Document rBgVZQNmE9oqzYXzwK6exY1EG

DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A. November 17, 1980 Dr. M. F. Currier Medical-Director Building 2303 LOUISIANA DIVISION P. O. BOX ICO PLAQUEMINE, LOUISIANA 70764 604 38B-BOOO cc: G. W. Daigre F. A. Ekker A. E. Kirby C. L. Melancon t/J. L. Moreau W. J. Neely B. Smallridge R. E. Walker J. D. Weldon PERSONNEL EXPOSURE DURING BENZENE BARGE LOADING The following are results of monitoring data on three benzene barges loaded on Marine Dock No. 2 on 10-3-80, 10-20-80 and 10-21-80. The data are comparisons of urinary phenol levels to time-weighted personnel exposure samples collected while the barges were being loaded. There is a definite correla tion between exposure levels and increased urinary phenols. The higher the exposure, the higher the urinary phenol level. This data was discussed with A1 Kirby and Don Fabre of the Marine Department. The monitoring data will be reviewed with the employees, and the following actions were agreed upon to prevent these exposure levels from recurring: 1. Strictly enforce the use, of proper respiratory protection on the barge and walkways during the entire time that a benzene barge is being hooked up, loaded and disconnected. 2. Monitor the control room during loading for possible benzene vapors from clothing or other sources. 3. Proceed as rapidly as possible to complete construction and installation of the blower to remove benzene vapors while the barges are being loaded. Continue program of biological monitoring using urinary phenol measurements and area and personnel exposure sampling to determine benzene levels on the barge and dock. 5. The same precautions will be taken when loading C-5 barges. DO 102456 CONFIDENTIAL Industrial Hygiene DOW sb Attachment AN OPERATING UNIT OP THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY MONITORING DATA URINARY PHENOLS VS. BENZENE EXPOSURE LEVELS Date Job Urinary Phenol mg/1 Description Before After Net ppm Bz Sample Duration No. Barge - PC-2805 10-3-80 Marine Operator Loading 10-3-80 Marine Operator Loading 10-3-80 Area Sample Deck of Barge 65 2 76 + 11 15.9 9 hours 01474 91 +89 138.5 7 hours 01475 741 + 7 hours Barge - PC-2805 10-21-80 Supervisor Control Room & Dock 10-21-80 Marine Operator Dock & Barge 10-21-80 Marine Operator Dock & Barge 10-21-80 Area Sample Deck of Barge 68 71 4 61 - 7 0.8 2 hours 01608 159 +88 81.0 2 hours 01609 97 +93 150.9 2 hours 10610 52.8 4.5 hours 01607 Barge - 1PC-2804 10-20-80 Marine Operator Dock & Barge 5 , M 79 +74 84.9 9 hours 01605 10-20-80 Area Sample Deck of Barge 81.0 11 hours 01606 sb 11/17/80 DOW CONFIDENTIAL * * 0CO01N0FI7O4F5N7TTAl