Document ppGZzZzBVpMwr1dQRx7pmZ1R7

FILE NAME: Asbestos Sacks and Bags (ASB) DATE: 1972 DOC#: ASB096 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: NIOSH Report - Asbestos - Burlap Bags root g -ASBESTOS - BURLAP BAGS Report Prepared By: Ftoy M. FI erana . ' Division National Envlrbnir.entai Invest!nations Branch ^ _ of Field Studies and'Clinical investTflations Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ' 1014 Broadway .' Cincinnati. Ohio 45202 00013 . ASBESTOS - BURLAP BAGS Concern over the use of burlap bags for wrapping the bases of rose bushes has arisen because the bags were initially used as containers for amosite asbestos. To determine a possible exposure of asbestos fibers to workers v.ho use these burlap bags, 3 test, simulating the ' handling of the bags, was conducted in an enclosed room. For a four minute* sample, the average asbestos concentration of fibers greeter than five microns in length in the worker's breathing 20ne was 490 fibers per milliliter. Samples taken within two fret of the worker at heights of 6 inches, 33 inches, end 60 inches yielded con centrations of 500, 350, and 470 fibers per milliliter, respectively. Conditions of the test ' . One burlap beg was used in The test. It was taken from The middle of a stack of b3gs at the Eikner Nursery in Tyler, Texas, sealed in a plastic bag, and flown to Cincinnati, Ohio. The burlap bag was kept in the p'lastic'bag until the actus! test. To achieve possibly the worst exposure," the test was conducted in a small room (4' x 6 1 x S ') which has no ventilation, the burlap bag was turned inside out before shaking, and the bag was shaken vigorously for 60 seconds. The four minute sampi in.q time was determined from renersai of the procedure for wrapping a bush, however, the worker could probably wrap one bush in half that time if he worked quickly.' . Procedure . ' The test room was vacuumed and the equipment was set up as in Figures 1 and 2. Two four minute samples were taken at locations 1 and 2 befere the Test. These filters ware chanced, and the burlap bag was placed In front of the chair stilt in its plastic container. Five minutes later The worker's personal pumps were turned on just as he entered the room. Wearing a respirator, the worker turned on pumps I, -2, and 3 and Then sat in the chair. He took the burlap ba.q out of the plastic baa and Turned the burlap bag Insi de out.. Standing, he shook the bag for 60 seconds and then sat down, spreading the burlap bag on his lap. He then went throuch the motions of placina a rose bush on The bag and . wrapping The bag around the base of the bush.. After tying the corners with a wire, the worker placed the bush on the floor and stood up to brush off his clothes. He shut off pumps I, 2, and 3_ and left the room. His personal pumps were turned off as soon as he was outside the room. During the first three minutes after the test, the filters were Taken off the pumps, two filters were installed on pumps I and 2, and the burlap bag was sealed in the plastic bag. Two four minute samples were taken to measure airborne asbestos concentrations. The room was Then opened for cleaning and removal of equipment. 00014  Asbestos - Burlap Bag January 14, 1972 Page 2 . Data - collected and counted on January II, 1972 Before test: floor level chair level Five Minute Break During test: floor level cha ir level standing level Personal samples Total >5y 00..00 00 ..00 ** .458800 ` 355000 730 470 . 569400 547100 >10y 00..00 323700 150 ` 421600 Three Minute Break - After test: cfhlaoiorr. .ljeevveel1 328000 215300 18500 Equipment and supplies ' Test room - a 4'-0n x 5*-10" x 7 ,-7" enclosure with two sealed windows and a double door . Burlap hag - approximately 3 ' x 2* and lined with thin ' pIast ic Tripod - pump1 support Ring stand - pump support Fetal folding chair MSA portable pumps - Model G. part no. 456058 Mi 11ipore membrane fI Iters - AA, 0.8y pore size Comfo custom respirator Ultra filter cartridges - Part no. 86432 - Type "H", part no. 81051 0001 I I FRONT i . SIDE J 00017