Document r1q9mx8bJRMEzweRyV6gvKwr

PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT Offltt CUM T it, S' v MAY 2 7 1555 O.D.I. Biochemical Research Department THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY Not*3E.ED. JUN 20 1955 SUBJECT: RESULTS 0? AIR ANALYSIS MADE File: T2.1-1-32 A) WHILE MIXINO ASBESTOS - Chg. 1219 VINYL PLOOR TILE , Rac'd 10-23-54 Fin'd 5-5-55 Work S. R. Johann , Rap't S. R. Johann * >* Checked U- K* Data s~ ` C- Ray McDonald. 433 Bldg. Ralph Hnd, 433 Bldg. S. M. MacCutcheon. '401 Bldg. H. H. Qay, M.D., 607 Bldg. THIS REPORT IS THE PROPERTY OF THE DCiY C!:::.`CAl. crs^PAKY ST0068UU CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Air analysis showed that tha presence of air borne materials near the operators was of sufficient concentration to oreate a health hazard for repeated eight hour exposure. The present equipment should be equiped with local exhaust ventilation if it is planned to operate continuously on this material. Sufficient quantities of lead were found in the air samples in two of the operations, such that blood lead analyses were thought necessary. The results of the blood lead analyses showed the men had not been exposed for long enough periods of time to result in excessive exposure to lead. Biochemical Research Dept. T2.1-1-32 Pag* 2 PRESENTATION OP DATA During the processing of experimental formulations of asbestos vinyl tile, it was belelved a health hazard existed due to the dustiness of the dry Ingredients used. The Industrial Hygiene Laboratory was asked to Investigate this hssard. The 23rd of December 1954, samples irere taken of the air while the men were operating the different .pleoes of mixing equipment on the 3rd floor of 433 building. The amount of dry material found la the air during the different mixing operations was such that If these operations were- run on a continuous basis a health hasard would exist. Any further large scale work should be done with Improved ventilation. This ventilation should Include exhaust ventilation hoods over each piece of equipment and the dry mixing with the Alec trie mixer In the laboratory should be done In an approved hood. The majority of dry materials In the air was assumed to be asbestos fibers and calcium carbonate. No specific tests were made at the time of sampling to deteraine the amount of each present. The two materials are reported as Inerts. Any future work with this or similar material should be ohecked for the amount of asbestos .In the air. An excess, that Is more than 5 million particles per cubic foot of air. Is a health hasard for repeated eight hour exposures. Owing to the presence of lead-organic compounds In the dry mixtures, it was deemed necessary to have blood lead analyses made on the men concerned. The examinations showed the blood lead level was low. The men have not suffered any 111 effects beoauae they have operated the equipment for short periods of time only. Continuous eight hour operation would constitute a health hazard. This information Is shown In Table I. ST006845 Biochemical Research Dept. T2.1-1-32 P* 3 The amount of matarlal found in the air aa solid Inart mattrial, asaumad to ba calcium carbonate and asbestos, is shown in Table II, along with the samples that ware analyzed for metals. TABLE I . . ' *- i Blood lead content of men working-with asbestos - vinyl tile Name Clock No. Mg. Pg per 100 cc Blood 0.024 0.024 0.016 f 0.08 Samples drawn, 3-7-55 Recorded, 4-4-55 ST006846 Biochemical Research Dept. T2.1-1-32 Page 4 TABLE II Sample Ho. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Location of Sample Analysis Nan was mixing a batch of vinyl- aabestos tile on a differential speed 2 roll mill. Sample taken about 2 feet above the hot rolls (285*?. *.235*P.) Odor of coconut oil present. Asbestos fibers could be seen In the air for a few minutes. . Pb cd Inert Same operation as Sample' #1, a different formulation used. No odor of coconut oil. Pumes or steam could be seen rising from the rolls. edd Inert Breathing cone sample of the operator while he was running a thd batch of material on the same machine as In Samples 1*2. Nan stated the odor was strong and disagreeable. Ba cd Inert Same as sample #3 but Included cleaning the rolls after the run. Different formulation than in Sample #3. Pb Ba Cd Inert Blending dry Ingredients In a Inert Baker-Perklns mixer. CaC03 being added to dry vinyl plus stabiliser. No asbestos fibers added at this stage. Material became plastic after mixing. Same mixing operation as above Inert but as the asbestos fiber is added. The material already in the mixer was soft. This and sample #3 are done about 20 runs per day when doing this particular experiment about 10 min. per run. Breathing zone of the operator on the Bandbury Mill, as he added the dry filler material (asbestos * CaC03) to the molten mixture of vinyl. Dry filler material mas visible in the air for several minutes but was dissapated by the room ventilation,operation takes about 3 min. Inert Concentratlot Mg/m3 3.47 <.66 102.00 <.66 93.00 4.00 <.66 16.00 fcr5 50.00 0.00 66.00 ST0068U7 * * Biochemical Research Dept. T2.1-1-32 Pig* 5 Saaple Ho. 8 Location of Staple Staple taken in the lab while the operator waa nixing dry ingredients in a "Kitchenaid" electric alxer. This is done about 10 tiaes a day. Industrial Hygiene Standards for repeated eight hour. ` exposures. .' * * *, Analysis Inert Concentratlc Mg/m3 24.20 Fb Ba Cd Inert 0.15 0.50 0.10 15.00 ST006848 Elf