 1935 o.d.i. Biochemical Research Department THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY NoteS E.E.D. JUN 20 1255 SUBJECT: RESULTS OP AIR ANALYSIS MADE Pile: Chg. Rec'd Pin'd Work Rep't T2.1-1-32 A) 1219 10-23-54 5-5-55 S. R. Johann S. R. Johann Signed Date S-iC - Date 3-3-- TO: Ray McDonald. 433 Bldg. Ralph Hand, 433 Bldg.. S. M. MacCutcheon, '401 Bldg. K. H. Gay, K.D., 607 Eldg. DOW CONFIDENTIAL CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Air analysis showed that the presence of air borne 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 thi3 material. Sufficient quantities of lead were found in the air samples in two cf 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. STOOGOli'i 1 Biochemical Research Dept. T2.1-1-32 Page 2 PRESENTATION OF DATA During the processing of experimental formulations of asbestos vinyl tile, it was beleived 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. V^iLzyA--':- The amount of dry material found in the air during the different nixing 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 over each piece of equipment and the dry mixing with the electric mixer in the laboratory should be done in an approved hood. 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 wa3 deemed necessary to have blood lead analyses made on the men concerned. The examinations 3howed the blood lead level was low. The men have not suffered any ill effects because they have operated the equipment for short periods of time only. Continuous eight hour operation would constitute a health hazard. This information is shown in Table I. S'l09001S 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 shovm in Table II, along with the samples that were analyzed for metals. TABLE I Blood lead content of men working-with asbestos - vinyl tile Name Clock No. Mg. Pg 100 cc : E. P. Smith R. R. Spencer Ralph Hand Allowable Amount 1573-107 12-288 12-269 0.024 0.024 0.016 0.08 Samples drawn, 3-7-55 Recorded, 4-4-55 STOO68I16 Biochemical Research Dept. T2.1-1-32 Page 4 TABLE II Sample No. 1 2 3 4 3 6 7 Location of Sample Analysis Man was mixing a batch of vinyl- asbestos tile, on a differential 3peed 2 roll mill. Sample taken about 2 feet above the hot rolls (285P. &.235P.) Odor of coconut oil present. Asbestos fibers could be seen in the air 'for'a few minutes. . .. Pb cd Inert Same operation as Sample"#l; " a different formulation'used. No odor of coconut oil. Fumes or steam could be seen rising from the rolls. ccd Inert Breathing zone sample of the operator while he was running a third batch of material on the same machine as in Samples 1 & 2. Man stated the odor was strong and disagreeable. Ba cd Inert Same as sample #3 but included cleaning the rolls after the run. Different formulation than in Sample #3. Pb Ba Cd Inert Blending dry ingredients in a Inert Baker-Perklns mixer. CaCOj being added to dry vinyl plus stabilizer. No asbestos fibers added at this stage. Material became plastic after mixing. Same mixing operation as above 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. Inert Breathing zone of the operator on the Bandbury Mill, as he added the dry filler material (asbestos & CaCO^) 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. Inert Concer.tratic Mg/m3 3.47 <.66 102.OC <.66 93.00 4.00 <. 66 lb.00 .98 4.00 <445 Nil 50. CO 0.00 66.00 ST006847 Biochemical Research Dept. T2.1-1-32 Page 5 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 Pb Ba Cd Inert Ccncectratic Mg/q-^ 24.20 0.15 0.50 0.10 15.00 VJ\