Document qdRowR5JQzdE1L8aGpMQmn3ek

cd, the information does indicate "that both employers and employees should do everything poosible to minimise ex posures" to EDB. Medical examinations should be made available to employees on a preplacement basis and annually thereafter, the criteria document recommended. Medical records for employees exposed to EDB at or above the action level should be retained for at least 30 years after termination of employment NIOSH recommended the use of warning signs and labels alerting workers to the hazards of skin contact and inhala tion of EDB. as well as ihe chemical's classification as a "cancer suspect agent." Engineering control* should be used to keep EDB exposure levels below the recommended limit, the Institute added, with respirators used only: During the lime necessary to install or test the required engineering controls. For nooroutlne operations, such as emergency maintenance or repair activities. During emergencies when air concentrations of EDB may exceed the recommended exposure limit. . EDO Production Some 9,900 employees potentially art exposed to EDBi (hough the figure Increases to 660.000 if gasoline station attendants are included. NIOSH reported. About 86 percent of the EDB produced during the last tew years has beat used as a constituent of antiknock mixtures in gasoline. Other applications include use as a fumigant-insecticide or nomatocido, as a synthetic intermediate, and as a specialty solvent for resins, gums, and waxes. EDB site la known as ethylene bromide, dibromoethane, 1,2-dibromoethane, and glycol dibromide, NIOSH added. The text of the NIOSH recommendations for an EDB stan dard will appear in the Full Text section of a future Current Report. PCu | /' . NIOtH III COMMENDS LIMITS POR WORKPLACE EXPOSURE TO PCS* ' The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended that exposure to polychlorlneted biphenyls (PCBsl be controlled so that no worker is exposed to PCBs at a concentration greater than 1.0 microgram total PCBs per cubic meter of air. ' The NIOSH recommendations, which were issued in a criteria document, are for a time-weighted average concert-* trethut for up to a 10-hour workday, 40-hour workweek. Tim criteria document cited provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act which ban the manufacture, process ing, distribution, or use of PCBs in any but totally enclosed systems by October 1077. Although the Act calls for a ban on PCB manufacture and use in several yean, NIOSH noted that a potential for occupational exposure to PCBs will exist for many years from transportation, installation, use, and dtaposal of the substance. Medical surveillance, labeling amt posting, personal pro tective equipment, engineering controls, employee notifica tion, and work practice provisions are described in the rec ommendations. The NIOSH recommended standard for PCBs appears to the Full Text section of this Current Report OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY ft HEALTH RfKMTKH Crftorio Documents '' NIOSH RECOMMENDS WORK PRACTICES. ' CONTROLS FOR FLUOROCARBON POLYMERS ` * The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended that no specific limit be set lor worker ex posure to decomposition products of fluorocarbon polymers since no measurable environmental level of any single decomposition product can ensure "complete protection" of worker health. The institute, which made Us recommendations in a criteria document transmitted to the Department of Labor, noted that the major concern in occupational exposure to the substances is their potential for causing polymer fume fever and damage to the respiratory tract. IVIOSH's recommended standard emphasised that workers be protected through use of good work practices and engineering controls and medical management. The criteria document outlined suggested provisions fora standard including medical surveillance, labeling ` posting, work clothing and protective equipment, notification, and sanitation. The recommended standard for the decomposition products of fluorocarbon polymers appears in the Full Text section of this Current Report. General Policy ANNOUNCEMENT OF PROPOSSO 0CLCTI0M9 IN STANDARDS EXPECTED BEFORE DEC. 31 A proposal to delete certain safety standards hi 2f CFH 1910, known as the "Standards Deletion Project," should be published before the end of the year, officials of the Occupa tional Safety and Health Administration said November IB. A* draft document of (he general industry standards con taining the proposed revocations is in "final review" by Assistant Secretary of Labor Eula Bingham and the Depart ment of Labor Solicitor, OSHA safety standards personnel told a joint meeting with the American National Stondarto Institute. -Earlier, agency oflleMs had Indicated a November publication date for the proposal (Current Report, October 27, p. 757). In addition, a "suspension of enforcement** provision to accompany the Federal Register notice of proposal is no longer certain, the OSHA officials told the meeting. A list of sections proposed for deletion wilt prsesds a reprinting of (he text of the 1916 regulations. The parts to ho deleted will be shown in brackets, Pat Cattafesta. safety standards office, told the OSHA-ANSI coordinating coa* mittee. A preamble giving the reasons for the proposed deletions also will be included. Wendell Ctasier, safety standards office, reported that no economic impact statement would be required for the propoced action because it was determined there wooM ho no significant financial effects on employers. Other Safety Priorities In other safety standards matters, a revised set of rules lor walking-working surfaces (Subpart D) is scheduled te talively for proposal February 15, 1978, with a hearing to begin June 1. Frank Smith, OSHA safety standards, espial*ed that dates are tentative because scheduling of safety sta* C mmm.r? Occupational Sofaty & Health Ripetltr HONS 002594 I nrrwmmuTM""" miip 884 Appends, or on a similar form approved by the Oc cupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Depart ment of Labor. Section S -- Work Practices and Engineering Controls (a) A no-smoking rule shall be strictly enforced in all areas where there is occupational exposure to the decom position products of fluorocarbon polymers. As a further precaution, the carrying of smoking materials into such areas shall be prohibited. Employees shall be instructed to wash their hands before smoking. (b) In sintering or molding operations where the fluorocar bon polymer is heated above Us melting point, temperatures In excess of the manufacturers' recommended range should be avoided whenever possible. To prevent overheating, ovens shall be fitted with an automatic temperature cutout set at the manufacturers' recommended temperature for the fluorocarbon polymer. (c) W necessary to prevent accumulation or recirculation of the decomposition products of fluorocarbon polymers lit the workplace, ovens shall be fitted with a local exhaust ven tilation system. An appropriate alarm diall be incorporated Into any exhaust system in case of its failure. (d) Local exhaust ventilation, located as dose as possible to the operation, shall be used whenever welding, cutting,- or related high-temperature operations are performed. () Exhaust systems and ductwork shall be kept in good repair so that design airflows and pressures are maintained. Airflow and pressure should be measured at least twice a year. Continuous airflow indicators (oil or water manometers) are recommended. A log shall be kept showing design airflow or pressure and the results of periodic inspec tion. (f) Ventilation systems discharging to outside air must be designed to conform to applicable local, state, and federal OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH REPORTER air pollution regulations and must not constitute a board to employees or to the general population. (g) General Housekeeping (1) Spills of fluorocarbon polymers shall be cleaned up, preferably by vacuuming. Care shall be taken that polymer dust is not blown onto steampipes or other heated equip ment. (2) Emphasis shall be placed on prompt and frequent cleanup of dust to prevent accumulation of fluorocarbon polymers. (3) Equipment shall be maintained regularly, and necessary repairs shall be made promptly. (4) Fluorocarbon polymer scrap and waste shall be collected in special containers and. if not reused, shall be disposed of by high temperature incineration or by burying. Section 6 -- Sanitation (a) Smoking shall be prohibited in all areas where fluorocarbon polymers are handled and used, aod smoking materials shall not be carried into such areas. (b) The employer shall provide hand-washing facilities with soap and clean towels. Employees who work is fluorocarbon polymer areas shall be instructed to wash their hands thoroughly before eating, smoking, or handling smot ing materials. (c) In the interest of good industrial safety and hygiene practices, preparation and consumption of food ia areas where fluorocarbon polymers in bulk are handled and used should be discouraged. Employers may designate specific areas for these activities. (d) Where excessive contamination of clothing with fluorocarbon polymer dust is likely, employers shall provide employees with launderable clothing for repeated use or diwposable outer garments for one-time use. (e) Laundry personnel should be informed of the haxarde and of safe procedures if they are likely to encounter clothing contaminated with fluorocarbon polymers. NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WORKPLACE EXPOSURE TO POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBs) The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that employee exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the workplace be con trolled by adherence to the following sections. The standard It designed to protect the health and provide for the safety of employees for up to a 10-hour workday, 40-hour workweek, over a normal working life time. The standard la measurable by techniques that are valid, reproducible, and available to industry and governmental agencies. Compliance with the standard should substantially reduce any risk of reproduc tive or tumorigenlc ellectj of PCBs aod prevent other advene effects of exposure in the workplace. Employees should regard the recommended workplace environmental Umit as the upper boundary for exposure and make every ef fort to keep exposure as low as possible. Evidence indicates adverse reproductive and tumorigenlc effect! In experimental animals exposed to certain commer cial TCB preparations. Currently available Information is not adequate to demonstrate that other commercial PCS preparations do not have these effects. Should sufficient In formation become available to indicate that the standard offers greater or lesser protection from some chlorobipbenyf Isomers or commercial preparations than is needed, it wiU be considered for revision. The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1978 (PuMic Law 94-489) required the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prescribe marking and disposal regulations for PCBs by July 1, 1977 (Federal Register 42:28883-77, May 24, 1977). By this Act, the manufacture, processing, dis tribution in commerce, or use of PC8a in any but totally enclosed systems is to be banned, effective 1 year after tho date of its enactment, October 11, 1978. Two years after the enactment date PCB manufacture is to be banned, and processing and distribution in commerce are to bo bawnad 2.S years from that date. However, the Act allows the A^ ministrator of EPA to rule otherwise if he finds that manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, or use in other than totally enclosed systems will not present an un reasonable risk of injury to health or to the environment The Act does not affect use of equipment already containing 0cwr*iinl Slty A Health fte*tr MQNS 002595 CURRENT REPORT PCBs In totally enclosed systems, so that a potential for oc cupational exposure to PCBs will continue to exist for many years as a consequence of their transportation, installation, use. and disposal. The part of the Act specific (or PCBs is presented in Figure M (omitted). "PCBs" are defined for this recommended standard as commercial preparations of chlorinated biphenyl com pounds, including those preparations which may be describ ed u single isomers or classes of isomers, such as Decachlorodiphenvl. Biphenyl and its monochlorinated derivatives occurring in commercial preparations of PCBs shall be measured along with the polychlorinated derivatives, and shall be treated in this standard as the polychlorinated compounds of the preparations. "Oc cupational exposure to FCBs." is defined as working with PCBs or with equipment containing PCBs that can become airborne or that can spill or splash on the skin or into the eyes, or the handling of any solid products that may result in exposure to PCBs by skin contact or by inhalation. The term "PCB work area" is defined as an area where there is oc cupational exposure to PCBs. In areas where no oc cupational exposure to PCBs occurs, but where PCBs are present In equipment in the workplace, adherence is re quired only to Section 8(a). Section 1 -- Environmental (Workplace Air) (a) Concentration . Occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) shall be controlled so that no worker is exposed to PCBs at a concentration greater than 1.0 microgram total PCBs per cubic meter of air (1.0 ug/cu m), determined as a time-weighted average (TWA) concentration, for up to a 10-hour workday, 40-hour workweek. (b) Sampling and Analysis The recommended TWA occupational exposure limit for PCBs has been determined to be the lowest reliably detec* fable limit by the sampling and analytical methods recommended in this document. Environmental samples shall be collected and analyzed as described in Appendices 1 and II, or by any methods shown to be at least equivalent in accuracy, precision, and sensitivity to the methods specified. Section 2 -- Mtdical Medical surveillance shall be made available to all employees subject to occupational exposure to PCBs. (s) Preplacement or initial medical examinations for workers shall include.* (1) Comprehensive medical and work histories with special emphasis on hepatic function, skin condition, nd reproductive history. (2) Comprehensive physical examination with particular attention to (he skin and to hepatic function including deter minations of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SCOT) and serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) activities. The responsible physician may also wish to obtain measurements of serum triglyceride concentrations or of other indices of fat metabolism. (3) A Judgment of the employee's ability to use positive pressure respirators. (b) During examinations, applicants or employees having medical conditions that could be directly or indirectly aggravated by exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls or for mulations containing polychlorinated biphenyls shall be counseled on the increased risk of impairment of their health that might result from working with these substances. (c) Women in the work force who are of child-bearing age hall be advised of the potential adverse effects of PCBs on the unborn child. Those who bear children while working with PCBs shall be counseled concerning the advisability el nursing their babies. (d) Initial medical examinations shall be made available to all workers as soon as practicable after promulgation of a standard based on these recommendations. (e) Periodic examinations shall be made available at least annually and include: (1) interim medical and work histories, and (2) physical examinations as outlined in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section. (f) If evidence of adverse effects of exposure to PCBs io. suspected or confirmed, appropriate medical care MI be] _made available to the.affected worker(s). . (g) Pertinent medical records shall be maintained for all employees exposed to PCBs in the workplace. Such medical records shall be maintained for the period of employment plus 30 years. These records shall be made available to the designated medical representatives of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, of the Secretary of Labor, of the employer, and of the employee or former employee. Section 3 -- Labeling and Posting All labels and warning signs shall be printed both is English and in the predominant language of nonEnglish-reading workers. Illiterate workers and workers reading languages other than those used on labels and posted signs shall be otherwise infot med regarding hazardous areas and shall be informed of the Instructions printed on labeta and signs. (a) Labeling The following warning label shall be affixed in a readily visible location on PCB-processing or other equipment, and on PCB-storage tanks or containers: . . - POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBs) DANGER! CONTAINS POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS CANCER SUSPECT AGENT Use only with adequate ventilation. Do not get In eyes, or on skin or clothing. First Aid: In case of skin or eye contact, flush with run ning water. ... . . . (b) Posting Warning placards shall be affixed in readily visible locations in or near PCB work areas. The information con tained thereon shall be arranged as in the following example. POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBs) DANCER! CANCER SUSPECT AGENT AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY _____ Do not enter unless area is adequately ventilated. Do not gel in eyes, or on skin or clothing. First Aid: In case of skin or eye contact, flush with run ning water. Section 4 -- Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing (a) Protective Clothing In any operation where workers may come into direct con tact with PCBs, protective clothing impervious lo PCBs shall be worn. Gloves, boots, overshoes, and bib-type aprons that cover boot lops shall be provided when necessary. Copyright b 1977 by Tht Burcou of Notionoi Affair*, Inc. HONS 002596 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH REPORTER Protective apparel shall b mad* of materials which moat effectively prevent skin contact with PCBs where it is most Ukeiy to occur Employers shall ensure that ail personal protective clothing is inspected regularly for defects and that it is in a clean and satisfactory condition. (h) ty: Protection Chemical safety goggles, face shields (8-inch minimum) with goggles, or safety glasses with side shields shall be provided by employers and shall be worn during any opera* tion In which PCBs are present. If liquid or solid PCBs con* tact the eyes, the eyes shall be irrigated immediately with large quontities medical personnel. (A drop of vegetable oil on the eye has been found to reduce the resultant irrigation.) Eye protection shall he in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.133 end ANSI Z 87.1-1988. (c) Respiratory Protection (1) Engineering controls shall be used when needed to keep concentrations of airborne PCBs at or below the recommended TWA occupational exposure limit. The only conditions under which compliance with the permissible ex posure limit may be achieved by the use of respirators are: (A) During the time necessary to install or test the re* qulred engineering controls. (B) For nonroutlne maintenance or repair activities. (C) During emergencies when concentrations of airborne PCBe may exceed the permissible limit. 12) When the use of respirators is permitted by paragraph cU) of this section, respirators shall be selected and used in accordance with the following requirements: I A) The employer shall establish and enforce a respiratory protection program meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1110.134. (Bl The employer shall provide respirators in accordance with Table M and shall ensure that employees properly use the respirators provided. The respirators shall be those ap proved by NIOSH or the Mining Enforcement and Safety Ad*ministration. The standard for approval is specified in 30 CFR 11. The employer shall ensure that respirators are properly cleaned, maintained, and stored when not in use. (ommiIm tfNto . . . haliiln Type iurml ** TnMiUm < M <n 11 MOIM llM I.S k/hi a M Woinr (m*t >** NtMToSM tSmi (1) ViMttlti m-rtiM *tlk lull (Mttlttt orttul la Ml M tUl IMlUltt (U COttMtiM ??* e OtUU-tt taaplfitlt ttk tall (luklit* ptUlH pum Mt tap *a Mflliry HlNNtiiaM kmOtii if Mfcac pti:tN puin ulr. Section i -- Informing Employees of Hazards from PCBs (a) All new and present employees in any area in which PCBe are used shall be informed of the hazards, relevant symptoms, and effects of overexposure to PCBs, and the precautions to be observed for safe use and handling of these materials. (b) All employees involved with the manufacture, use, transport, or storage of PCBs shall be informed that PCBe have been found to induce tumors in experimental animals after repeated oral ingestion and that because at these ftm^ ings it is concluded that PCBS are potential human car cinogens; employees shall also be informed that advene reproductive effects may result from occupational exposure to PCBs. <c) The employer shall institute a continuing education program, conducted by instructors qualified by experience or training, to ensure that all employees occupationally ex posed to PCBs have current knowledge of job hazards, proper maintenance and cleanup methods, and proper use of protective clothing and equipment, including respirators. The instructions shall include a general description of the medical surveillance program and of the advantages to the employee of participation. Special attention shall be given to women in the workplace. They shall be made aware of the potential adverse effects of PCBs on the unborn child, and of the known transport of PCBs to breast milk. Elementj of the program shall also include: Emergency procedures and drills; Instruction in handling spills and leaks; Decontamination procedures; Firefighting equipment location and use; First-aid procedures, equipment location, and use; Rescue procedures; Confined space entry procedures: Low warning (odor) properties of PCBs. ' - (d) The information explaining the hazards of working with PCBs shall be kept on file and be readily accessible to workers at aU places of employment where PCBs are manufactured, used, stored, or transported. Required infor mation shall be recorded on the "Material Safety Data Sheet" shown in Appendix in (omitted] or similar form ap proved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administra tion, US Department of Labor. ... Section 8 -- Work Practices and Engineering Controls (a) Regulated Areas . Access to PCB work areas shall be regulated and limited to authorized persons. A daily roster shall be kept of persons , entering such areas. I (b) Handling of PCBs and General Work Practices U> Operating instructions shall be formulated and posted where PCBs are handled or used. (2) Transportation and use of PCBs shall comply with aB applicable local, state, and federal regulations. (3) PCBs shall be stored in tightly dosed containers in well-ventilated areas. (4) When PCB storage containers are being moved, or when they are not in use and are disconnected, valve protec tion covers shall be in place. Containers shall be moved only with the proper equipment and shall be secured to prevent dropping or loss of control during transport (5) Storage facilities shall be designed to contain spills completely within surrounding dikes and to prevent co>. lamination of workroom air. (6) Ventilation switches and emergency respiratory equip ment shall be located outside storage areas in readily accessible locations which will remain minimally co* laminated with PCBs in an emergency. (7) Process valves and pumps shall be readily accessible and shall not be located in pits or congested areas. (8) Containers and systems shall be handled and opened with care. Approved protective clothing as specified in Sec tion 4 shall be worn by employees engaged in opening, co nccting. and disconnecting PCB containers and systems. Adequate ventilation shall be provided to minimize ex posures of such employees to airborne PCBe. Occupational Scfdy & Hooirh Report. HONS 002597 CURRENT REPORT (9> pCB-operating ami storage equipment and systems >t>ii be inspected daily for signs of leaks. AH equipment, in cluding valves, fittings, and connections shall he checked for i--* immediately after PCBs are introduced therein. (10) When a leak is found, it shall be repaired or otherwise corrected immediately. Work-shall resume normally only after necessary repair or replacement has been completed, the area has been ventilated, and below the recommended TWA concentration limit. (c) Control of Airborne PCBs (1) Suitable engineering controls, designed to maintain ex posure to airborne PCBs at or below the limit prescribed in Section 1(a), shall be used. Complete enclosure of processes is the recommended method for control of PCB exposure. Local exhaust ventilation may also be effective, used alone or in combination with process enclosure. When a local ex haust ventilation system is used, it shad be so designed and operated as U> prevent accumulation or recirculation of air borne PCBs in the workplace environment and to effectively remove PCBs from the breathing zones of employees. Exbaosl ventilation systems discharging to outside air must conform to applicable local, state, and federal regulations and must not constitute a hazard to employees or to the general population. Before maintenance work on control equipment begins, the generation of airborne PCBs shall be eliminated to the extent feasible. Enclosures, exhaust hoods, and ductwork shall be kept In good repair so that designed airflows are maintained. Airflow at each hood shall be measured at least semiannual ly and preferably monthly. Continuous airflow indicators are recommended, such as water or oil manometers properly mounted at the juncture of fume hood and duct throat (mark ed to indicate acceptable airflow). A log shall be kept show ing design airflow and the results of semiannual airflow measurements. (2) Forced-draft ventilation systems shall be equipped with remote manual controls and shall be designed to shut off automatically in (he event of a fire in the PCB work area. (b)Special Work Areas (1) PCB Hazard Areas A hazard area shall be considered as any space having physical characteristics and containing sources of PCBs, such as transformers, that could result in PCB concen trations In excess of the recommended airborne PCB ex posure limit. Exits shall be plainly marked, conveniently located, and open outwardly into areas which will remain minimally contaminated in an emergency. (2) Confined or Enclosed Spaces Entry Into confined or enclosed spaces, such as tanks, pits, process vessels, and tank cars where there is limited egress, hall be controlled by a permit system. Permits shall be signed by an authorized representative of (he employer and hall certify that appropriate measures have been taken to prevent adverse effects on the worker's health as a result of his or her entry into such space. Confined or enclosed spaces which have contained PCBs shall be thoroughly ventilated to assure an adequate supply of oxygen, tested for PCBs and other contaminants, and In spected for compliance with these requirements prior to each entry. Adequate ventilation shell be maintained while workers are in such spaces. Leakage of PCBs into such con fined or enclosed spaces while work Is in progress shall be prevented by disconnecting and blanking the PCB supply lines. Each individual entering such confined or enclosed apace shall be furnished with appropriate personal protec tive equipment and clothing and be connected by a lifeline harness to a standby worker stationed outside of the space. The standby workor shall also be equipped for entry with ajv proved personal protective equipment and clothing and have contact with a third person. Hie standby perm tall auhb tain communication (visoaf. voice, siptel line. telephone, radio, or other sui table means) with the employee inside the confined or enclosed space. (e) Emergency Procedures j For all PCB work areas where there is a potential (or the I occurrence of emergencies, employers shall take alk| necessary steps to ensure that employees are instructed ut.\ and follow, (he procedures specified below as well aa any ] others appropriate to the specific operation or process. (1) If PCBs leak or are spilled, the following steps shall be taken: (A) AH nonessential personnel shall be evacuated from the leak or spill area. (B) The area of the leak of spill shall be adequately ven tilated to prevent the accumulation of vapors. (C) If the PCBs are in liquid form, they shall be collected for reclamation or sorbed in vcrmiculite, dry sand, earth, or similar nonreactive material. (2) Personnel entering the spill or leak area shall be fur nished with appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing. All other personnel shall be prohibited from enter ing the area. (3) Only personnel trained in the emergency procedures and protected against the attendant hazards shall shut off sources of PCBs, clean up spills, control and repair leeka, and fight fires, in areas where PCBs are used. (4) All wastes and residues containing PCBs shall bo collected in PCB-resistanl containers and appropriately di posed of (Federal Register 42 28S83-77, May 24. 1977). (5) Safety showers, eyewash fountains, and washroom facilities shall be provided, maintained in working conditio*, and located so as to be readily accessible to workers to all areas where (he occurrence of skin or eye contact with PCBo is likely. If liquid or solid PCBs are splashed or spilled on m employee, contaminated clothing shall be removed promptly and the skin washed thoroughly with soap and water (or to least IS minutes. Eyes shall be irrigated immediately wtth copious quantities of running water for at least 15 minutes If liquid or solid PCBs gel into them. A drop of vegetable oil may be applied to the eye to relieve the irritating effect f PCBs. Section 7 -- .Sanitation Practices (a) Employees occupationally exposed to PC8s shall bo provided with separate lockers or other storage facilities for street clothes and tor work clothes. (b) Employees occupationally exposed to PCBs shall not wear work clothing away from their place of employment <c) Employees occupationally exposed to PCBs shall bo __ provided clean worklxlothing daily, and cleaning es tablishments shall be informed as to the hazards of handling PCBs and proper disposal procedures lor PCB-contamwated waste water. (d) Facilities for shower baths shall be provided for employees occupationally exposed to PCBs. Worfcero should shower before changing into street clothes. (e) Employees exposed to PCBs shall be advised to wash their hands and exposed skin before eating, drinking, smok ing or using toilet facilities during the work shift. (f) Food, drink, or smoking materials shall not bo per mitted tn areas where PCBs are handled, processed, er stored. Section 8 -- Monitoring and Recordkeeptnp Re quirements . (a) Monitoring (1) As soon as practicable after the promulgation of a standard based on these recommendations, each employer C*er0h' 1977 by Tha Butaaw af Na'ianel Affairs, Ir HONS 002598 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH REPORTER who manufactures, processes, handles, stores or otherwise uses PCBs shall determine by an industrial hyfiene survey whether occupational exposure to PCBs may occur. Surveys shall be repeated at least once every year and within 30 days of any process change likely to result in occupational ex posure (o PCBs. Records of these surveys, including the basis for any conclusion that there may be no occupational exposure to PCBs, shall be retained until the next survey has been completed. (2) If occupational exposure to PCBs is determined to be possible, a program of personal monitoring shall be in stituted to measure or permit calculation of the exposures of all employees. (A) In all personal monitoring, samples representative of the employees' breathing zones shall be collected. <B) For each TWA concentration determination, a suf ficient Aumber of samples shall be taken to characterize each employee's exposure during each work shift. Variations In work and production schedules and in employees' locations and job functions shall be considered in choosing sampling times, locations, and frequencies. (C) Bach operation in each work area shall be sampled at least once every 3 months. (3) If an employee is found to be exposed to PCBs in ex cess of the recommended TWA concentration limit, control measures shall be initiated, the employee shall be notified of the exposure and of the control measures being implemented to correct the situation, and the employee shall be monitored every 30 days. Such monitoring shall continue until two such consecutive determinations indicate that the employee's ex posure no longer exceeds the recommended TWA concentra tion limit. Routine monitoring may then be resumed. (b) Recordkeeping Environmental monitoring records shall be maintained for at least 30 years after the employee's last occupational ex posure to PCBs. These records shall Include the dates and lime* of measurements, job function and location of employees within the worksite, methods of sampling and analysis used, types of respiratory protection in use at the time of sampling, TWA concentrations found, and identifica tion of exposed employees. Each employee shall be able to obtain information on his or her own environmental ex posures. Daily rosters of authorised persona who enter regulated areas shall be retained for 30 years. Environmen tal monitoring records and entry rosters shall be made available to designated representatives of the Secretary of Labor and of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Pertinent medical records for each employee dial! be retained for 30 years after the employee's last occupational exposure to PCBs. Records of environmental exposures applicable to an employee should be included in that employee's medical records. These medical records shall be made available to the designated medical representatives of the Secretary of Labor, of the Secretary of Health, Educa tion, and Welfare, of the employer, and of the employee or former employee. APMNOIX I SAMPLING RROCEOURE SON COLLECTION OP POLYCHLORINATED SIPHENYIS Cenerdf Requirements (a) Air samples representative of the breathing zones of workers must be collected to determine the exposure from each job or from the specific operation in each work area. (b) Suggested records: U) Date and Ume of sample collection; (2) Pump model and serial number; (3) Sample tube type and number; . (4) Sampling duration. (5) Total sample volume; .. (Si Location of sampling; (7) Temperature, pressure, and relative humidity at time of sampling; . (8) Other pertinent information. Calibration Since the accuracy of environmental sampling can be no greater than the accuracy of the air volume measurement, the accurate calibration of the sampling pump is essentia) to the correct estimation of the volume of the sample that is collected. The required frequency of calibration ia dependent on the use, care, and handling to which the pump is sub jected. Pumps should be calibrated initially and recalibrated if misused or repaired. If pumps receive hard usage, more frequent calibration may bq necessary. Regardless of use, maintenance and calibration should be performed on a regular schedule and records of these should be kept The accuracy of calibration depends on the type of instru ment used as a reference. The choice of calibration instru ment will depend largely upon where the calibration Is to be performed. Ordinarily, pumps should be calibrated in the laboratory. For laboratory testing, primary standards, such as a spirometer or a soapbubble meter, art recommended, although other standard calibration instruments, sueh as a wet-test meter or dry gas meter, can be used. The calibre lion setups will be similar for all instruments. Instructions for calibration with the soapbubble meter follow. If another calibration device is selected, equivalent procedures should be used. Since the flowrate of a pump depends on the pressure drop across the sampling device, in this case a "Florisil" tube, the pump must be calibrated while operating with a representative tube In line. The calibration system should be assembled in series following this order: soapbubble meter, water manometer, Florisil tube, and pump. (a) Check the voltage of the pump battery with a voltmeter to ensure adequate voltage for calibration, and change or charge the battery if necessary. (b) Turn on the pump and moisten the inside of the soupbubble meter by immersing the buret in the soap solution and drawing bubbles up the inside until they travel the entire buret length without bursting. (c) Adjust the pump rotometer to provide the desired flowrate. (d) Check the water manometer to ensure that the pressure drop across the sampling train does not exceed 2.3 inches of water at 0.2 liter/mmute. (e) Start a soapbubble up the buret and measure with a stopwatch the Ume required for it to move between calibra tion marks. . (f) Repeat procedure (e) at least twice, average the results, and calculate the flowrate from the volume between the preselected marks divided by the time required for the soapbubble to traverse the distance. (g) Record the volume measured, elapsed Ume. pressure drop, air temperature, atmospheric pressure, serial number of pump, date, time, and name of person performing the calibration. (h) The rotometer reading should be corrected for temperature and pressure, if necessary. Sampling " (a) Samples should be collected as near as practicable to Uie faces of workers without interfering with freedom of movement 0vp**ianal I Ripf*r HONS 002599 CURRENT REPORT MB fb) Samples should be collected to permit determination relative to a standard PCS preparation is read from a slaw of TWA exposures for every job involving exposure to PCBs dard curve, ir the air sample is found to differ signtficautiy and in sufficient numbers to express the variability of the ex in composition from available PCB standards, then we the posures in the work situation. alternate procedure of perchlorination described is (cl Apparatus lor Breathing Zone Sampling (II Pump, battery-operated,-with clip for attachment to paragraph <b)7 of Procedure. the worker's clothing. Airflow through the pump should be Range and Sensitivug of the Standard Analysis controlled within 5% of (he desired rate during the entire NIOSH has found with Aroclor 1016, that the minimum sampling period. detectable amount of PCB is 32 pg/4ul. With a total desor^ (21 Sorbent Tubes tion volume were 5 ml. this would represent a total sample Glass tubes at least 7 cm long with 4 mm I.O. and con taining two sections of 30/48 mesh deactivated Florisil. of 40 ng of Aroclor 1016. Thus the method is capable of detecting a concentration of 40 ng in a 1 cu m air sample, or (Florist!. 30/M mesh, is sieved to the proper mesh size.) The -- a concentration of about I ug/cu m in an air sample of N Iron! section, preceded by a glass wool plug, contains too mg liters. The upper range ot the analytical method is apparent* adsorbent, and the backup section contains SO mg. A ly limitless depending only upon the degree of dilution needed urethane foam plug is placed between these sections and also to maintain the concentration of the sample withm the linear behind the backup section. The ends of the tube are range of the electron capture detector (32 pg to 3 ng/ injec flame-sealed to prevent contamination before use. tion). In practice, concentrations in workplace air have been Deactivate the Florisil before packing the tubes by drying found to be as high as 1.5 mg/cu m. a weighed amount at 10$ C for 45 minutes. After cooling to room temperature, add the Florisil to a round bottom flask which can be attached to a rotary evaporator. Add water at ' Interference* 3ml/100 g of Florisil (i.e. 37* W/W water) and turn the mix (a) Strict measures to avoid contamination are required ture In the rotary evaporator for 1 hour or until it is uniform when using the electron capture detector. Foremost the ly mixed (free-flowing). syringe must be thoroughly cleaned after each injection. (d) Collection and Shipping of Samples (1) Immediately before sampling, break each end of the Hexane to be used in the analytical procedure should be periodically analyzed by GLC for purity. It should show nu sorbent tube to provide an opening at least one-half the inter chromatographic peaks later than 45 seconds, if less than S na) diameter of the tube (2 mm). ul have been injected. (2) The smaller, or backup, section of Florisil should be positioned nearest the sampling pump. (b) Any compound which has nearly the same retention time on the GLC column as one of the PCBs is as interffront. (3) The sorbent tube must be vertical during sampling. This type of interference can often by overcome by changing Tubes should not be placed in a horizontal position since this the GLC operating conditions or by selecting another may lead to "channeling" of the sorbent bed. column. Retention time data on a single column, or evened n (4) Do not pass air being sampled through any hose or tub number of columns, cannot be considered as proof of ing before U enters the tube. chemical identity. It is important, therefore, that a sample (5) Collect the air sample at a flow rate of 200 cc/minute of the bulk mixture of PCBs be analyzed at the same time aa or leu to obtain the total sample volume required. The the contents of the sample tubes so that chemical identifica recommended maximum sampling volume for this method tion of possible interferences ean be made. is 90 liters. (I) Cap the sorbent tubes with inert plastic caps im (c) The interferences which have been reported In the literature in the GLC analysis of PCBs are not expected to he mediately after sampling. Under no circumstances ere rubber caps to be used. Label tubes and note precise location important for this method. Chlorinated pesticides, such as DDT, DDE, etc, have been reported as interferences due to auignments. coextraction with PCBs during workup of samples such as (7) Handle one additional tube In (he same manner as the water, tissue, soil, or biologic fluids. In the case of personal sample' tubes except that no air is to be drawn through it. air sampling in an industrial environment, these in Label this tube as a blank. terferences would not be present in amounts that would (I) If the tubes are to be shipped, pack them tightly to significantly interfere unless they were manufactured in the minimise breakage in transit. (9) Do not subject the lubes to extremes of temperatures same ares. Thus, unless these chlorinated pesticides are' specifically known as potential interferents, extra cleanup or to low pressure*. or separation steps for these materials are not Decenary. (10) Provide bulk samples of (he PCB preparation whose (d) Sulfur-containing compounds in petroleum products presence in the environment is suspected to the analytical have been reported as interferences. laboratory. Do not transport these bulk materials In the (e) If present in the PCB mixture, biphenyl will be an same container as the samples or blank tubes. If possible, terferen.ee when samples are analyzed by perchiorinatton; also provide a bulk air sample to use for qualitative iden however, PCBs for the purpose of this recommended sta tification. APPENDIX II dard include biphenyl. (f) Brominated impurities in antimony pentachloride have also been found to lead to interferences in perchlorination ANALYTICAL MCTHOO FOR POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS procedures. Results from NIOSH laboratories indicate, however, that these brominated impurities may be removed by vacuum distillation of the antimony pentachloride. Principle of the Method A known volume of air is drawn through a tube containing Precision and Accuracy Ftorisil to adsorb the PCBs present in the air sample. The collected PCBs are desorbed with hexane, and the resulting solutions are analyzed using gas-liquid chromatography with electron capture detection. The concentration of PCBs The performance characteristics of the method as found by NIOSH are presented below. (a) The volume of air sampled can be measured to 1% if a pump with a calibrated volume indicator is used. Volumes Copyright 1977 by Th Bvroow of Notional Affair*, 1n. HONS 002600 { _ ~ CURRENT REPORT #71 Mtowtog procedure would be used to inject 4 Hl of sample Solution. Three microliters of hexane would be drawn into the syringe, followed by 1 J of air. followed by 4 *1 of sam ple solution. After the needle is removed from the sample solution. 1 additional l of air is drawn into the syringe to minimize evaporation at the Up of the needle. The plunger now rests at the 9-l mark. Inject at least 7 1 of the syringe contents into the gas chromatogram. Not less than 1 I of hush-solvent should be used. Larger volumes of flush may give a solvent peak which interferes with sample component peaks. The syringe must be cleaned with hexane after each Injection. (5) Preliminary Analysis Using (he solvent-flush method of subsection b(4), inject 1 id of sample and 1 J of flush-solvent at the conditions specified under subsection b( 3) If the sample is too concen trated, further dilutions will be necessary to bring the con centration of the sample solution into the linear range of the electron capture detector. Once the concentration of the sample Is appropriately adjusted, its chromatogram should be compared to that of a standard to determine if the air sample ia qualitatively different in composition from the standard. If there is little difference between the two chromatograms, then proceed with the standard analysis us ing the PCB mixture for standardization, subsection b(6>. On the other hend, should there be a significant difference between the two chromatograms (such that comparison with the PCB mixture could result in gross error), then use the . alternate procedure for standardization, subsection b(7). (6) Standard Analysis . Select at least five prominent peaks in the sample chromatogram and compart their heights or areas with those of the standard. Calculate the concentration of PCBs by comparing the heights or areas of the selected peaks in the sample chromatogram of those in the standard chromatograms of known amounts of material. (7) Alternate Standardization Procedure A J0(M aliquot of the sample is placed in a 13-mm x 100-mm culture tube and the hexane is slowly evaporated with dry nitrogen until 10 ul or less remain. Do not allow boxane to climb the tube during evaporation and do not allow Ue sample to evaporate to dryness. Immediately add 0.2-0.$ ml of distilled antimony pentachloride with a disposable plpet as rapidly as possible (antimony pentachloride decom poses rapidly In air) and cap the tube. The sample should re main light yellow after this addition, but if the sample turns dark brown or black, it must be discarded and another ali quot of that sample must be used. All samples are placed together In a sand bath. There should be no Uner In the cap of the tube, since most liners are attacked by antimony pen tachloride. A sample of decachlorobiphenyl is treated in a manner similar to the samples. The sand bath containing all of the treated samples is placed in a preheated oven at ISO C for a least 3 hours. Samples may also be treated in a preheated oven at ISO C for at least 3 hours. Samples may also be treated overnight. After perchlorinalion, the sand bath is removed from the oven and the samples are removed from the sand and allowed to cool to room temperature. To each sample is added dropwise 0. S ml of 20% hydrochloric add. This mixture is then extracted four times with 1-2 ml of hexane each time. Each extract is passed through a funnel containing approximately 0.5 g of anhydrous sodium sulfate (retained by a glass wool plug) into a 10-ml volumetric flask. The volume of the sample is brought to 10 ml by rinsing the pipet, sodium sulfate, and funnel lip with hexane. The funnel should not rest on the lip of the flask during filtration. The glass wool plug and sodium sulfate In the funnel are replaced after each sample. An aliquot of the sample solution is in jected under the GLC conditions described above. The solvents flush technique is recommended using 2 ul of sol vent back flush and 6 ul of standard or sample solution. The syringe must be cleaned with hexane after each injection. The height or area of the decachlorobiphenyl peak is com pared to that of the decachlorobiphenyl standard and the weight of decachlorobiphenyl present is calculated. (8) Gas-liquid chromatographic conditions for decachlorobiphenyl determination: (A) Nitrogen carrier gas flow rate, 90 ml/minute. (B) Injector temperature. 300 C. (C) Interface and detector temperature, 32$ C. (D) Column temperature. 220 C. (c) Determination of Desorption Efficiency NIOSH has found average desorption efficiency is --99.3%, thus results of sample analyses need not be corrected for desorption efficiency. Colcufatfons - (a) Standard Analytical Procedure The following are the steps in the calculation of conccn- trations of PCBs in air when determined with a PCB mixture as the standard. (1} Add the heights or areas of several selected prominent peaks (at least five) in the chromatogram, compare with the total heights or areas of those same peaks in the standard, and read the concentration of the sample solution (ng/ml) from the standard curve. (2) Multiply the concentration! in ng/mf, of the sample solution by the total volume, in ml. of the sample solution and calculate the weight of PCBs in the sample. Make cor rections for the blanks if necessary. (3) Add the weights found on the front and the back see* lions of the tube to find (he total weight of PCBs in the air sample. (4) Divide the total weight of the PCBs In the air sample by the volume, in liters, of air sampled and report the PCB concentration in ng/liter or its equivalent in ug/cu m. (b) Alternate Standardization Procedure The following are the steps in the calculation of conean trations of PCBs in air using the perchlorinatioo method. (1) The height or area of the decachlorobiphenyl peak in the chromatogram of the sample aliquot is compared la the height or area of the decachlorobiphenyl peak in the chromatograms of the standard. The concentration of decachlorobiphenyl in the sample aliquot ia read from the standard curve. (2) The concentration of decachlorobiphenyl in this aliquot (ng/ml) is multiplied by the total volume (ml) of the sample solution to give the total weight of PCBs in the sample as decachlorobiphenyl. (3) The weights of PCBs. as decachlorobiphenyl, found on the front and back sections of the tube are summed, correc- lions for blanks are made, and the total weight of PCB, as decachlorobiphenyl, in the air sample is calculated. (4) The total weight of PCB is divided by the volume of air sampled and the air concentration is reported in ng/kter or Its equivalent in wg/cu m. : Copr'ieht 1977 by Th* Bu*ov of National Affotn, Ine. HONS 002601