Document pp5KR2QkLGoJR01OMNGXKe9YD

TOXICOLOGY & HAZARD COMMUNICATION NEWS CONOCO MEDICAL August 1987 Volume 5, Number 2 Cutting Fluids In the mid-1970s. it was recognized that cutting fluids contain ing nitrites and amines may also contain N-nitrosamines. Nitrosamines can be carcinogenic to animals and there was concern for potential exposure to workers. For safety reasons, nitrites were removed from the formulations. A new study has evaluated the prevalence of cancer in male machine workers exposed for at least one year to cutting fluids containing nitrites and amines. The results indicated no in creases in cancer or decrease in life expectancy. In this study, a group of 219 workers was compared to the general popula tion of Gothenburg. Sweden, (population of 400.000) where the workers were employed. Exposure to oil averaged 3 mg/ m? in 1978 but before 1965. it was probably 5 mg/nv1 or more. Every worker was followed up to December 1983. No increases in cancer (gastrointestinal, lung, urinary bladder, prostate, or total cancer) or decrease in life expectancy were ind. Asbestos Lawsuits involving asbestos continue to make news. Asbestos is u fibrous silicate mineral found in mineral deposits (iron ore. talc. etc.). Asbestos is heat resistant and chemically inert so it is useful in insulators, brake liners, gaskets, roofing materials, paint tillers, filters, reinforcing agents in rubber or plastics, etc. Stability and fiber size are thought to be important for asbestos-related lung damage or cancer (lung and mesothe lioma). Because of these potential health hazards. OSHA has proposed lowering the asbestos workplace standard from 2 fibers/cc to 0.5. 0.2. or 0.1 fibers/cc. The Canadian government is funding research aimed at reduc ing the health hazards of asbestos and making it safer for industrial use. This could help with the use of asbestos in industry. Asbestos Substitutes Overexposure to asbestos has been blamed for thousands of deaths and for affecting the health of even more people: asbestos exposure has been linked with lung disease, lung cancer, and mesothelioma (a rare type of cancer). Further more. asbestos-related lung cancer is enhanced by smoking rettes. H.sbe.stos substitutes such as glass fiber, mineral wool, and ceramic fibers have been commercial successes. However, Produced by Office and Graphic Services-- IPC recent animal studfes indicate that some asbestos substitutes may also pose a health hazard. Many scientists believe that any fiber that is long, thin, and durable may have the potential to be a health hazard if inhaled in sufficient quantities. Dr. Philip Enterline, a renowned epidemiologist, says that several types of insulation fibers may be potentially carcinogenic, but are less toxic than asbestos. Dr. Enterline is presently studying workers who were exposed to glass fiber and mineral-wool fibers. Ceramic fibers have been tested in two rat inhalation studies; one study showed a carcinogenic effect, while the second study showed no such effect. As a precautionary measure, the U. S. Navy has banned the use of ceramic fibers during ship construction or maintenance. In June 1987. a scientific review was sponsored by the World Health Organization to consider health-effect issues of asbes tos. OSHA is also debating whether to recommend stricter workplace exposure limits for asbestos substitutes. Both in dustry and academic institutions are planning new studies on fiber insulation safety. If asbestos substitutes are judged to affect human health, the result could cause more government regulations and lawsuits. The final chapter of this saga has yet to be written. Clarified Slurry Oil/Reformulated Products Shell Oil recently informed EPA that it reformulated three products that formerly contained clarified oil: the products were dust suppressant road oils, an asphalt emulsification agent, and an asphalt recycling product. Clarified oil was replaced with light catalytically cracked distillate (CAS No. 64741-59-9). This reformulation was made because ani mal skin painting studies had shown that repeated overexpo sure to clarified oil caused liver damage and skin tumors. Note that in the animal skin painting studies, the clarified oil was applied daily and never washed from the skin. Nickel Catalysts Refineries use nickel catalysts and it is possible that nickel subsulfide {NiS2) accumulates during use of the catal>M. even though one oil company believes the concentration is hH*w 10 ppm. Overexposure to nickel subsulfide is believed io cause human lung cancer, while animal studies show u to he the most potent metallic carcinogen. Worker exposure xfmid be minimized to reduce potential health effects: the w.fLpt^c exposure limit (TLV) is l mg/nr\ mod 00001792Q Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is a large volume chemical used in poly mers, particle board, and as a preservative in consumer and industrial products. In 1979. a rat inhalation study showed that formaldehyde might be carcinogenic. Since then, at least 10 epidemiology studies involving over 20.000 work ers failed to show any excess nasal cancer. In 1986, the National Cancer Institute completed another epidemiology study of over 26.000 workers who had been exposed to formaldehyde in the workplace. This study suggested that formaldehyde does not cause cancer in humans at levels experienced in the workplace and that "when compared to the general U.S. population, deaths from all causes and from all cancers among the exposed workers were about as expected." These epidemiology studies do not show the carcinogenic effect seen in the 1979 rat inhalation study wherein irritant concentrations of formaldehyde caused an increased incidence of nasal tumors. Reproductive Hazards Potential reproductive hazards in the workplace are a con tinuing concern to industry. Recently, the electronics in dustry has had several class-action lawsuits where workers allege their jobs have caused them to have miscarriages, hysterectomies, and children born mentally retarded or with learning disabilities. These workers claim they have been exposed to more than 500 toxic chemicals, including heavy metals, organic solvents, acids, epoxies, plastics, and gases such as chlorine and arsine. The workers also contend that worker protection was inadequate: gloves, masks, and ven tilation were not adequate. A new study of workers in the electronic industry indicated an increased incidence of reproductive abnormalities. However. OSHA officials say the reproductive hazards may not be work-related since the study does not account for life-style {smoking,"etc.). planned abortions, etc. Ther** epidemiological studies are not easy to conduct and mui thoroughly reviewed for variables (comparison biasntw-. degree and type of exposure, etc.) that could affect the interpretation of any findings. This issue of reproductive hazards emphasizes the impor tance of a corporate health and safety program to include hazard evaluation of purchased products, intermediates, and finished products: worker training: utilization of ade quate workplace protection devices: exposure assessment: and medical surveillance. Also. life-style variables must be known to properly assess their influence on worker health. Air Pollution Homes are now constructed to conserve energy and this has reduced the amount of fresh air circulated through the house. A recent EPA report suggests that indoor air pollu tion may be a greater health risk than previously thought. Indoor air pollutants include chloroform (from heating chlorinated water), dichlorobenzene (air fresheners), and benzene (cigarettes). The main source of exposure to benzene is cigarette smoke. Smokers have 10 times the exposure to benzene compared to nonsmokers. However, nonsmokers living with smokers have elevated levels of benzene in their blood. ChroT';~ exposure to high concentrations of benzene can cause bl disorders and leukemia. Recently, two studies have show., that children who live with smoking parents are more likely to have leukemia. TOXICOLOGY & HAZARD COMMUNICATION NEWS If there are corrections or additions to the newsletter mailing list, please return th^ form to: W. D. Broddle Conoco Inc. -- Medical Division PI40 South Tower Ponca City. OK 74605 Please correct my address as shown below. Please remove my name from the mailing list. Please remove the following names from the mailing list. Please add the following names to the mailing list. Please send a newsletter binder. Name/Department Address INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE Jc TOXICOLOGY NEWS CONOCO MEDICAL December 1983 Volume 1, Number 1 This document is the first issue of the Conoco Medical Division's Newsletter entitled "Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology News." The Medical Division is Occupational Exposure to Ethylene Dlbromide (EDB) attempting to develop a format for dissemination of information which pertains to substances in the operating department's work areas. This deserves a high level of awareness by company personnel to ensure that employee safety and health is protected. Medical Division will also use the newsletter for updates on pertinent medical and health-related regulatory issues. EDB is a lead scavenger in leaded gasoline (ca. 1000 ppm) and is a pesti cide. Du Pont is a manufacturer and Conoco uses EDB in leaded gasoline. This newsletter should reach appropriate personnel within the operating depart ments. We solicit your interest in listing those employees in your department who should receive this publication. Recent animal studies have shown that, as with many halogenated hydro carbons, EDB is a potent intoxicant (less than or equal to 10 ppm) and Ifyou have comments concerning the newsletter or the content of specific subjects included, please feel free to call Medical Division at your convenience. poses risks of carcinogenicity, muta genicity, spermatotoxicity, reproduc jy. V. tive toxicity, and damage to numerous internal organs. A Federal Register C. L. Whetstone,'M.D. Manager .edical Division proposal on October 7, 1983, by OSHA would lower the average work place exposure limit to 0.1 ppm (pre sent limit is 20 ppm) with a ceiling of 0.5 ppm. The proposal also restricts skin exposure and sets requirements HAZARD COMMUNICATION for personnel monitoring, methods of The final OSHA rule on Hazard Communication was published on November 25, 1983. This rule establishes uniform requirements which ensure that hazards of all chemicals produced or imported within the manufacturing sector are evaluated and that hazard information is transmitted to affected employers and employees. The goal of the standard is to reduce the incidence of chemically-related illnesses and injuries in the manufacturing industries. Manufacturers, importers, and distributors are required to be in compliance with the rule by November 25,1985, whereas all aspects pertaining to employers have to be completed within an additional six months from that date. Employers are required to have a written hazard communication program which specifies the methods used to inform employees about the hazards of chemicals to which they are exposed. This program will include container labeling, other forms of warn ing, Material Safety Data Sheets, and employee training. Copies of the Material Safety Data Sheet for hazardous chemicals are to be accessible to employees in the workplace. (Contact M. A. Chance for a copy of the regulation.) API stated that if the rule had been delayed, they would have sent a communica tion to the Office of Management and Budget indicating API support of the standard and a desire for its expeditious promulgation. One reason for API's pport is that the regulation preempts the increasing state and local hazard oeling laws. Currently, 17 states have passed chemical labeling "Right-to'~Know" laws; 8 of these were passed in states in 1983. Also, 34 local communities have adopted their own programs; 22 ordinances were passed during 1983. Additional state and local laws and ordinances are pending. control, personal protective equip ment, hygiene practices, medical sur veillance, and employee training and education. The proposal does not ap ply to automotive service stations or the distribution, storage, or bulk hand ling of leaded fuel since OSHA has data showing these areas have worker exposure levels below 0.01 ppm. Analytical detection is at least 0.00001 ppm. However, operations that will be regulated include those dealing with the production, blending, and packag ing of products containing EDB. such as regular gasoline. Thus petroleum operations personnel should review potential exposures to EDB. especial ly where concentrated forms i>i EDB are used (i.e., additive fonrnUanuaa for preparation of leaded a*o4mr< More information on this reguL*** can be obtained from Ms M * Chajire, Medical Division. MCD 000017922 REPRODUCTIVE UPDATE Asbestos Refinery Waste Treatment/ Reproductive Hazards Exxon recently reported that wives of workers at a wastewater treatment facility (Baton Rouge) had an abnor mally high incidence of spontaneous abortions and that the effect may be related to their husbands* exposure to chemicals or heavy metals at the refin ery. However, government officials could not verify a significant health effect but the officials encouraged the use and proper maintainence of seals and other devices that reduce expo sures to potential toxic materials. Birth Defects/ Biological Mechanism Approximately 2 percent of newborn infants have birth defects. To better understand this problem, the Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology (CIIT) is studying how birth defects (teratogenesis) occur. Animal and hu man cell culture techniques are being used to determine how teratogens, like thalidimide. cause birth defects. A popular theory is that tissue growth is controlled by cell-to-cell communi cations via gap junctions which allow exchange of chemical messengers; this process is called ` `metabolic coopera tion" and may be important in ex plaining birth defects, as well as cancer. Glycol Ethers/ Reproduction Toxicity Glycol ethers are solvents used in the petroleum industry and worker expo sure is a distinct possibility. Animal studies have recently shown that gly col ethers, such as Cellosolve, Methyl- and Butyl-Cellosolve, cause dose-related reproductive toxic ity in both sexes (birth defects, steril ity, etc.); these effects are not seen at levels of 10 ppm or less. Haskell Laboratories (Du Pont) has lowered the acceptable exposure level (AEL) of the various ceilosolves by approxi mately fivefold to now be 1-25 ppm. Skin contact should be avoided, and operating personnel should determine whether glycol ethers are used in the workplace and ensure that exposures are minimized. Toxicology Studies With Gasoline Recent studies supported by the American Petroleum Institute, API, involved mice and rats being exposed to unleaded gasoline vapors at concentrations of 67, 292, and 2056 ppm for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for two years. Remember, the U.S.A. exposure standard for gasoline is 300 ppm. The most significant result was that male rats had an increased incidence of damage and tumors in the kidney. In July, an industry-supported workshop concluded that this new information did not, by itself, mean that gasoline was a significant health hazard; a review of the toxicity, human exposure, and human medical records do not indicate that gasoline poses a significant health hazard. However, API is conducting a thor ough research program to fully assess the potential health effects of gasoline. Conoco personnel are very much involved in the above API activities. Conoco has also prepared precautionary literature that has been distributed to employees through pay envelope stuffers and is available to customers at Conoco-operated service stations. Also available for distribution is an article in Conoco World, wherein Dr. C. L. Whetstone, Medical, explains API and industry research and assessment of gasoline health hazards. Conoco North American Marketing has developed health warning decals for gasoline pumps and portable containers. A product information telephone number (405-767-6000) has been reserved by the Medical Division in Ponca City so that inquiries can be answered promptly. For the past three months OSHA has oscillated between publishing emergency temporary standard, ET or preparing a regular 6(b) rulemaxing. The ETS, published November 4, 1983, reduces the workplace standard from 2 fibers/cc to0.5 fiber/cc. Com pliance shall be achieved by any feasi ble combinations of engineering con trols, work practices, and personal protective equipment and devices. The asbestos industry won a court stay temporarily blocking these new tougher limits, pending a hearing on January 12. OSHA was to have a final standard out within six months. Respiratory Toxicity of Asbestos and Fibrous Glass Insulation: Asbestos is a good insulator but the fibers are known to cause Lung disease and abdominal tumors (mesothe liomas). Fibrous glass is being used as a substitute for asbestos, but fewer toxicity studies with fibrous glass have been conducted. Some types of glass fibers have produced abdominal^ tumors in exposed rodents but. as w: asbestos, the fiber diameter and lengi.. determine carcinogenic potency Asbestos is more toxic to the lungs than glass fibers and this is probably related to the greater durability of asbestos. Interestingly, recent reports show that both short-term test tube assays and 3-12 month animal studies can be used to demonstrate the poten- 'agement ^hould-evakrate workplace exposure And prarmr-c inwiluinji-m. jirlnfirrn rimii ii'iI'i rirnnrirriiTrT'l--r--. a fibrous glass.---- _______________ Hearing Conservation Program One of the requirements for the hear ing conservation program ^ (he . n pletion of baseline audiocrj!*" March 1, 1984, as per OSH \ .. . i ^ tions^All tuoiumaims arr : /gomplv with the regulation fT' 7 has problems with comp . needs assistance, please - .. Mukheijee at 405-767-54v< MCI) 000017923 CARCINOGENESIS HIGHLIGHTS Carcinogenic Study 1 Acrylamide Acrylamide is used in the production of polyacrylamide polymers which are used as drilling mud additives, chro matographic and photographic media, mining flocculants, and friction reduc ers. An industry-supported study has shown that acrylamide, known to cause nerve damage, dissolved in the drinking water of rats (2 ppm) caused tumors in the brain, spinal cord, mammary gland, uterus, mouth, pituitary gland, and thy roid gland. Tissue from lower dose groups still needs to be evaluated and a final report is being prepared. The work place exposure limit is 0.3 mg/m3 (0.1 ppm), but skin exposure must be avoided. ZEOLITES/CANCER RISK Zeolites are natural mineral or synthet ic materials that refineries use in cat alytic operations. Recent animal stud ies suggest that zeolites cause cancer 'nd lung disorders similar to effects used by asbestos or silica. A final scientific or hazard assessment has not been determined: many natural zeolites and most synthetic zeolites are not fibrous and thus seemingly not capable of causingasbesiosJiJcelQxicity. Reg^ilessT^Conoco-pefseimel evaluate overall-utilization-ef res.fn zeolites and-art..to minimize potemii.............. Mineral Oils/lnternational Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Scientists representing IARC, aca demia, and industry concluded re cently that the carcinogenicity of mineral oils (distilled oils, acidtreated oils, solvent-refined oils, hydrotreated oils, white oils, petro latum and aromatic oils) depends on the degree of refinement; untreated or mildly treated solvent refined oils are carcinogenic, whereas severely refined oils are not carcinogenic, probably because high molecular weight aromatics have been re moved. The data is mostly from animal studies but a few epidemioloy gy s(udi< response. Thusv-management fcsess wnrkplaop and proHnrfc for th_ywT*>nfiaiWith haan^c -liquids. ALCOHOLS/MUTAGENESIS AND CARCINOGENESIS The EPA has reported on animal stud ies showing that n-propyl and isobutyi alcohol are mutagenic in bacteria and carcinogenic in rats. The EPA is assessing whether these chemicals pose a significant health hazard based on toxicity and exposure data. Formaldehyde/Epidemiology Study Formaldehyde is estimated to be involved with 8 percent of the U.S. gross national product, and Concee usee it qj an antimicrobial in petroleum products and drilling npnntinnr. Animal studies recently showed that formaldehyde caused nasal tumors in exposed rats, and government regulations have been anticipated which would limit industrial use and worker exposures. 1o increased cancer risk was seen in recent epidemiology studies involving European or U.S. workers (Du Pont study). Also, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC, has reversed themselves and agreed to approve the use of urea-formaldehyde foam for insulation purposes. This decision by CPSC was partially the result of animal and epidemiology studies that more completely ^viluatethpotential health hazards of formaldehyde._______ nr` iiiiTTinirnndhf p^imTi?il the chemical is very reactive and poses a potential health hazard as reflected by the orkplace standard of 1 ppm (1.5 mg/m3). Cost-Effectiveness of Cancer Research Dr. M. C. Weinstein, Harvard, has evaluated several areas of cancer re search and calculated the costeffectiveness of each. An example was a comparison of recent studies where: (a) p-dichlorobenzene was bioassayed for carcinogenicity in mice and rats and (b) Vitamin A was evaluated in human trials for cancer prevention effects. Estimates of costeffectiveness were $11,000 for the pdichlorobenzene studies and $91 for the Vitamin A studies. Dr. Wein stein's conclusion is that most cancer research is informative but the studies should reflect-cost effectiveness. -Cohoco should minimi the gufrtowr. mrnt nf thin philosophy irhrn rnm_ mrififing on propositi n juilminn ~ Titanium Dioxide/Unexpected Carcinogenesis DuPontisamajorproducerofTi02, a material used for whitening and opaci fying paints, paper, and plastics. Conoco uses many of these products in everyday operations. The workplace exposure standard is 5 mg/m3 (respir able dust) but unexpected toxicity was seen when Du Pont recently completed rat inhalation studies (10, 50, or 250 mg Ti02/m3; 6 hrs/day, 5 days/week for 2 years). The low and mid-dose groups showed no signs of toxicity, but the high-dose group had dust-filled lungs and increased incidence of be nign and malignant lung tumors Du Pont stated that it plans further studies, but there are no reports of re spiratory disease concerning the more than 50 years ofT1O2 production Note that a rodent ingestion study in conducted by the U.S. government showed no adverse effects. IJ J Y: ; 3 : .7 Du Pont believes the present place gjnriard of, ad^uatrprbtecfion. /wrr Thralil ntmi 1 1,1 r" to products containing TiOv- MCI) 000017924 New Benzene Regulations in Canada DioxinvHeaith Hazards The Ontario government has proposed new occupational exposure regula tions for benzene (I ppm timeweighted average, TWA, and a 5 ppm ceiling). The present U.S.A. standard is 10 ppm (TWA) butOSHA will soon propose a much lower standard, perhaps in the range of 0.1-1 ppm. Benzene activities in the U S.A. have included publication by OSHA of a regulatory timetable (proposed work place standard in November 1983, public hearings in February of 1984, and a final rule by June 1984). An international conference on ben zene was held in New York City on November 3-4 and was attended by W. D. Broddle, Ph.D., Medical. Studies reported showed benzene is more potent (blood and solid tissue tumors, immune deficities, etc.) than previously thought, and OSHA will under pressure to propose more strict workplace regulations. A review of the conference is avail able, but the data reported should give OSHA sufficient justification to lower the 10 ppm benzene standard. No spe cific indication was given as to what OSHA will propose. /Conoco Medical will stay abreast of \ /these activities to keep you informed, j TO SkT 'THIS* , Skin Absorption of Solvents Human studies involving tetra-x chloroethylene, 1,1,1 trichloroethan^ xylene, styrene and toluene show* that absorption of solvent vaporsN through undamaged skin is minimal (0.1-2 percent of amount absorbed from the respiratory tract). However. rlnmngrd nktrrmny^r morr il fiveT Conoco operations use these sel- vAnfg anH nmpln. hn urniru^ nf thh pnnihility nf ilrjn nhmrprinn Dioxins are chlorinated polycycliclike hydrocarbons that are contanv"~N nants or products of processes utilizir^ chlorination in some form and in the presence of organic matter. Dioxins are very toxic (lethal dose, mcg/kg range) to laboratory animals and a government-sponsored panel of scien tists concluded that dioxins pose a potential carcinogenic risk to humans. However, more research is needed to make a more definitive conclusion. For nun, dioriii'i iiir Conoco personnel should lunucT Division if thpy h*liftvi rligg. ins are involved in workplace expo sures ui in any Of Couuu/'s industrial ributing authors include: Broddle, Ph.D. . A. Chance Mukherjee >. D. Steffey, Ph D. This newsletter will be published periodically to summarize recent health-related information that appears to be of potential interest to Conoco personnel. The subject matter will not be exhaustively researched but only briefly reviewed; material be included because of general interest or possible importance to past, present and future Conoco operations. Contav. J Ms. M. A. Chance, Medical Division, for more details; comments on the newsletter will always be appreciated. WS(. czr -4 > IOrn 33 H 33 O* o *O ti r imm > r cxx h tn o m rn T7 < M on oO' om c tn o o oo 1HT / & RECEtVEff DEC 211983 L MEDICAL OIV. CONOCO MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND TOXICOLOGY NEWS MAILING LIST If there are individuals in your department who would like to receive this newsletter on a regular basis, please list their names and return this form to: Mary Ann Chance Conoco Inc. -- Medical Division Ml20 South Tower Ponca City, OK 74603 G Please correct my address as shown below. Please remove my name from the mailing list. Please add the following names to the mailing list. Name Address INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE & i TOXICOLOGY NEWS CONOCO MEDICAL March 1984 Volume 2, Number 1 Federal Hazard Communication Versus State Right-to-Know--Federal Courts to Decide The Federal Hazard Communication Standard published in November of 1983 took nearly a decade to evolve into a final standard and has been re ferred to as the most significant regula tory action ever taken by OSHA. The standard applies to chemical manufacturers and importers in SIC codes 20 through 39 (for Conoco, this includes Refining, Chemicals, Conoco Specialty Products Inc., laboratories, and distributors of Con oco products). The regulation requires that materials manufactured and used must be assessed and Material Safety ata sheets developed and distributed. raming labels must be affixed to con tainers of hazardous materials dis tributed and to containers used in the workplace. A written hazard com munication program must be de veloped including an inventory of hazardous chemicals at each site. Em ployee training must be conducted where hazardous chemicals are used. No sooner was the standard published than the United Steelworkers sought judicial review. They have been joined by the AFL-CIO, Public Citizen, Inc., and three states which have enacted right-to-know laws. Interveners on OSHA's side include CMA, API, and National Paint and Coatings Association. Substantial issues raised are the limited application of the standard to certain SIC codes, trgJe secrets, and whether OSHA can delegate to industry the authority to determine what is hazardous. States With Active or Proposed Right-To-Know Statutes March 15, 1984 Perhaps the toughest legal question facing OSHA and other parties is whether, or to what degree, the OSHA standard preempts the state and local right-to-know laws that have been enacted in 16 states and several cities during the last few years. (See related map.) If Conoco operating depart ments have been excluded from the federal regulation, their operation could still be covered by the state right-to-know laws. The decisions will be made in the courts, but either way, we shall be seeing industry activity in the areas addressed by the standard. HEAD OF OSHA RESIGNS Thome G. Auchter, Assistant Secre tary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is resigning his post effective March 31, 1984. Patrick R. Tyson. Deputy Assistant Secretary, will be come Interim Assistant Secretary New "Product Information" Telephone Service Do you have health-related question* on Conoco products? If so, call the newly developed "Product Infomution" telephone number which tu* been established in the Conoco McJi cal Division in Ponca City. The num her is ETN 442-6000 or 405-'*' 6000. For calls coming in after v normal business hours, an ans^erm* service is available. Requests mis left on the recording and iii -v answered as soon as possible. 1 mr, gency calls coming in after n. work hours will be referred to Jn number where a medical call < used to obtain an immediate re*p> - mod 000017926 PCBs/Human Health Risks The Federal Register (December 8, 1983) contained a proposed EPA rule to exclude regulation of certain inad vertently generated PCBs and the pro cessing, distribution, and recycling of PCBs. The EPA is proposing this rule based on a risk-to-benefit analysis and represents the agency's most recent appraisal of potential health effects of PCBs. The review concludes that PCBs may cause reproductive toxic ity, cancer, and contact irritation. Health risks depend on toxicity, poten cy, and degree of exposure; EPA notes that the PCB content of Americans' fat tissue is decreasing, probably due to governmental regulations which have reduced exposure to PCBs. This proposed rule demonstrates that EPA is willing to consider the societal benefits of a chemical before propos ing regulations that would more rigid ly control the health hazards of a com mercial product. Formaldehyde and Cancer Risks Formaldehyde is a widely used indus trial chemical, and much attention has been given to animal inhalation studies that showed increased incidence of nasal tumors. Department of Labor's OSHA administrators recently de cided not to initiate emergency rule making since the evidence does not suggest that formaldehyde poses a "grave health risk'' to workers. EPA has also rescinded its 1982 decision to regulate formaldehyde as a toxic sub stance. Quantitative risk assessment (QRA) by OSHA projected that the cancer risk for most exposed workers was 1.5 per 10,000 employees and that this level is far below the 1 in 1,000 risk which the Supreme Court has noted a reasonable person "might" conclude warranted permanent rule making. This decision is noteworthy since it demonstrates a portion of OSHA's risk assessment philoso phy-- particularly as it relates to a Supreme Court decision. Asphalt Industry Health Committee In 1980, the Asphalt Roofing Manu facturers Association organized an In dustry Health Steering Committee to provide industry's response to (1) OSHA's deliberations on whether to exclude asphalt from the cancer-like regulations called the Coal Tar Pitch Volatile (CTPV) standard and (2) a NIOSH-supported study, reported in 1981, that showed asphalt fume condensate was carcinogenic in a mouse skin painting study. Regard less, OSHA subsequently exempted asphalt from the CTPV standard based on differing health effects of asphalt compared to CTPVs. OSHA still con siders asphalt to present a hazard to exposed employees, but appropriate workplace practices will minimize this potential hazard. The asphalt health committee is pres ently reviewing the need for further animal experimentation which would more fully assess potential health hazards of asphalt. The committee is also monitoring ongoing NIOSH re search with asphalt and is funding a study survey to determine if an epidemiology (worker health) study is feasible for asphalt roofing workers. In March of this year, a Europeanbased organization. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), evaluated published studies dealing with carcinogenicity ofasphalt and concluded that there is only ''lim ited' ' animal test data showing asphalt is carcinogenic. Related to this activity is a decision by the Asphalt Institute to form an Ad Hoc Technical Task Force n Health Aspects of Asphalt (Dr. T. J. Chester, Medical, is a member). This task force will review the status of activities within govern mental agencies concerning environ mental and health aspects of asphalt and, if needed, recommend action to be taken by the Asphalt Institute. D ^00017927 OSHA's Emergency Asbestos Standard ^ The U.S. Court of Appeals for t. Fifth Circuit March 7 struck down the OSHA emergency temporary standard (ETS) governing the permissible workplace exposure to asbestos be cause the record failed to show a "grave" risk as defined by the agency or that the ETS is "necessary" as the term is used in the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Appeals Court had granted a temporary stay of the standard, which reduced the timeweighted permissible exposure level (PEL) for ambient asbestos fibers 2 f/cc (fibers per cubic centimeter) to 0.5 l/cc, pending judicial review of the rule. The Circuit Judge said, "No new data or discovery leads OSHA to invoke its extraordinary ETS powers and lower the asbestos PEL." The court further stated that this finding should not be construed as a prediction that a lowetgj^ asbestos PEL would fail under judicial scrutiny if OSHA promulgates it pur-"^ suant to proper notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Storage for Disposal Regulations In the Federal Register of November 17, 1983, EPA announced its polio on storage for disposal of PCBs i*) CFR Part 761). The regulations prc scribe a one-year time limit on storage of PCB articles or PCB containers prior to their eventual disposal. HP \ reminds the regulated community .t the one-year time limit on storage which began on January 1, 1983. *nu is enunciating its policy to m>jrr adherence to the regulations !V agency will not extend the one time limit to allow PCB waste ators or disposal facilities ace- ^ time to store and dispose * * waste. EPA will allocate liah* tween the waste generator an-a er for failure to meet the one s . posal deadline. The Implications of enetic Testing Progress made in the held of genetic engineering within the last decade is changing scientific thinking in numer ous areas of the biological and physical sciences. Some applications of these sci entific advances may directly affect workplace practices. For example, based upon the genetic material at birth, scientists are now able to predict the likelihood of some types of disease, and perhaps monitor for occupational toxicity in adult life. However, one must remember that sci entists disagree on interpretations ofdata derived from genetic testing in humans. A worker's susceptibility to disease from exposure to toxins on the job may be predictable, in part, from the genetics of the individual. These advances may have far-reaching implications for hu man resource management. There are two potential human resource management applications of genetic '"sting: Genetic screening is a one-time test ing procedure to determine whether a job applicant carries genetic traits that could predispose them to adverse health effects when exposed to certain chemicals. The usual means of obtaining genetic informa tion is by analyzing the blood or urine. 2. Genetic monitoring is the routine testing of an employee working with potentially toxic substances to detect any changes in the genetic material of the exposed employee. Evidence of genetic impairment could indicate the need to assess workplace ex posures, practices, processes, and engineering controls. There are only isolated examples of companies using genetic tests. The only source of information on genetic screen ing and genetic monitoring is a recent survey published by the Office of Tech nology and Assessment. Of 366 respon dents to the survey (including CEOs of nine 500 companies, the directors of i utilities and unions), 6 companies r.6 percent of the respondents) were presently using genetic tests, while 59 (16.1 percent) were contemplating genetic testing in the next five years. Causes of Cancer Many industry critics receive much publicity when they suggest that a high proportion of cancers is caused by industrial exposures. However, many reput able scientists refer to a 1975 publication in Lancet by Blot and Fraumeni that shows the following estimates: Proportion of Cancer Deaths in the United States Factor Best Estimate, % Ranee, % Cancer Deaths Tobacco Alcohol Diet Food Additives Sexual Behavior Occupation Pollution Other 30 3 35 1 7 4 2 18 25-40 2-4 10-70 -5`-2 1-13 2-8 <15 -- 120,000 12,000 140,000 4,000 32,000 16,000 8,000 72,000 `Animal studies show that some food additives (antioxidants, etc.) are anticarcinogenic. These data demonstrate that the best estimates for causes of cancer are (a) variable within a numerical range, (b) highly dependent on lifestyle, and (c) not greatly related to occupational exposures. Regardless, industry will continue to minimize workplace exposures, control health hazards, and maintain a healthy work force. While these survey results should be interpreted cautiously, they do appear to indicate a growing interest for the intro duction of genetic testing into the work place. Used Motor Oil-- Chemical Advisory EPA has published a Chemical Adviso ry on used motor oil based on a 1981 API skin painting study in which mice treated with used motor oil developed malignant ahd benign tumors. As the first risk warning issued by EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act, the notice underwent extensive agency re view prior to approval. This "Notice of Potential Risk" con tains a list of "dos" and "don'ts." The notice warns service station workers, engine mechanics, and others who handle motor oil to "avoid skin contact with used oil, and promptly remove any used oil from their skin. '' Aquatic Toxicity of Aromatic Hydrocarbons Some petroleum and coal-derived pro cess liquids contain high concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons (AHCs). The refining of these materials and consumer use of the derived products increase the possibility of environmental exposure to these AHCs. Thus it is of interest that recent published data show that there i s a structure-activity relationship (SAR) f oe the aquatic toxicity of AHCs. The stud ies involved trout, bass, sunfish. and goldfish. Aquatic toxicity for the AHC > increased with (a) the number of aromai ic rings, (b) die substitution of nitrogen into the aromatic ring, and (c) the cent chlorination. Aquatic toxicity aU correlated directly with fat solubihts These data have allowed scientists t,construct mathematical models that on able the use ofcomputer-assisted prrd k dons of toxicity. The health warning states that test mice "developed skin cancer after their skin * ** painted with used motor oil twice a week, without being washed off, for most oi * f* r life span. While this study is not conclusive, substances found to cause caivn laboratory animals may also cause cancer in humans." The EPA may consider the use of advisories for other materials, particular!) - data indicate the substance may cause a health hazard and exposure can be lir* , "Underground Storage Tanks" and "Cutting Oil" may be topics for upc>advisories. Copies of the Used Motor Oil Advisory are available through Man " Chance, Medical Division, Ponca City (442-2140). MOD 000017928 Reproductive Hazards The U. S. Department of Health and Hu man Services has estimated from a 1980 survey that 17 percent (314,000) of working women who were employed during pregnancy were potentially ex posed to teratogenic (birth deforming) agents. In this regard, Du Pont recendy issued a review on reproductive hazards that re late to the following items of interest: The workplace can present reproduc tive hazards to a man, woman, or fetus. The woman is unique since she can become pregnant and carry the fetus into the workplace. Critics, especially women's groups, believe that companies sometimes use reproductive issues to discriminate against the female worker. However, some studies indicate that reproduc tive toxins can also affect the male. Animal studies can indicate if the chemical is a reproductive hazard to either sex and/or the fetus. Reproductive hazards can be con trolled through the use of training pro grams that explain potential health hazards, utilization of engineering controls, proper work practices, and use of personal protective equipment. A last resort may be the exclusion from the workplace of expectant mothers or women who are of child bearing age. Very few chemicals pose a reproduc tive hazard; for example, Du Pont has only 7 chemicals out of some 25,000 substances that require special con trols because of potential reproductive hazards. Only 0.5 percent of the domestic work force is affected. Animal studies are the best approach to evaluating reproductive toxicity (growth retardation, deformities, be havioral or genetic problems, etc.). While some chemicals pose reproduc tive hazards, precautionary measures can minimize adverse health effects. Contributing authors include: W. D. Broddle, Ph.D. M. A. Chance O. D. Steffey, Ph.D. Hazard Certification Of Metalworking Fluids Conoco markets metalworking flui such as cutting fluids. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recently proposed that products like these should be certified by passing several animal toxicity tests. Workplace exposures can occur for these products. In the past, formula tions have contained nitrites and amines which can form carcinogenic nitrosamines. The American Petro leum Institute is monitoring this ANSI proposal which is progressing quite slowly. Newsletter Binders Three-ring binders can be made avail able to file copies of the ` `Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology Newslet ter. ' ' If you would like a binder, either call Mary Ann Chance on ETN 4422140 or 405-767-2140 or mark the appropriate box on the form below and, return it with your mailing label to t` address listed on the form. CONOCO MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND TOXICOLOGY NEWS MAILING LIST If there are individuals in your department who would like to receive this newsletter on a regular basis/please list their names and return this form to Mary Ann Chance Conoco Inc.--Medical Division Ml20 South Tower Ponca City, OK 74603 Please correct my address as shown below. Please remove my name from the mailing list. Please add the following names to the mailing list. Please send a newsletter binder. Name/Department Address INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE i TOXICOLOGY NEWS CONOCO MEDICAL October 1984 Volume 2, Number 2 WORKPLACE REVIEWS Hydrocarbons and Nerve Damage Reports from Europe indicate that ex cessive exposure to hydrocarbons (sol vents for glues, paints, etc.) has the potential to cause nerve damage in hu mans. However, exposure levels were sometimes quite high, even to the point of obstructing vision and causing unconsciousness. American industry is evaluating the reports and possible similar hazards in the U.S., even though workplace exposures are thought to be adequately controlled. he American Petroleum Institute's .ledicine and Biological Sciences De partment has an ongoing research program which is evaluating potential neurotoxic effects of petroleum mate rials. In early 1985, API will sponsora symposium on neurobehavioral re search. The symposium is intended to promote a better understanding of neurotoxic health effects and allow fu ture research to be more productive. Noise Control Handbook For Mine Equipment A handbook published by the Depart ment of Interior Bureau of Mines de scribes how to protect mine workers against excessive noise and what such protection costs. The 87-page hand book provides information on current and evolving noise control technology for mine equipment. A copy of the handbook. Mining Machinery Noise Control Guidelines, 1983, is available "dthout charge from the Publications tribution Office, Bureau of Mines, .,00 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213 (Telephone 412621-4500. Ext. 342). NIOSH and Health Safety and health personnel may find it helpful to utilize a mathematical model recently devised by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). The model identi fies workers most likely to be exposed to toxic chemicals. Data is correlated from two NIOSH sources: the Registry' of Toxic Effects of Chemical Sub stances (RTECS) and the National Occupational Hazard Survey (NOHS). The correlation between toxicity and exposure allows NIOSH to rank potential health risks. A report is available from NIOSH entitled, "A Model for Identification of High Risk Occupational Groups Using RTECS and NOHS Data;" contact W. D. Broddle, Medical Division, for further information. Safety Symbols Recommended By Bureau of Mines The Department of Interior's Bureau of Mines has issued a report which recommends pictorial hazard-warning and safety signs. Although the signs were developed specifically for the minerals industry, the Bureau says the symbols might also be useful in other industrial applications. The use of signs is not required by law; the Bureau recommends them as an effec tive and low-cost way to promote health and safety. Copies of the report "Use of Hazard Pictorial/Symbols in the Minerals Industry" (PS 84-165 877) can be purchased from the Com merce Department's National Tech nical Information Service, 6285 Port Royal Road, Springfield. Virginia 22161 (Telephone 703-784-4650) for $17.50. MCD 000017930 Conoco Material Safety Data Sheets The Hazard Communication Stan dard. which was finalized on November 25, 1983, is regarded as a standard that will take a great deal of effort with which to comply. The Conoco Medical Division has begun an effort, as required by the regula tion. to update Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for all Conoco prod ucts and generate new ones where needed. An MSDS is a technical bulle tin which contains information about a product, such as chemical and physi cal characteristics, health and safety data, and precautions for safe handling and use. A corporate review commit tee has been formed to utilize expertise in various areas. This committee in cludes the Operating Department pro ducing the product. Safety Division. Legal Department, Transportation De partment. Environmental Conserva tion. and the Medical Division. There are approximately 400 Conoco product MSDSs that must be reviewed or generated before November 25. 1985. After this date, MSDSs muM he sent either prior to. or at the time oi initial shipment, of each Conoco pn uct which is considered hazardous Conoco will be providing MSDS' i>*r all its products. An effort will alt> >v made to generate MSDSs for jM >> termediate streams and make the** available for employee training p. to May 1986. The distribution for all MSI)'" being coordinated by the Medu 1 vision in Ponca City. Any reque-1 Conoco MSDSs should be " M. A. Chance, Medical Di" Ponca. CANCER UPDATES EPA Cautions the Use of An Amine Salt in Metal-Working Fluids Conoco manufactures several types of metal-working fluids. On June 14. EPA banned the mixing of any nitrosating agents, such as nitrites, with a new chemical which was a triethanolamine salt. This amine was to be used in metal working fluids. A company had notified the EPA of impending commercializa tion of this new product. Amines can be nitrosated to form carcinogenic nitrosamines, and in past years this reaction has occurred in metal-working fluids (i.e., cutting fluids). Cancer Genes in Normal Cells Scientists have recently discovered that normal cells contain cancer genes (oncogenes) that are usually inactive but can be activated to cause cancer. These oncogenes can be stimulated by factors such as viruses or chemicals. Future research will attempt to discov er how oncogenes influence the cancerous process. This research should help explain why the body does not control the growth of cancer cells and. thereby, allow scientists to design better cancer therapeutics or even pre vent cancer. Carcinogenicity of Petroleum Distillates Used as Lubricants Mouse skin-painting studies conducted by the American Petroleum Institute and Amoco have shown that norma! solvent refining (phenol. N-methylpyrrolidone. furfural, etc.), severe hydroprocessing (3000 psi hydrogenation), or moderate solvent refining followed by mild hydro processing eliminate carcinogenic activ ity of petroleum lubricant base stocks. Note that the common use in refining with the solvent, methyl ethyl ketone. MEK., removes only parafflnics and not the carcinogenic polynuclear aromatics. HEALTH HAZARDS Risk Assessment of Health Hazards William Ruckelshaus. EPA Administrator, recently stated that EPA needs to strengthen their risk assessment capabilities. A series of risk assessment guide lines for various health effects are being prepared by EPA for release this year. The guidelines can be used as a part of risk management to control health hazards like cancer, reproductive toxicity, etc. Hopefully, this information can be used by industry and government to better educate employees and the public about control of health hazards. However, it is important to remember that we do not live in a risk-free society and that health regulations should be analyzed for benefits and costs. The fact that society is not risk-free was emphasized by Dr. Bruce Ames, a renowned scientist who prepared a review article summarizing the many carci nogens and anticarcinogens found at low concentrations in natural foods, Du Pont health professionals have recently decided to evaluate their effectiveness in responding to regulatory initiatives that rely on quantitative risk assessment (QRA) of health risks posed by exposure to chemicals (i.e.. carcinogens, repro ductive toxins, etc.). The company's plans are two-fold: (1) facilitate coordina tion among various disciplines pertaining to QRA and (2) encourage research that will reduce some of the scientific uncertainty of QRA. A recommendation has been made that a permanent committee be formed, on which Conoco would be represented, to facilitate interdepartmental coordination on QRA issues. OSHA's New Asbestos Standard OSHA has proposed a new asbestos standard of 0.5 or 0.2 fibers per cubic centimeter of air (current standard, 2 fibers per cubic centimeters). Public hearings are in progress, and a final standard is due by July 1985. Regard less, EPA plans to ban all uses of asbestos in the U.S. over the next 10 years. LANDSCAPE WORKERS Groundskeeping personnel work with many chemicals (insecticides, herbi cides, fungicides, etc.) and noiseproducing equipment that can be poten tial health hazards. Product warning labels should be consulted. Health pro fessionals within the Medical Division can provide assistance concerning these potential health hazards. Revised Drinking Water Standard The EPA proposed, as of October 5. 1983, new drinking water standard to* selected chemicals, microbial cor. taminatio-n, and radionuclides Acceptable contaminant levels are set by considering potential health effect or esthetic values. Safety factors of 10,000 or 1,000 are applied, depend ing on whether the most pertinent data involves limited versus valid human and animal data (WDB). Sensitization--A Safe Dose? Sensitization is an allergic rcspinv such as some people experience '< lowing a bee sting or exposure t.pru cillin, nickel, chromium, tin dehyde, etc. The response is occur at extremely low e'p* levels, but recent animal stuu*' * isocyanates (polyurethane component) showed that. (* -nr time, a no-effect level exiM* # mal or inhalation sensitizai*** minimizing exposures to km tizers may prevent allergn * tion responses. MCD 000017931 CANCER UPDATES 'ientific Review of Carcinogenic Principles Scientists of U.S. federal agencies have released a draft document (Federal Register, 5-22-84) that reviews current understanding of cancer and how to interpret data from animal or human studies. The following principles were published for the purpose of obtaining public comments, by 8-1-84, as follows: Cancer is a multistage phenomenon that can be influenced by age. diet, hormones, species specificity, tissue damage (sun bum, alcoholism, etc.), and saturation of detoxification or genetic-repair processes. Short-term, test-tube genetic tests can be used to predict carcinogenic activity seen in animals (but the correlation is not more than 70-80 percent). Animal carcinogens are considered ``suspect" human carcinogens. It is appropriate to use high doses in animal studies to avoid false negative responses and achieve adequate biological and statistical interpretations. Significance of a carcinogenic response in animals is influenced by factors such as reproducibility, dose response, multiple sites of tumors, etc. Epidemiology (human) data is the only direct method to assess carcinogenic risk in man. Exposure data in animals and humans is important. Assessment of human risk depends on the strength of the carcinogenic data, exposure data, human susceptibility, etc. erall, this draft document points out the difficult task of evaluating carcinogenic hazards and the degree to which controls or regulations are needed. SILICA, SILICOSIS, AND CANCER Silica is a crystalline fiber and may represent a potential health hazard similar to asbestos. For this reason, a symposium was recently held on possible health effects of silica. Sever al industry epidemiology studies indi cate that high silica exposures may be associated with lung cancer while there is a stronger correlation with the lung disease, silicosis. Some animal studies have shown that high silica ex posures are carcinogenic; in these studies, silica was injected into the lungs or abdomen of mice or rats at concentrations which were several hundred times the normal worker ex posure level. The conclusion reached at the symposium was that current 'imment silica exposure standards .mize respiratory disease or lung cancer that might be caused from ex posures to silica. Silicosis was a recent news item in the Job Safety and Health Report (7-2484. p. 120). The article notes that the Cook County medical examiner ruled the death of a worker, who suffered silicosis after working at the Illinois Brick Company, to be a homicide. The Cook County state's attorney, Richard J. Daley. Jr., will decide whether or not to prosecute the case. According to the county deputy medical examiner. Robert H. Kirschner, the company, which went out of business in 1981, violated EPA regulations for safe handling of silica and did not provide workers with protection from silica dust. Another death and 11 cases of silicosis have occurred among former workers. Another lawsuit involves a former Amoco refinery worker who has lung cancer and has filed a S6 million sun against nine companies that manufac tured or distributed asbestos The worker had been employed for ^ years as an insulator, and he claims it* asbestos products were defective arnl unreasonably dangerous. Health Study of Petroleum Workers Chevron recently reported that epidemiology studies at two faoino involving 14,179 employees sh^rsj no work-related health etu.However, for employees hired po 1948, there was a slight increased dence of lymphatic cancers, arw * ' will be further evaluated in a fol study. TOXIC TIDBITS Toxicologists Receive Prison Sentences In April, three former toxicologists of IBT Laboratories near Chicago were given 6- to 12-month prison sentences by a Chicago federal court for falsify ing laboratory test data. IBT was a highly regarded toxicology contract laboratory in earlier years, and this in cident caused federal regulations to be promulgated which describe how tox icology studies should be conducted and managed. Corporate Toxicology Inquiry It is important that industrial health hazards be addressed through a pro gram that adequately identifies, evalu ates. controls, and thereby minimizes the hazards. In this regard, please notify W. D. Broddle. Corporate Tox icologist, Medical Division, of any toxicity issues that should be ad dressed. A timely response will be pre pared after the matter is thoroughly researched. ZDDP and Testicular Toxicity In 1980. rabbit dermal studies showed that the much-used lubricant additive zinc dithio-diphosphate (ZDDP) caused testicular toxicity. Follow-up studies have shown this effect only occurs at concentrations of ZDDP that cause skin irritation; the skin irritation apparently reduces appetite and the subsequent weight loss could cause stress and hormonal changes that adversely affect the testis. * Potential Toxicity of Antifreeze Union Carbide recently reported that in studies with pregnant mice and rats, high oral doses of ethylene glycol caused maternal toxicity (except the low-dose group of mice) and mal formed newborn. Further studies will investigate whether the reproductive toxicity can occur at nonmatemal toxic doses. The opinions, findings, and conclu sions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Conoco but of the authors for each article. Contributing authors include: W. D. Broddle, Ph.D. M. A. Chance S. Mukheijee O. D. Steffey, Ph.D. Newsletter Binders Three-ring binders can be made avail able to file copies of the "Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology Newslet ter. 1 ' If you would like a binder, either call Mary Ann Chance on ETN 442- 2140 or 405-767-2140 or mark the appropriate box on the form below and return it with your mailing label to the address listed on the form. M CONOCO MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND TOXICOLOGY NEWS MAILING LIST If there are individuals in your department who would like to receive this newsletter on a regular basis, please list their names and return this form to: Mary Ann Chance Conoco Inc.--Medical Division M120 South Tower Ponca City, OK 74603 Please correct my address as shown below. Please remove my name from the mailing list. Please add the following names to the mailing list. Please send a newsletter binder. Name/Department Address e INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE Jc TOXICOLOGY NEWS CONOCO MEDICAL April 1985 Volume 3. Number l Unleaded Gasoline Vapors Receni animal studies funded by the American Petroleum Institute showed that two years of 8-hour a day expo sure to unleaded gasoline vapors caused tissue damage and/or tumors of the kidney and mammary gland. The kidney effects were only seen in male rats and may reflect unusual sen sitivity to hydrocarbons since these effects are not seen in several other species of animals or even humans. Later studies indicate that the male rat kidney has a greater tendency to accumulate hydrocarbons compared to other animal species. In spite of this data, the Environmental Protection Agency and its Scientific Advisory Board have concluded that vaporized unleaded gasoline should be classified as "PROBABLY CARCI NOGENIC." This reflects the con servative nature of a regulatory agency. The American Petroleum Institute is conducting a thorough research pro gram to fully assess the potential health effects of gasoline. Results so far indicate that the more volatile frac tion of gasoline does not cause kidney damage in the male rat (the above 2year study involved totally vaporized gasoline). This issue on gasoline is a good exam ple of how the petroleum industry rives to assess and control toxic operties of its products. The Amer ican Petroleum Institute is supporting the following activities related to motor fuel distillates: A contractor is performing a health risk analysis for gasoline. Public exposure to gasoline vapors is being evaluated. Prevention of this exposure by vapor recovery systems for automobiles and/or gasoline pumps is also being studied. An epidemiology study of petroleum workers is also planned. A workshop will be held on October 14-16 to discuss neurobehavioral effects of hydrocarbons. Collection Of Data For Occupational Illnesses The American Petroleum Institute (API) is reviewing federal and state developments for reporting occupa tional illness. For example, OSHA maintains a program dealing with occupational injury and illness, while EPA enforces a law that requires in dustry to record and inform EPA of worker allegations involving adverse health effects. The state of New York is attempting to establish a carcinogen registry that would be used to review potential workplace hazards. Con gress recently allocated $500,000 so that OSHA could audit industry prac tices in recording occupational illnesses. API plans to assess and improve its efforts in tracking employee health. For example, how closely should in dustry monitor a worker's health after he terminates employment, retires, or is disabled. For sure, government and industry will continue their efforts to monitor and improve worker health surveillance programs. Petroleum Coke: Animal Studies The American Petroleum Institute issued a final report on petroleum coke inhalation studies in animals. Three groups of female and male rats and monkeys were exposed for two years (1981-1983) to micronized. delayedprocess petroleum coke dust at con centrations of 0. 10.2, or 30.7 mg/m' (6 hrs/day, 5 days/week). Petroleum coke dust caused no signifi cant toxic responses in monkeys but a low level inflammatory response was seen in the rats' lungs at 10.2 mg/m3 and benign nodules were observed in the lungs of some female rats at 30.7 mg/m3. Overall, these studies show petroleum coke dust to be a fairly inert material. Avoiding Overexposure To Hydrogen Sulfide A petroleum company recently observed that its workers were com plaining of headaches, dizziness, and other nervous system effects which were caused by a purchased additive used to manufacture lube oils and greases. The additive's container was found to have the toxic gas. hydrogen sulfide, in the "head space." and workers were exposed when opening the container. By understanding the source of the problem, workers easily avoided overexposure to hydrogen sulfide. It is important to note that manv lube oils and greases contain zinc dulk\l dithiophosphate (ZDDP) and this additive is capable of releasing 'mall amounts of hydrogen sulfide. Routine handling and use of these pn^iiKU should not cause overexposure to h\ drogen sulfide. MCD 000017934 Coal Pile Runoff A recent research article reported on simulated runoffs from "model" coal piles that were extracted with acid, methylene chloride, hexane, pet roleum ether, and sodium hydroxide. The extracts were then tested using cell culture techniques and shown to cause genetic and other types of cell damage. Several investigators have conducted similar studies with either simulated or real-life coal pile runoff and reported negative or slightly positive toxic effects for extracts of the runoff. However, one should be cautious in using these results to predict potential health hazards since: (a) solvent ex traction is not "real-world" and (b) the human body has protective repair mechanisms that prevent toxic mate rials from causing adverse health effects. Benzene/Workplace Regulation A draft document concerning occupa tional exposure to benzene has been prepared by OSHA and sent for review to the Office of Management and Budget. The document is 398 pages long and is OSHA's reply to the 1980 Supreme Court decision to overturn OSHA's Emergency Temporary Stan dard of 1 ppm as a time-weighted aver age. The draft proposal suggests lowering the current exposure limit of 10 ppm to an 8-hour time-weighted average of I ppm and a maximum short term exposure limit (STEL) of 5 ppm for no more than 15 minutes. It also proposes an action level of 0.5 ppm. Health Effects Of Attapulgite Attapulgite is a fibrous clay material and is sometimes used as a drilling fluid additive. Recent studies in rats show that inhalation or injection of attapulgite, as with asbestos, causes lung or abdominal cancer. Mining op erations involving attapulgite indicate that some mine workers have attapul gite fibers in their lungs and lung dam age is evident. Even though potential inhalation hazards are lessened when a fibrous material is in a wet media, as with a drilling mud, workers should avoid overexposure to attapulgite dust. --UPDATE-- Hazard Communication/ Material Safety Data Sheets Conoco is working to meet the No' 25, 1985 deadline for compliance wit. the Federal Hazard Communication Rule in regard to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), container labeling, and other aspects of the rule. Conoco has approximately 500 products for which MSDSs will be developed. Approximately one-third of these pro ducts have completed a corporate re view process that includes a new MSDS format. Approximately 80 per cent of the remaining products are cur rently being reviewed; all products will have been reviewed by the November 1985 deadline. After this date. Conoco and other manufacturing companies must provide MSDSs to customers upon their initial purchase and with the first purchase after the MSDS is updated. It is not required that MSDSs be provided to retail cus tomers. MSDSs will be developed for all Conoco process streams by May 25, 1985. Conoco Medical is develop ing an automated procedure to gener ate MSDSs and to maintain records o*' the distribution. MOD 000017935 CONOCO MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND TOXICOLOGY NEWS MAILING LIST If there are individuals in your department who would like to receive this newsletter on a regular basis, please list their names and return this form to: Mary Ann Chance Conoco Inc. -- Medical Division Ml20 South Tower Ponca City, OK 74603 Please correct my address as shown below. Please remove my name from the mailing list. Please add the following names to the mailing list. Please send a newsletter binder. Name/Department Address TOXICOLOGY & HAZARD COMMUNICATION NEWS CONOCO MEDICAL January 1986 Volume 4, Number 1 Unleaded Gasoline Vapors: New Research Information Several articles have appeared in this newsletter concerning recent animal studies funded by the American Petro leum Institute. These studies showed that male rats developed kidney dam age and kidney tumors after being ex posed for two years (6 hours a day) to vaporized unleaded gasoline. API has committed over four million dollars to conduct further studies aimed at determining whether un leaded gasoline is a significant health hazard. Preliminary results from these new studies indicate that un laded gasoline vapors are not a sig nificant health hazard: these results are as follows: Kidney toxicity is only seen in male but not female rats. Test results show that male rats have a blood protein, not found in humans, which binds paraffinic hydrocarbons; this com plex seems to become concentrated in the kidney and eventually causes damage and kidney tumors. Future research will determine if humans have blood proteins that bind paraf finic hydrocarbons. The kidney toxicity in male rats is not caused by the more volatile gasoline hydrocarbons that account for most human exposure. Studies of health records for pet rochemical workers have not shown a significant increased incidence for kidney disease or kidney cancer. tat studies which showed kidney toxicity involved exaggerated expo sures to unleaded gasoline vapors; i.e., 70-2100 parts per million (ppm) concentration for six hours a day. The most common exposure for the general public is at a service station and the exposure is for only five to ten minutes at concentrations below 10 ppm. Refinery worker exposures average less than 30 ppm. This con centration can be compared to the OSHA regulatory standard of 500 ppm for petroleum distillates or the 300 ppm workplace guideline for gasoline as set by the American Con ference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, ACGIH. Mineral Oils: Composition and Skin Cancer For many years, oil companies have tried to determine if there is a correla tion between the composition of mineral oils (i.e., lubricating oil) and the potential to cause skin cancer in animal skin painting studies. A Euro pean research association, CONCAWE, evaluated data from skin painting studies involving 76 oils; de gree of skin painting carcinogenicity was compared to several composition al and physical characteristics (percent of aromatic carbon, refractive index of a dimethylsulfoxide extract, indi vidual concentration of six polynucle ar aromatics, specific gravity, sulfur content, and viscosity). The main finding of the study was that no single analytical parameter was found to be a reliable predictor of skin carcinogenic activity in ani mals. Thus, while several polynuclear aromatics, PNAs, are highly carci nogenic in animal skin painting stu dies, prediction of human cancer risk cannot be made from simple knowl edge of PNA content. Several types of hydrocarbons, including PNAs, are known to be initiators, accelerators, or inhibitors of the carcinogenic process based on animal skin painting studies. Similar conclusions were reached by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 1973. Therefore, predict ing skin carcinogenic potential of an organic material is not easy since materials containing PNAs may or may not represent a potential health hazard. Benzene Litigation Observers called it a landmark deci sion when a Minnesota administrative law judge ruled on April 22 that Min nesota must pay $113,000 to families of two highway workers exposed to benzene while working. Workplace exposures to benzene were alleged to be from products like asphalts, kerosene, and gasoline; gasoline was used to clean the worker's clothes while at work. Both workers died of chronic myelogenous leukemia. Chronic benzene overexposure is re ported to cause leukemia but the prev alent type of leukemia is acute, not chronic myelogenous leukemia. Punitive damages were not awarded since the evidence did not uphold the plaintiffs' claim that the Minnesota transportation department had con cealed information. It is not known whether the case will be appealed to a higher court. Regardless, the ruling in favor of the plaintiffs could have sig nificance for industries that have ben zene in the workplace. Ceramic Fibers A recent publication by Babcock Wilcox Corporation states that ceram ic fibers may pose a health hazard Ceramic fibers are amorphous, alumi num silicate products made in*m synthetic or naturally occurring Oas (Continued) MCI) 000017336 Ceramic Fibers (Continued From First Page) These types of fibers have been manu factured for 25-30 years and are used in many household and industrial products (gaskets, insulators, etc.). Animal inhalation studies have shown that repeated exposure to high concen trations (95-200 fibers/cc) of ceramic fibers can cause lung damage and tumors. The use of products contain ing ceramic fibers may form cristobalite. a form of silica, which can cause lung disease if repeated overexposure occurs. In the future, industry will fund studies to evaluate employees who have worked in an industry using ceramic fibers to produce a product. Health-effects related to workplace exposures will be examined; the re sults from these studies will be avail able in 3-5 years. Until more is known about the possible health effects of ceramic fibers, one should be cautious when using pro ducts made of this material. Ceramic fibers are not presently regulated by any regulatory agency. However, proper ventilation and protective de vices should be used to prevent over exposure to the eyes, skin, or lungs. Further questions on this matter should be directed to Medical or Safety and Industrial Hygiene personnel; a book let prepared by Babcock & Wilcox is available upon request. MSDSs and Labeling Issues As the deadline of May 1986 draws nearer for manufacturers to maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) in their workplaces for employees, re quests for sheets pertaining to Conoco products are increasing. The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard which was passed in November of 1983, specified that by November 25. 1985, the manufacturing industry must have developed an MSDS on each hazardous product manufac tured. The MSDS must include data on health and physical hazards, emergen cy and first aid. transportation, stor age, safety, and environmental in formation. Conoco developed approx imately 400 MSDSs covering over 600 manufactured products. This effort in volved a corporate MSDS Review Committee consisting of personnel from Medical, Transportation, Safety & Industrial Hygiene, Marketing Technical Services. Refining Techni cal Services. Environmental Con servation. Legal, and each department which manufactured the product. As of mid-October. Conoco started distributing these MSDSs through an automated procedure to all customers upon their first purchase of the prod uct. After an MSDS is revised, a new MSDS will then be provided to each customer upon their next purchase. Procedures have been developed to re view and update all sheets every two years. As of December 31, over 33,000 sheets had been distributed to approximately 10.000 customers. That number increases as daily sales are processed. Another effect of the Standard is that labels for all Conoco products which are considered poten tially hazardous by OSHA have been revised and placed on product contain ers. Labeling requirements are also specified by OSHA for bulk shipments made in rail and tank cars. Labels have been developed for all affected Conoco products. Requests for more information on Conoco MSDSs should be made t Mary Ann Chance in Ponca Citv o. ETN 442-6000 or 405-767-6000' F XN- | o oo oo C<O0 Oo F k Xo ac U*J cu J cx oc OF CE O xaw *o-* oz \ * 111 F *{/) (J) TOXICOLOGY & HAZARD COMMUNICATION NEWS If there are corrections or additions to the newsletter mailing list, please return ihi' form to; W. D. Broddle Conoco Inc. -- Medical Division PI40 South Tower Ponca City, OK. 74603 Please correct my address as shown below. Please remove my name from the mailing list. Please remove the following names from the mailing list. Please add the following names to the mailing list. Please send a newsletter binder. CO Oj Name/Department --1 c o o Address rC>i S -f**yft*-***-' `r* TOXICOLOGY & HAZARD COMMUNICATION NEWS CONOCO MEDIC&L July 1986 . si.. Volume 4, Number 2 Hazard Communication Issues In May, Conoco received its first Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection for compliance with the Hazard Com munication Standard, which was effective November 25. 1985. The in spector reviewed Conoco's system in volving Material Safety Data Sheets, labels, and the Hazard Determination procedure used to decide whether manufactured products are considered hazardous according to OSHA's criteria. An on-site inspection of the Compounding and Packaging facility was also conducted. The inspection reulted in no violations or citations. Other elements of the Standard were effective May 25, 1986. These in cluded employee information and training, labeling of in-plant contain ers. maintenance of MSDSs, and de velopment of written compliance programs. Currently, the Standard only applies to Standard Industrial Classification Codes (SIC) 20-39, For Conoco, this includes Refining and Conoco Spe cialty Products Inc., but OSHA is planning to broaden the scope of the Standard. This could then affect other Conoco operating departments. Conoco has developed over 500 MSDSs on manufactured products, additives, and intermediates. MSDSs are distributed to Conoco customers through an automated system follow ing the first purchase of a Conoco -oduct and, thereafter, when an ISDS is revised. Approximately 53.000 MSDSs were distributed to 20.000 customers between November 1985 and June 1986. For further information concerning the Hazard Communication Program or Material Safety Data Sheets, contact Mary Ann Chance. Medical Division. Ponca City. Clarified Oil/New Toxicity Findings Results from a 90-day skin painting study on rats were recently reported by Mobil Oil. Clarified oil from FCC units caused liver damage and mor tality at doses as low as 8 mg/kg (approximately 0.1 drop per rat). Car- bazole derivatives, ' were found to be the major dermal pene trants and may constitute up to 20 per cent of the clarified oil. Carbazoles are potent carcinogens and liver toxins in animals. Clarified oil has a boiling range of 500-1000F and contains high concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, some of which are potent animal carcinogens. (MCP) and hexane. MCP is a major component of commercial hexane products, but there is inadequate in formation to characterize the toxicity of MCP. The proposal states that MCP should be tested for neurotoxicity, subchronic (90-day) toxicity, and inhalation/dermal pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion). Hexane is a known neurotoxin. Hexane would be studied for mutagenicity, subchronic toxicity, carcinogenicity. reproductive toxic ity. and pharmacokinetics. The poten tial costs are SO.4 MM and $3 MM for the MCP and hexane studies, respec tively. Presently, the testing costs would be shared by commercial hexane (>50 percent n-hexane and >5 percent MCP) producers, but the American Petroleum Institute is in teracting with EPA to determine which tests are justified and who must pay for the studies. Carcinogens in Food Products This new information should not ne cessitate a change in workplace prac tices or engineering designs since Conoco operations minimize potential exposure. However, the new informa tion should be included in future em ployee training courses. The Conoco Material Safety Data Sheet for Conoco Clarified Oil. and for any Conoco product containing significant amounts of clarified oil, will be mod ified to contain this new toxicity in formation dealing with carbazoles. Proposed Toxicity Testing By EPA The EPA, using Section 4 of the Toxic Substances Control Act, is proposing animal testing for two petroleum hy drocarbons, methylcyclopentane The Food and Drug Administration has proposed procedures that would allow food-producing animals to be given low concentrations of com pounds which are carcinogenic in laboratory studies (Federal Register. October 31. 1985). The procedures would implement jn exemption to the Delaney clause h\ permitting the use of carcinogenic compounds (feed additives, \etennurs products, etc.) in food-produt. ing animals if "no residue" can he turki in edible tissues (milk, meal. cco. etc.). Under the proposal, "no rv'iOue would be operationally defined j' nn residue that would yield a ^ lifetime cancer risk of less ihun -h- n a million. MCI) 0r)l 017938 Black Lung Disease Coal companies have been successful in making mines a safer place to work. However, black lung disease con tinues to be a problem for industry. A researcher at West Virginia University reports a study showing that highly reactive free radicals may be one cause of black lung. Free radicals can cause tissue damage. Breaking and crushing coal produces free radicals, but their concentration drops swiftly within 5 minutes after the coal is mined. This may partially explain why black lung is difficult to produce in laboratory animal studies. Lung tissue from de ceased coal miners shows a direct cor relation between the severity of black lung and concentration of free radicals in the tissue. The study may also ex plain why anthracite miners have a greater risk of black lung since mining of anthracite coal produces more free radicals than bituminous coal. More research is needed to determine the relationship between black lung and free radicals. But regardless, the coal industry continues to improve working conditions in the mines. The fact that free radicals, produced during coal mining operations, are short-lived offers additional hope that black lung disease can be minimized. Aquatic Toxicity of Petrochemical Industry Effluents Wastewater effluent from the largest Scandinavian petrochemical complex was recently tested for aquatic toxicity using rainbow trout, water fleas, and bacteria. These tests indicate that the petrochemical effluent did not repre sent an ecological hazard. The effluent was not toxic to the trout nor mutagenic to the bacteria. The water flea was not adversely affected by 2 percent effluent concentration, but 3 percent effluent decreased reproduc tion rate of the fleas. This latter con centration was much higher than effluent released from the plant site, so the effluent would not be expected to affect reproduction of water fleas under normal operating conditions. Asbestos/EPA Phaseout Asbestos is a known animal and hu man carcinogen. An EPA propos?' was published January 29. 198(. which would eventually phase out the mining, manufacturing, and importa tion of all asbestos products. Three alternatives would make the phaseout either immediate or gradual over a 5to 10-year period. Public hearings were to begin this summer. 05 N0c.5o "-t O o TOXICOLOGY & HAZARD COMMUNICATION NEWS If there are corrections or additions to the newsletter mailing list, please return this form to: W. D. Broddle Conoco Inc. -- Medical Division P140 South Tower Ponca City, OK 74603 Please correct my address as shown below. Please remove my name from the mailing list. Please remove the following names from the mailing list. Please add the following names to the mailing list. Please send a newsletter binder. Name/Department Address TOXICOLOGY & HAZARD COMMUNICATION NEWS January 1987 Volume 5, Number 1 Hazard Communication A Busy World The acronym MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet and is becoming a busy buzz word. The preparation of the MSDS is required by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard,which also requires MSDSs to be sent to all cus tomers upon the first purchase of a product and whenever the MSDS is updated. The chart below shows the distribu tion of MSDSs usually decreased as a company's customers receive the initial MSDS, even though monthly sales aver aged approximately 38,000. Conoco is complying with this federal requirement by the daily distribution of MSDSs on an automated basis, which distributes MDSDs for product sales and telephone/letter requests. The year 1986 has been busy; a total of 30,346 MSDSs were distributed to 14,712 customers. This number resulted from processing 452,411 product sales and providing 13,854 MSDSs for telephone and letter re- pests. A total of 180,516 customer records were verified momputer to determine whether the customer required an DS. Produced by infonrmon Proemsing--Ponca City How to Develop an MSDS A corporate procedure has been established for develop ment of MSDSs for all products, intermediates, and addi tives manufactured by Conoco. This procedure involved the development of a Corporate MSDS Review Committee which was established to review and provide input to perti nent sections of the MSDS. The committee has been essen tial to the development of 538 MSDSs currently being distributed to customers. These MSDSs are also used by various operating departments in training programs. In 1987, a three-year company process will begin for review ing all current MSDSs. The cooperation of the Corporate MSDS Review Commit tee has been outstanding and is greatly appreciated. Their input and support was essential in making Conoco MSDSs a quality product. Our appreciation goes out to the following Conoco groups who assist with the MSDS Review Process; Conoco Specialty Products, Inc. Continental Pipe Line Corporate Safety and Industrial Hygiene Environmental Conservation Legal Manufacturing Technology and Engineering Marketing and Marketing Technical Services Medical Division, Houston Medical Division, Ponca City Natural Gas Products North American Refining Research and Development Surface Transportation Safety & Environmental Affairs Toxicology The development of an MSDS can be initiated by coma*, t ing Mary Ann Chance, Coordinator, Hazard Communu j tion Program, Ponca City. Medical Division mainum* j corporate record of all customers/persons receive.: MSDSs; therefore, all requests for distribution of Msiin. should be routed through Ms. Chance's office (4n* 6000; ETN 442-6000). OOOO 7^40 WCI> Ever-Changing/Ever-Challenging Issue: "Right-to-Know" All manufacturers should be complying with the Federal Hazard Communication Standard which requires, among other things, development and distribution of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), hazard warning labels, and training programs. While the standard was passed in November 1983 and became effective in November 1985, industry continues to struggle with compliance, partly be cause of inconsistent interpretations coming from enforce ment of the standard. To further complicate this issue, in September, the U.S. Court of Appeals concluded that the Federal Hazard Com munication Standard did not preempt Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know law for the manufacturing industry. This ruling may encourage other states to enact laws with provi sions different from the federal rule. One of the main differences between the federal and Pennsylvania laws con cerns product labeling. Pennsylvania requires the listing of nonhazardous ingredients on MSDSs if the concentration is 3 percent or more and special hazardous ingredients at concentrations of 0.01 percent or more. The labels must list the five major nonhazardous ingredients or any ingredient present in the mixture at 5 percent or greater. Labels must be placed on products shipped into or through the state. Industry appealed this case to the U.S. Supreme Court, so manufacturers do not have to comply until a decision is issued. Forty-two states have Right-to-Know laws. An abundance of communities also have Right-to-Know laws which are not preempted by the federal program. The map below designates states with Right-to-Know laws and the number of Conoco employees per state. STATES WITH RINGOtHfCKTK-RT30O, )-K#NOW STATUTES Presently, industry is faced with a new challenge becau**'"^ the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act o. 1986 (SARA) was passed on October 17. 1986. Emergen cy Planning and Community Right-to-Know provisions-- known as Title III -- present a variety of issues to industry, Provisions include reporting requirements covering pro duction and emission of certain substances. A list of over 400 "extremely hazardous substances," along with reportable quantities, are included. The Title III Amendment does not have preemption over state and community Right-toKnow laws. Thus, compliance with Title III does not necessarily mean you are in compliance with OSHA (Occu pational Safety and Health Administration), state, or local regulations. SARA also requires OSHA to issue a standard for hazard ous waste workers by October 1987. An interim final rule was issued and became effective December 19, 1986; requirements include training, medical surveillance, pro tective equipment, monitoring, waste handling, and emergency response procedures. Compliance issues continue to grow for Conoco and the rest of the petroleum industry. The issues are really evet^^j changing' and `ever-challenging.' ^ Hazard Communication-- Who Is Complying? Did you ever wonder if all companies were complying with government regulations? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Hazard Communication Standard requires significant compliance by manufacturers. A recent survey of nearly 100 manufacturers in the area around Albany, New York, found that 56 percent of the companies were unfamiliar with the Standard. The survey also showed that 80 percent of the same manufacturers were contused about the differences between the federal standard and New York's Right-to-Know law. When all the manufacturers were asked about major re quirements of the federal standard, 44 percent 'aid they were not using Material Safety Data Sheets, 56 percent had not established labeling programs, 61 percent were not training their employees about toxic subsume* and 75 percent did not have a hazard communication pr irranp* It should be noted that 91 of the 94 manufacture ** W. panies responding to the survey had fewer ihjn ployees. MCD 000017941 Uniformity: A Problem in Enforcing the Hazard ^Nmmunication Standard The enforcement of the Hazard Communication Standard is troublesome to both OSHA and industry. One reason is that the standard is performance-oriented; OSHA sets goals for industry but does not specify exactly how to reach them. In other words. OSHA has not outlined the steps a manufac turer must take to comply and distinctions between com pliance and noncompliance can be "very subtle.'' OSHA's enforcement also can vary with each inspector. OSHA has 1.150 compliance officers who have issued 6.123 citations and $58,000 penalties for violations of the Hazard Communication Standard between November 25, 1985. and December 1986. Of these, 74 percent fell into ten categories (in order of most to least prevalent): No written hazard communication program No information on training No MSDSs Missing information on MSDSs No labeling identification (in-plant) "incorrect label warning (in-plant) No written procedures for hazard determination No label for shipped containers MSDSs not maintained nor accessible to employees Incorrect label warnings for shipping containers MSDSs lacked required information. OSHA reported that 1.379 citations have been issued for no written hazard communication programs, 1,039 for no in formation and training, and 641 for no MSDSs. There were 310 citations for "serious violations," and only 1 willful citation. According to OSHA, 38 days is the average time to correct the problems. Only 132 of the penalties were contested. Conoco had two OSHA Hazard Communication Standard compliance inspections. The inspections involved the Pon ca City Medical Division and the Billings, Montana, Refin ery. During the inspection at Ponca City, 58 Conoco MSDSs were taken for a complete review by OSHA; no citations were issued. Following the Billings Refinery in spection. 22 citations were issued regarding 5 MSDSs and ' corresponding labels. Conoco will contest 12 of these dons and modify the MSDSs and labels for the remain ing 10. Phenol--A Toxic Chemical Phenol is a corrosive liquid, and its rapid absorption can cause serious internal organ damage and death. Recently, a summer student employee of a petrochemical company in Texas was accidentally sprayed with phenol. Although rescue workers washed most of the chemical from his body within minutes after the accident, he suffered convulsions and died a few hours later. The victim's parents sued the petrochemical company with failure to take reasonable precautions to prevent the accidental release of phenol, failure to post proper warnings about the chemical's dangers, and failure to instruct em ployees of proper emergency procedures. The parents won a $2 million settlement. Occupational Disorders The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has begun to develop strategy to minimize what they consider to be the ten leading occupational disorders. These disorders are lung disease, musculoskeletal injuries, cancer, severe trauma, cardiovascular disease, reproduc tive disorders, neurotoxicity, hearing loss, and skin and psychological disorders. NIOSH believes more emphasis should be put on premarket product testing, worker health, and safety programs. American Petroleum Institute Update The API Toxicology Committee will evaluate the relative health hazards of petroleum pollutants most commonly found in a refinery or at waste disposal sites. Air emis sions from land farming sites will also be evaluated API plans to prepare a white paper explaining quantita tive risk assessment. Industry pollutants and their health effects (organ damage, cancer, etc.) will be compared to "real-world" health risks, such as lightning, car and home accidents, etc. EPA, as dictated by the Safe Drinking Water Act. i' setting recommended maximum concentration lew!' RCMLs, for water pollutants. EPA proposes to 'd RCML of zero for known human carcinogens n v benzene); API will try to convince EPA to set aquann?' able concentration that does not present a signiiK r * health risk. MCD 000017942  High exposure to benzene represents a potential health hazard, and API has responded to several state regula tions aimed at minimizing exposure to benzene, as fol lows: Florida recently adopted a L-ppb groundwater limit for benzene. API argued that a 10- to 100-ppb limit would adequately protect human health. Costs would be pro hibitive for cleaning groundwater to a level of <1 ppb. Interestingly, nonwater sources account for >99 percent of benzene exposure (workplace, 1000 ppb; urban air. food, and cigarettes, 1000 to 3000 ppb). California proposes to reduce airborne benzene concen trations 50 percent by the year 2000 (3 ppb down to 1.5 ppb). This may require the reduction of benzene in gasoline from the present 2 to 5 percent to less than 1.4 percent. Hydrocarbon emissions at service stations also may have to be further reduced. New York is proposing a l-ppb limit for benzene in surface water. API has given $250,000 to the Chemical Industry Insti tute of Toxicology (CIIT) to better define mechanisms of toxicity for benzene. Health Hazard Review of Refinery Products: Two international organizations, 1ARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) and CONCAVE (Europe's counterpart to API), have intensified their ac tivities involving refinery streams. IARC plans to publish a document in 1988 which discusses the relative carcino genic properties of crude oil and motor or heating fuels. CONCAWE will initiate, in January, mouse skin paint ing studies to evaluate refinery middle distillates (gaso line, diesel fuels, etc.) for their ability to cause organ damage or skin tumors. Miscellaneous Issues: API continues to prepare forEPA Test Rules concerning CQ aromatics (i.e., ethyl toluene, etc.) and hexane/ methylcyclopentane. Each toxicity testing program will cost Sl-$3 million. Neurotoxicity and reproductive effects are starting to rival cancer as the dominant health concern for Congress, regulators, and industry. The National Institute for Occu pational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Scandinavian health agencies are proponents of this issue. Workplace exposures, waste disposal, and product labeling may ^ impacted. H TOXICOLOGY & HAZARD COMMUNICATION NEWS If there are corrections or additions to the newsletter mailing list, please return this form to; W. D. Broddle Conoco Inc. -- Medical Division PI40 South Tower Ponca City, OK 74603 Please correct my address as shown below. Please remove my name from the mailing list. Please remove the following names from the mailing list. Please add the following names to the mailing list. Or Jrh ^ ^^3 Name/Department Address