Document r6kRoLebppoEeBZXMRoRQ3NyJ

PROM TOM FLORES POINT COMFORT OPERATIONS MAY 1, 1973 ^ Ml- GEORGE H. FARRAH EnviIrRoOnNmMeEnNTtAaLl HheEaALlTtHh LAi BORATORY ALCOA TECHNICAL CENTER ALCOA CENTER RE: COLOR SLIDES OF ASBESTOS FIBERS Enclosed are some color slides of some specimens of dust taken while a Soderberg pot was being lined with Skamol N-4 Hi-Temp Insulation block. The reason for taking the slides is that we're uncertain as to which fibers are asbestos. The thick white ones or the thin black ones, or both. The color prints you sent with your letter of April 25th tend to show the black ones as being asbestos. I had suspected they would be because when viewed in the dark phase mode, they appear white, but when the condenser is ,/ in phase contrast, they look dark. As of December 6, 1972 we have been \ // counting all of these fibers. ) We don't have a Porton reticle because it wasn't listed in the AO catalog when we ordered our Microscope. What we have is AO 1409A micrometer reticle which is .25 mm long divided into 20 squares at 450X magnification. Thi6 will make each square 12.5 micrometer long. I have kept duplicate slides with the exception of B4(a) and B4(b), After you have had time to study them, give me a call and we'll discuss them. Notice that the black fibers in B4 appear white in B4(a). Enc. ARD 043790 FROM TOM FLORES POINT COMFORT OPERATIONS MAY 1, 1973 -iQ^MMRR.. GEORGE H. FARRAH IRONMENTAL HEALTH LABORATORY \ ALCOOA TECHNICAL CENTER ALCOA CENTER RE: COLOR SLIDES OF ASBESTOS FIBERS Enclosed are some color slides of some specimens of dust taken while a Soderberg pot was being lined with Skamol N-4 Hi-Temp insulation block. The reason for taking the slides is that we're uncertain as to which fibers are asbestos. The thick white ones or the thin black ones, or both. The color prints you sent with your letter of April 25th tend to show the black ones as being asbestos. I had suspected they would be because when viewed in the dark phase mode, they appear white, but when the condenser is in phase contrast, they look dark. As of December 6, 1972 we have been counting all of these fibers. We don't have a Porton reticle because it wasn't listed in the AO catalog when we ordered our Microscope. What we have is AO 1A09A micrometer reticle which is .25 mm long divided into 20 squares at 450X magnification. This will make each square 12.5 micrometer long. I have kept duplicate slides with the exception of B4(a) and B4(b). After you have had time to study them, give me a call and we'll discuss them. Notice that the black fibers in B4 appear white in B4(a). Wi i ft l -> ALCOA IM8M (W*V !) ARD 043791 FROM RICHARD A. MILITO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH LABORATORY ALCOA TECHNICAL CENTER - C TO MEMORANDUM 1990-03-29 .i RE: TRIP REPORT - ROCKDALE AND POINT COMFORT. MAR 19-23 The purpose of this trip was threefold: Consultation with and by personnel involved with analysis of bulk materials for asbestos content using polarized light microscopy. Consultation with various personnel involved in industrial hygiene, environmental and safety issues concerning sampling strategies. Familiarization with all processes specific to each plant in order to best perform my duties as an industrial hygiene chemist ROCKDALE. TX WORKS Major Facilities 1. Aluminum smelter 2. Lignite mines (Sandow) 3. Boilers (3) Contacts 1. Jim Richter, I.H., Safety, Environmental Technologist 2. Ron Linnstaedter, I.H., Safety, Environmental Technician 3. Nelson Mueller, Senior Mining Safety and I.H. Supervisor 4. Robert Kocur, Environmental Technician, Power Plant (for bulk asbestos) 5. Cary Greisbach, Manager, I.H. and Safety 6. Ray Cilkey, Mechanical Engineer, Electrode 7. Allan Clayton, Chief Chemist Discussion Topics included the various processes throughout the plant and assigned responsibilities of personnel. Lengthy consultations were held with R. Linnstaedter concerning asbestos analysis (PLM) and sampling. Consultation with Ray Gilkey on plasma arc cutting of carbon steel was held. Laboratory operation and quality was discussed with AlClayton and the need for a full-time industrial hygienist at such a large facility emphasized. Un a ALCOA SF.*S63 rftEV SS-fi ARD 043792 Memorandum 1990-03-29 Page Two fortunately, I did not get to speak with Gene Troggio, Power Plant I.H. and Safety or Jim Saxton, Environmental Superintendent. With the takeover by Alcoa of the Sandow Mines and three boilers, the Rockdale Works is a vast operation with a large number of responsibilities in industrial hygiene, safety and environmental control. POINT COMFORT. TX OPERATIONS Major Facilities 1. Ore unloading 2. Al203 production 3. HF production (AIF3) 4. Red mud lakes Contacts 1. Kerry Keller, I.H., Safety Technologist 2. Ray Scott, I.H., Safety Manager 3. Raleigh Prince, Environmental Technologist 4. Bill Elliott, Environmental Technologist 5. Larry Onkin, Environmental Technologist 6. John Mayfield, Environmental Supervisor j 7. K. Spears, Chemical Engineer, HF Production 8. R. Nolan, QA Laboratory Technologist Discussion Topics included various processes throughout the plant and assigned responsibilities. Lengthy discussions were held with R. Prince (PLM analysis of bulks), L. Onkin (mud lakes), Kerry Keller and Ray Scott (sampling equipment and strategies), K. Spears (HF Monitoring equipment), R. Nolan (operation of the QA Lab) and John Mayfield. The need for a seminar dealing with bulk asbestos analysis was discussed to include other plant locations. Such a seminar would be held every three years or so with input from all persons involved in this particular analysis. Also the need for a company newsletter dealing with bulk asbestos analysis was reviewed. These ideas were sug gested by John Mayfield and, previously by D. Troutt of Alcoa, TN works. In the meeting between K. Keller, R. Prince, R. Scott and R. Milito, an open discussion was centered around various IH sampling strategies particular to Pt. Comfort processes. This discus sion appeared beneficial to all participants and the need for such open forums empha sized. ARD 043793 Memorandum 1990-03-29 Page Three Comments I found all personnel with whom I had contact at Rockdale and Pt. Comfort extremely receptive and open to suggestions while at the same time leaving myself open for the same. It is obvious that the laboratories are organized and the personnel assigned to them are conscientious and exhibit a commitment to quality. I wish to thank all of the plant personnel for making my visit a so pleasant and informative. RICHARD A. MILITO cc: A. G. Clayton, Rockdale J. Mayfield, Pt. Comfort C. F. DiMascio, Pittsburgh-6 J. Damiano, Pittsburgh-6 J. A. Shockey, Pittsburgh-6 R. S. Danchik/D. R. Balya 12MM\ds ARD 043794 RICHARD A. MILITO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH LABORATORY ALCOA TECHNICAL CENTER - C R. THOMAS, TENNESSEE OPERATIONS D. TROUTT, TENNESSEE OPERATIONS B. ELLIOTT, PT. COMFORT WORKS 1989-04-06 Attached are the results from our first round robin QC survey regarding identification of asbestos in bulk samples. As shown, we all agree on the presence/absence of asbestos in the samples but encounter some difficulty in percent assessment. This is not unexpected however, since determination of percentage asbestos in samples is a difficult procedure. In fact, there are courses offered to teach just this aspect of the analysis. I would appreciate your comments on this matter and the survey in general. We will plan to send out the next set of samples sometime in June. Also attached is the analysis of EHL samples by a commercial laboratory in our area. I think they erred in the analysis of sample 7738-1. Thank you for your fine cooperation in this round robin survey. RI MILITO Attachment cc: G. Mlaker, Pt. Comfort C. F. DiMascio, Pittsburgh-6 J. A. Shockey, Pittsburgh-6 J. Damiano/R. M. James, Pittsburgh-6 L. L. Rippey, Pittsburgh-6 R. -S'T Danchik/D. WR. -BaTya- ARD 043795 BULK ASBESTOS QC PROGRAM CURRENT RESULTS ATC-EHL ANALYSIS RESULTS TENN. PT. COHF. SOURCE ATC-EHL ALCOA, TENN. PT. COHF. SAMPLE ID 7691-2 7721-1 7728-1 chryaotile(95) non-aab(20) aaoslte(SO) 134 non-aab 146 aaosite(35) 177 chrysotile(60) 34 non-aab 35 non-aab 39 chrysotile(95) chrysotile090) non-asb aaoaite(>75) non-aab aaoaite(50> chrysotile(25> non-aab non-asb chrysotile(50) chrysotile(95) non-asb(15) aaosite(7S) non-asb aaoBite(75) chrysotile(5) non-asb non-aab chrysotile(100) EMVIROHHfKTAl HfAtTH LAS 7691-2 7721-1 773B-1 FIBROUS COMPONENTS 95% chrysotile 20% synthetic 50% amosite PENNRUNTORP PRC-00543 PRC-00544 PRC-00545 FIBROUS COMPONENTS 99% chrysotile 10% synthetic fiber 60% chrysotile ARD 0437gg FROM RICHARD A. MILITO ENVIRONMENT!. HEALTH LABORTORY ALCOA TECHNICAL CENTER - C TO MR. B. ELLIOTT POINT COMFORT OPERATIONS 1988-10-27 RE: IDENTIFICATION OF A DIFFICULT FORM OF ASBESTOS Included in a set of bulk samples submitted to EHL by Bill Elliott of Point Comfort for quality assurance purposes using polarized light microscopy (PLM), was one sample (07117 007) which was difficult to analyze. The sample displayed a positive sign of elongation and appreciable birefringence but did not appear to exhibit colors characteristic of many minerals listed in the single polar mode. Recently, I again encountered this sample material, including the rose-colored matrix, and isolated fibers for analysis using X-ray diffraction. In addition, I have questioned a colleague and have located literature regarding this evasive fiber. The fiber in question, which I am sending you, is a heated form of Amosite (Grunerite) and is described on page six of the attached general literature regarding asbestos. Upon heating, the fibers turn brown (dark red) and become very fragile while undergoing modification of the original crystalline structure. Of course, other asbestiforms such as chrysotile may also be present. I hope this correspondence will alert you to the presence of this material in the future. cc: G. Mlaker, Pt. Comfort C. F. DiMascio, Pittsburgh-6 J. A. Shockey, Pittsburgh-6 R. S. Danchik/D. R. Balya 0 ALCOA ARD 043797