Document rx6DbMv1JEzo5kJxmEwD7DQX7

FILE NAME: Exxon (EXX) DATE: 1949 Apr 12 DOC#: EXX007 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Unpublished Internal Report - Summary of the Plant Industrial Hygiene Problems - Medical Dept, Standard Oil Co ? 1 coxpaky coirnssirnAL lfot For Publlcatlon In Procent Forti REFORT ON "SOKKIET CF T2E p u n t i h d u s t r i a l EYGIZKE ra03LSi-S" C. Berry, Fn.D. J. V. Eaonond, M.S. R. S. Bonoib, E.M. I. V, Eondrlcfca, M.S. April 12/ 1 & 9 HEDIOAL DEPARTMENT, RESEAPCE SECTIOH " 8TAHQARD OIL COHFAHY (KEW JERSEY} 30 ROCEET2LLSR PLAZA HSV YOF.i* 20, HSV YORK i M003118 SUMXIRT OF n iZ FL'JJT INDUSTRIAL ETGIEIE JROBiEKS OBSERVED lit SEVERAL REFINERIES ____________ ESSO Cg-lPA?iY _________ C. K. Barry, Jfc.D. In the time allotted to oe, I should like to discuss the industrial hygiene problems in the Enro Company on tho basic of broad group!npr lntc thc type of exposures. I bcliovo that this approach/ rather thar. by operr- tlon, will point up asro clearly the responsibilities of the industrial hygienist. The following is a partial list; 1. Exposure to toxic gases, vapors, and d o t e 2 . Exposure to toxic fumoc and dusts ' 3. Industrial dermatitis e. Primary irritants . b. Sensitising agents h. Exposure to carcinogens . 5. Excessive heat 6. Excessive r.oieo 7- Inadequate illumination 8. Inadequate ventilation a. General b. Local exhaust 9. Vibrating tools 10. Atmospheric pollution . 11. Sanitary facilities 12. Special problems Tcilc -gases, vapors, and mists occur quits generally throughout the refineries; frea hydrogen culfids in tho processing of oour crudes, to mercury vapor in the instrument ahops', from sulfur dioxide in sludge cook'.n.-, E 0 03119 -2 - to carbon monoxldo in synthesis gas/ and fron benzol vaporo in solvent d~v.ring,to the Biota cssociatsu with drum painting. Othar potential expo sures are to oxidso of nitrogen, aereeptons, oaaonio, ehlorlao, toluol, xylol and othar aromatics, acetone, msthyl ethyl ketone, eethyl propyl ke tone, methyl chloride, carbon totrachlorldo, boron trifluorido, aluminum chloride, hydrogen chlerido, tmlfur trioxide, lead tetraethyl, phenol, sulfur trioxide, aliphatic hydrocarbons both saturated and unsctureted, vaporized lube and grease additives, vaporized and sublinsd plasticizers, alcohoiG fron nsthyl to iso-octyl, ethers, esters, and others. Puces and dusts are encountered almost bg vlacly. There are ve] cl ing fumoo in maintenance operationo end occasional heavy oxpoeuren to sil iceous catalyst dusts, coke dust free equipment cleaning and litharge dust in Doctor eveetoning, oo'oostoo d.uot in insulating opcrc.tlonr. and tn.lc dust In rubber manufacture. Catalyst manufacture offorn e rid',* varioty cf dust . exposures. lube and groacs manufacture offer cxposurcc to diatomaccouc ecrlh, ceveral typec of clays, graphite, motal stearates, lime, nobootoo, mica, rr.d others. MotallitlnG opcratlone, lead burning, sand bleating and pipe rcccnditioning -- all present potential industrial hygiene problems. Tho problem of industrial dermatitis is like tho poor -- always vith us. The problems vary from thoce ansocieted with defatting of the shin, as would occur on intimate contact with certain petroleum fractions, to thaco accompanying tho use of harsh abrasives end detergents in hand cleansers. There ero plant cxpo6uroo to primary ekln lrritanto, such ao the mineral c.rJdo and allinlio, end to mere seriouo substances, as tho chromates. Cutting oim, gaoolino, lute, and Eyesse additives present orportuiiticn for contact with primary lrritones, as well as cenrltizing agentc. i EM003120 ' -3 - Espnnure tc cercinogeno, known and euspoctod, dips heavily into the time anl enorgy of the industrial hygienist. All of ur. are funJllnr with the problem associated vith was proealng. The control of thio problcr:. bovever, may not be sufficiently eeenleto as statistical evidence lo moun ing that the lncldenco of systemic manifestations among thio group ef c-vj-le., ecs lo out of line with that for the general refinery population ana the population at large. The control progrnn nunt be continually observed cn-i reviewed to lncuro that anzimum worker protection 1 b provided. Animal experimentation hoc indicated that certain heavy fracticarfrom catalytic cracking are potentially carcinogenic to man, as are the trrr. from cteam cracking end thermal reforming. The control programs for thee: materials have been discussed in detail and need not be reviewed at thio time czcopt to indicate that they represent a significant effort on ths of industrial hygiene psrsoncol/ past ani proeent, and there lo every rear.on to believe that oven greater industrial hygiene effort will bo required before all groups ccnccrnod with the problem are euro that a satisfactory control program hao boon avolvcd, inaugurated, and lo running smoothly. Escosslve boat crposurcc cannot bo oolved for plant personnel as easily ac fer office employee: vhero the letter con be rent home in the m3.dale of the afternoon if it gets too hot. Such erpsourcE, directly acoceiated with the work, occur in such widely varied activities os pipe- bonding and furnace thermocouple corviclng, certain boiler house o-ctivitico, end working in confined aroao where the equipment hao not cooled down entirely. During cortaln oonaon", eny physical labor of a otrenuour typo, and cnpecinMy if it is performed in direct sunlight, may represent an occupational exposure of no moan significance. EM003121 -1* - A medical opinion has been expressed in certain of the refineries that hearing impairnwrit is relatively casaoa among certain groups of workers, ouch ao the boilermkero. However, high noiae levels are encountered In other parte of the rofinsry as veil. Potentially undesirable noice lovelc might be encountered in the vicinity of high-epoed pumps, in comrrcocor rooms/ in generator rooms of the pewor house8/ to oontion only a feu. Inadequate illumination la a problem that affocte clerical personrcl as much and es often as process workers. Satisfactory illumination oust be considered in closo conjunction with tho joe tc bo porfoiTJCd and is u con-e- eite cf a number of items -- the intensity of the light, its color, contract, amount of glare, and angle of Incidence. Potential difficulties arising from inadequate illumination may bo encountered in any tree of the refinery tut is most likely to arise from clerical activities. Fortunately, the open type of construction enployod In retroleur. refining rcducee tho number end variety of gpnoral ventilation problems v.'.th which tho industrial hygienist mart contend. On tho other hand, there w e numerous instances vhcre enclosures liovo been constructed for the ohcltcr of men and/or equipment,end the ventilation of these epaese then became a problem. Pump houses frequently effor exposures to hydrogen oulfidc; com- preBsor houoes may provide exposuros not only to hydro^n sulfide, but also to methyl chloride, eracnia, or some other refrigerant. in many cones lccal oxhnuot ventilation in required for nporlfj'- operations. Each of us io familiar vith the cproy paint sooth and the laboratory hood, but tho need for this typo of ventilation can bo dcson'nrrtcd for cctalli2iiiioperations, permanent voiding locations, degrcaaero, and drioro, calenders,' and ducting nr.chinco in rubber nms.ufac cure, f EV003122 t -5 - As in the case of illumination, each operation aunt ho considered on an individual basic. If no ventilation is provided, then the need for such control Bust be demonoxrated and asoistence provided to be cure that the system vill be of the correct docign and of suitablo ,apacity. Becnuro ventilation for health protection io eo poorly understood, every Industriel hygienist must bo conversant vith hoed and duct design fan types. and the proper collector to use for the specific contaminant. The capital outlay for a satisfactory ventilating system is far too large to porait unconcern over its future performance by the lrduetrlol hygionlct. Vibratinc tools are in uee throughout the pleats end thoir effect:are of interest from an occupational standpoint. Thooe instruments rang? from electrically driven star drills,to Jackhammers end pavement breakers) rnd from tho use of chipping chicclo, to riveting operations. Tliooo noed to be scrutinised from the rtend paint of frequency and duration of use, tho number of cycles por minute, and fcaturoo peculiar to tho activity that may hove significant medical Implications. Since the smog incident r.t Conors, Pennsylvania, currently being invoeti.0 i.tcd by the Industrial Bygicno Diviricn, U.S. Public Health Service, the specter of atmospheric pollution has haunted the industrial hygienist. Thio individual is trained and experienced on the evaluation and control of atnosphoric contaminants vltliin a plant and it is only a small step, and a very logical one, for him to be called upon for similar functions related to tho diochargo of undocirable contaminants into the atnosphore of a community. All cf tho Esso refinerior nr located in urban areas, and it io net unlikely that tho work load of the industrial hygicnita will be autpented by toing called upon in some degree to assist manege"*)nt in this fiold of ondeavor. t EMO 0312 3  - -6 - With respect to sanitary facilities, It would be desirable to tx assured that all governmental requirements arc saet and exceeded and that an; control program/ aa In tho ceso of the carcinogens, will not bo izrpoded by the lack of lavatories end ebeyert. In cortaln cf our eotnbllohnontc, the lack of suitable facilities, tholr location, or their physical condi tion, is a rery real problem. On the other hand, this condition is being steadily alloviatcd, and tho next few years should find ths cituation much improved. ' . In addition to tho industrial hygiene problems end activities previously enumerated, thcro aro others, real or alleged, that require investigation. lootordny wo hoard of tho cancor problem associated villi the manufacture of iooprspyl alcohol at tho Bcyvay Refinery. Telo problem, considered acuto by the local menagecant bocauso of the employee relatione aspect, hao entailed a tremendous amount of effort and the ond io not in sight. Developing incidonco figuroo for tho Chemical Iroducto area clone utilirod all avnilcblo porsoaaol from tho Nodical Deportment of tho Jersey Company and our own for several weeks, and incidence figurn for the alcohol plant are Just now being completed. Tho etiologic agent is not known tut no effort is being oparod to identify it. Only after the problem has boon voll dofined will it be possible to set up an intelligent control program. Tho facts evolved at Bayuny muct then bo translated, insofar as they are comparable, into a program at Baton Raugc. ' _ Several studios of a similar typo may be in ordor in other refin eries, inasmuch os statements relative to tho incidoncco of certain medical entities have'.bbon made and ohould either be substantiated or disproved. CMB April 11, 19^9 ' EM003124 liiDusTfliAi. f i g d :hf i a o l l t .-b ossivsr jy Tig p/.xrtr.:;: K i m :;py J. V. Bessand, M.S. In 19bS a survey o f the Baytown Bcfinory sod the Spec city riant w&o e i da with the assistance of llr. H. 7. Hendricks. Tho purposes of this survey were to dstoralia the materials and conditions of health significant*.:'! and acquaint the Industrial Hygienict vith the technical operations, materia!.:-, and products vhich arc* handled ir. tho Rofinery and the Specialty Flint, thcoc operationo ard the ntturo cf the materials vein investigated for tho purpose of locating any problem aasociated with refinery operatione that night hive an adverse effect on the health of the employees. Some cf the questions that were studied which seem to bo the most outstanding aro proeented in the oumary attachoa. The subjects shown are by no means c. coaploto list of obeorved industrial hygiene problems aesccieted with refinery opar.itionc and tho manufacture of pctrolcur. specialties. On page cno cf tho Sunary the sanitary phaccr of uho industrial hygiene survey aro briefly presented. Tho question of projection cf ths drinking water supply ana the method cf bacteriological]y chocking uhis for unsuspected sources of contamination vereinvestigated. Ac a result of thin invoetigation ocvoral voeJmc6co wore brought out. The rs .hod of collectii:,-, samples was changed to include samples evory three months from tho foremost endo of the water mains in addition to collecting easpice ru a point very near tho well cite. Th.;.o m v program has diocloood, on on-* or two occonionr, minor contamination vhich hue resulted in a noro careful control over the en tire system. It vas observed during this survey that there were oevoral foun tains and other-.plccco w h e n euployoco obtained tboir tirin':iug water that o '.d not meet with tho minimum c;andnrd from the standpoint of sanitation, f. p-ogram is now underway vich tho ordorn being iosued from the manager of the refinery to replace all unapproved typo of fountains, thuo to olir.inate any E 1*003125 . .. \ I -2 croco infection of the pcroonnol by thio means. The old type of drin'"iiu: water etna ore being replaced by ft ounitary type which keeps the water ana ice separated. Until the new typo cf cans can bo subrtiuutod in every in stance, chlorine tablets are being used to otorilite the drinking water mixture in the insanitary ypo of cans. The refuse and scvsgo dioposel methods were studied. The pod sanitary program ouch as, the construction cf the oovagn dlopooal plant, installation cf coverage linos to esparate the storm and industrial vaoto draino from the sanitary severs, and replacement of all the open-typo privies, has been greatly accelerated slneo this survey. This survey pointed cut through the report that cocnunicoble dlsoaoos were easily tronozltted by various insects under the existing conditions in the Befinery. The washing and sanitary facilitloo available to the employees were reviewed. Beconimndaticns for tho increase in the number of those fa cilities wore mado and in many cooes the noodsd chongoo or additions have been oecured. Thio program has been veil underway since before the connec tion of tho Industrial Eygioniot with the Compeny, but due to the bringing to light of many industrial hygiene problomo which would dictate tho nood for the oxpanaion of the fecilitioo, thin program hao now rocchad the stag? tint the approval of requested facilities from top management Is assured if they are sscential in the modie.al program. By tho beginning cf the yoar 1930, the facilities which were soon to have boon needed will bo ccmploted or undor con struction. In a few locations where toxic materialo were being handled and the nature of the work mace it necessary for the employees to got badly soiled, hot vator hna-been added to tho preecnt wnofcing facilities. The precenco of toxic materials veo brought to the attention of the Managscjnt to Justify the added expense of installing hot water. i EM003126 3 It will only be possible In the few minuter thet have locr. t? loi."u to do to cower the moat outstanding h&zerds osaocletod with toxic nEtcrie?.e. First, from the standpoint of tho number of enloyeoo expoood and the gsnerel preconce of the material througiaut the Befinery, one would have to list hydxog?n and organic sulfldoo. Prior to thlr. ourvoy, oevcrcl cosos of eeriouo eye irritation core to the attention of the Medical Division fraa a low grade exposure of rather long duration to sulfides. At anoihci location this ourvoy dioclocod that there was a rather serious possibility of eyo irritation fron the presenco of hydrogen sulfide. Before any action taken on tho recoeaendation, such as instigating a oteiled study of thic location and recommending adequate ventilation, several eye casco reported to the hospital for treatment fraa tills unit. There still exists the need for e detailed end quantitative investigation of thc-oe sulfldoo in ar.ny other units. Thic gno has boon roeponaiblo for very aeriouc, acute poisoning end aoae casco have resulted in fatallties. Under the existing conditions, thprocautions used, end the concentrations cf oulfldo thet arc nou found, it io the opinion that the danger io not only eyo irritation, but possibly chronic ByBtemic poisoning frea lev concentrtienc. The currently uoed eulfide detector io not cenBltivo enough to pick up concentrations of there rtneo which will produce physiological effects. An adequate appraisal would depend upon using absolute quantitative chemical methods and integrated camples. There aro at least five stilled crafts where possibility of pluj-.M cm e x i o t o T o date no investigation of this problem in the nature of either atmospheric semploo or lead ercrotior vnlueo of body fluids has been carriet. out. This latter will osen be undertaken by the analytical laboratory. Morcury io extensively used by the laboratory analytical group, tto research engineers, and aaadlod in large quanciticc by the Instrument Men. EM0Q3127 - - Thin potential problor has received u greet deal of attention iron the Medicel Division through having employoos with the greatest espoeure report to the hospital so that urine speelaeno could be- collected and sub mitted to the analytical laboratory for analyois. More than 60 sampler have been collected and chocked for uereury oo far. This study lo continu ing. In several locations orreury vapors hove been found by atmospheric r.arn- llcg. In eoas of thcce locations vhore mercury lo rogulerly used.- a vock.iy check is being endo end a record kept by tfce operating personnel or the analytical laboratory at the request of tho departmental supervisor. Other heavy metals which have been located and vo knot* present enough erpoeurr that they should bo studied are zinc, chromate, eodciun, and to a Icccor degree, beryllium. Up to the present time no quantitative values arc avail able on these materials. - Silica end estectes are both extensively usoc in the Refinery by a United number of ecployeec. To date the only quantitative etudy we have* made dealt with the ccapocition of contact clay. The free silicc contont of these clays hao been dotomined by a caroful chemical analysis acrioted by x-ray opoctogroph. It is felt that a study or. tho atmospheric concentrations on allica and silicate dust associated with rclinir.g the furnaces lo cf immediate importance. Silica bricks ore commonly urod in lining the furnaces U6ed in the Refinory. Even where silicate bricks are used, It is known that in high tomporaturas thcoo silicates deconpoco to form very dangerouc forms of silica, cristobolite, end tridymlte. The exposure to asbootos under normal operating conditions In tho Refinery is not*oxtenclvc but frequently it io neceeeory fer an insulator to do work inside of a closed space with limited ventilation, making it pooeib?'' that q high concentration of asbostoc dust may be er.gendered. Also,the PO 03 1 28 -5 - asbestos insulations are* saved by power oava which giro off rather bc.*"*y of dust. Thi h problem should be studied. Xho analysis for free oilice in. contact lubo clnyo disclos-.d U t I the average concentration io about five percent. Thie ia valuable infores-- tion in view of the fact that the Public Health Service has on record an analyclo of a similar typo clay which they claim to have contained 20^ free allien. It further teheovoa uo to cake fairly cooplcto ourveyo of the loca tions vhere silicate is apparently being handled including tho Bubber Flcx.t where talc le applied tc tho finished rubber. Such e detailed study, with cdeplete uot counts at various locations and erpoouree, will be- invaluable for our records chould ire lator bo confronted with carplalnto and claims from foroor employees who might have varied at theso locations. Ko doubt tho dust counts will disclose case unnecessarily dusty operations that can controlled by mechanical meanc. At the A d d Plant and at the SOp Plants low concentrations of sul fur dioxido and trioxidoc arc potential problems. Many complaints hove been received at various tisne from the Aeid Plant and it vac observed that various operations cerriod out there involve irritating concentrations. As a happy result of an active doportant management1s attempt to improve these condi tions the current oituation io much improved. The proof of thooe improve ments was recently brought to our attention vhen it was reported that employees are now requesting tc be acoignod to the Acid Plant rather than tryinr. in every way possible to get transferred away. Hot all of the problems have been solved, but much money for the purpooe of improving this area hao boon opor.t and even moro- Has been requected. In connection with tho sulfur oxide problem, not cnly ir. the Bofir'*ry proper but in the surrounding community, a study has boon instigated to teko E MO 0312 9 -6 - atsosphorlc samples at various distances fron the Fefln^ry to establish information pertaining to the concentrations that nr.y exist under vai veather condltionr. It 1 planned that this study vili te prolonged o\r ~ a period of yrare, If necessary, to establish enough factual analytical da tv thct l declolen cen b"* reached ar to the entent of the proa lea w.'th vari-' gases. A preliminary lnvestig-ifcicn ar to the extent of vegetation dc:ir( n. the vicinity of the Fefinery has alreeiy bees started. 2t vac oboervo; ing this survey that fairly high coaccntjatlons of nitrogen dioxide exicied in four email bulldirgt: cecociatrd vita tfcr. Acid Plnnt. Acmocphric n-:v'<'' discloced that the nitrons dioxide exposure wen a very cerious problei. t 3 anyone having to enter the building even for a short periel. Warning cir-ir. have been placed in tbio area ant. 1Uuagement has ordered fiat the er.f.1 r.c.rrc design adequate ventilation to reduce the concentrt!one of nitrogen (l!e-<A to those that arc rero^iized 3 hc.r:ileoe. Concentrations of bcaaol vere detected in thu atmosphre m the J-'.ti. Plant., in sane of the laboratories, and at the Bottle- laundry vhich vi:re llevac. to be excessive iVr prolonged er.pocurr.-. Ac e. roiult o! the ec.ucr..lorn vork accczplichcd through thio survey, the ICU Plant aujsrvleor hnr initiated the rnovai of benzene and the substitution of toluene In its stead. 7hij Eubstltutiea dees not cortrol the problem entirely., but it dlainiehcr thv seriousness of It. Other oroxalic r, Including toluene and xylol, cu'ionr'o, and o t h ' rr ere manufactured In large quantities. These exposures r.re coMldere:; lr. nr.r.y cr.ar-a to be vi,thin.,accepted limits, but Ll.erc* it) no ucy of being oure i:i It- ,,1.: eiT- :l that they nay produce on the health of the employers vltho-it making c-.iif<.-ier! atmospheric examinations to cstabliih the rang'' and deration of exprcie-r. EMO 0313 0 - 7 - It la a eatocn practice to use chlorinated hydrocarbon to c >cr.u electrical motors and various instruments in tvo or more departments of the Refinery. This problem la being currently studied in detail vlth the assistance of the safety engineers. This study will include not only the Refinery and the Specialty Plant, but alao the Production Deportment ervl Eumble Pipe Line Company's operations. Varcol wae found being unnd freely without regard to the aro matics It contains. *In a fev unite heat, which has been the cause of various fatigue eases as well es the source of many ecmplainto, was oboerv-d. Tics hit not permitted any detailed study of the problsns associated with heat and noifl", but it is felt that it is important enoutfi that such e study is Justified. In moat caoec, these studies heve been carried out by the operating personnel in cherge cf the vs-ious departments vlth the cxoiotonce of the- laboratories which are available to then. The Medical Division has eerv-d ao consultant on making available approved typo analytical methods to be used ir atmospheric tectlng, analyeIs of urine ccnples, and to interpret the moults that the analyst reports. In some departments the supervisor tea not felt that they had qualified personnel, eupplloB, equipment, cr tbs time to mnk" these indicated aurveyo. In these eaaeo, when possible, the Industrial Ey^Jenir has carried cut the chemical and engineering services. In some instar.cer th" equipment and time were not available to the Industrial Hygienist and he hna turned to the Industrial hygione services of the Tunas State Department of Health for assistance cn a quantitative apprcinal of the toxic materials krovr to be present in the atmosphere. These public officials have been very co operative in every voy in trying to further the general v:c11-being of the Humble employees. i E PO 03131 I - b - Time does sot permit ne to .touch on many of the other probVrnr, e o of which era os major u theso, thct have been uncoterod.nor ic tlUe the meeting to report on the sanitary engineering erpect o:' the work which has been carried out in clooo cooperation with the civil englneere of the Compeny. It is sufficient to aey that, ao a result of these activities, th'< various engineering standard* and guides have been rewritten with the viev in mind of mating it possible for the unlnltlctod engineer to 6upcrvico construction of adequate water end sewage facilities to protect employeec' health This phase of tho problem poets to here met with complete.- approvi i of lteaagemoat. JVH April 12, 19^9 I t EM003132 t APfTIOIX Sl-yAHT OF BtiBLIMIKABT INDUSTRIAL BYGIEHE SUn?&3 AT BOTTOWN Cond.it-on sad Facility Drinking Water, Fountains and Cooler* Sewage Disposal WcEliir and Sani tary Facilities Potential Dloeaaco Trenty-one Coacrmi cable D1 ooeocs Ten Cojncunicable Diseases Skin Irritation (dentatitio) and SyBtoxie Poisonlnc Depertoont cr Craft Affected By Bocccjer.datlen_______ Turnaround and Labor Gangs, and Twenty or Kore Unito All Units end Peroonnsl Mechanical, labor, ProceooinE ord Others EM003133 2 SHKUrr OP gIIMIA3T IRTOSTRIAI. KYGIEi.T SURVEY AT 3\7TCMU Material or Condition Hydrogen end Organic Sulfiden lead Mercury Zinc4 Metal Fucos C h r o m ten and Beryllium (siieiit Exp.) Slice and Acboston Potential Dlseasen Eyo Irritation and Ulceration. Systemic Poisoning Plumbien Mercurialiso Pirsc Fever, and Systemic Poisoning Lung Cancer and Skin Tuner Silicosic, Fiberooic, Erythema & Cancer cf Lungr Department or Crafts Affec -oc By Bccooaa?ndntictin Distillation, Light I ndc, Cracking, Treaters, Punpir-r. Gauging, 1'nchnnical & Cfirr;' Labor, Painting, Welding end Burning and licchlnc Chop Instrument, Laboratory, Warehouse and Pilot Plant Mechanical Painting, Mechanical t labor Brick Hasen L Sclporo, Insulators, Laborers and Pipe tendero EM00313 SPM-iAKT OF PRSIIHIKABT INDUSTRIAL EYSIEKT SURVEY AT BAYTQWK Material or Condition Siliertes and Coks lust - Sulfur Dioxide and Trionide and Acid Mist KitroG.cn Dioxido Potential Effects Fitrocs, and Poeoibly Lung Tunore Irritation, A stinte., and Poisoning E u e of Longs DepartDont or Craft Affected by Rccorraendetions Contact, Straining and Blending, Cradling Coila and labor Treaters, Acid Plant, Battorlee, and S02 Plants Acid Plant and Welding i * EM003135 i - k- SUMMARY OF PRELIMINARY INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SURVEY AT BAYTOWN (Continued) Material or Condi tlon Benzol Toluol, Xylol and Boavy Arcoatico Varocl and High Aromatic Naphtha Chlorinated Hydro:arbonn Beat and . Noise Potential Effects Bleed Dlcceor and Cancer Bleed Dloecoc Dematitis end Blcod Diaeaoo Clrrhoolc of Liver General Malnlco, Exhaustion and Docfneoc Dpartaient or Craft Affected by Peconscndetlonn MEE Plant, Inbonitory and Bottle Launtxy MEK, SO2 Plantr. LEFJ, NRU, and P & C Units Generally Deed Throughout Refinery Instrument Electrical Maintenance Crcvo, Punpero, Boiler and Power Bouebo Fereonnel i EMO 03136 SUKUVR7 OF IHDDSTRIa L ETGIEK2 PROBLEMS IF. CCEIHSCTIOH WITH SOME STAHCjiHD OIL DEVELOPMENT CC!3MIT'S ESSO IABOFATORIES RESEARCH IBOJECTS AT BATON ROUGE (LOUISIANA) BEFItERY__________________ . Boy S. Bcnsib, A.M., E.K. For the pest five or el* years, periodic visits have been made to the Baton Rouge (Louisian) Ho finery to discuss nov research projectc vl ih those directly concerned end to inspect recent pilot plants, in order to insure that the necessary precautionary measures are incorporated as an Integral part of proeoss instructions end included in the design of nov equipment. Many of the research projects include nov compoundr ouch cr tetrahydrophthalinidc End perch Loronercepten, the toxicity or phyoiolord cal effects of vhich are unknown although their physical and chemical proper ties are perfectly fcniliar. In such caoec, ve have en:savored to obtain the mi Going torieoloclcal information through surveyo of the available liter ature, vioits to plontc manufacturing or working with the material in question and by personal discussions with qualified Individuals who have studied the toxic properties of the particular compound or similar ones. Esso laboratories at Baton Rouge arc now carrying on a numlior of new projects vhich present definite industrial hygiono problems end health hasardo. For patent security roasono It vlll not be fecEiblo to dlocucc some of the most difficult problems but merely mention a few of the compounds involvod; however, oeveral typical projoctc will be procented bo illustrations of scao-of the problems encountored and a list of those vhich have beon con sidered in detail will be given at the conclusion of this paper. For extucpla; R2T0RTIKG OF OIL SPAIE - At the present time ovor a thouoand tone of crushed oil shale from Rifle, Colorado are being fluidised end retoricd for t!:' United Stateo Burouu of Mines at the rate of about 20 tons per day. A! very little is knovn regarding the physiological eifecto of Amorican Chr.lc Oilc, Scottieh Shale Oils, vhich aro similar in composition, hovo burn definitely E KO 03137 -2 - how: to bo carcinogenic/ consequently, American Slmlx? CiJo may bo pi-ccu-rd to be carcinogenic alco. Is addition to the poaciblo hazard due to chin contact vlth shale oilt, the inhalation of oil micto or vaporc and the cpcrl -shale duot are potential bozordn. Then too, aromatic compounds of nitrcpu, principally as amines, and. sulphur, preoont as thioplioncs or merccptnnc, a-y also be sources 'of trouble. EYDPOCAHSOff STHTESSTS - A oerios of small pilot unite, an we ll r.o one or tvo lorgsr ones, are now operating at temperature* ranging from l;80?. to 9yO F. end presBuref ranging from etoospherlc to 3001< poundo per cqunre inch using various types cf catalysts. The principal ore of-these synthetic hydrocarbon operations is ths 0X0 Syntheolo, in which ai> Olefin, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide produce an aldehyde m the presence of en iron or cobalt catalyst. Thic aldohydo lo then convort*d into an alcohol nucli fir ontnnol. Tho main points of possible hazards arc the Cerbon Monoxide in the oynthrcJc gas which lo under 3000 pounds preoouro, Cobalt Carbonyl preoont ao tho catalyct in ctop 1,and the Aldohydcc precont as product from step 1 and uo feed to otep 2 . e CATALYSTS IHVESTIGATIPX5 - A definite pncunonoconloslc hazard is encountered In the grlndlns, blending, screening and pilling operations in volved in the production and study of now catalystc. A new hydroforcing catalyst lo now being made which requires some exposure to Fontaool and Mercuric Chloride. Other catalysts require the uce end baudling of very finoly divided (leso then 3 microns) charcoal end iron orido, ao well ao com pounds of Cobalt, Manganese and EeryIlium. Arrangements were recently made to pill *.'5,000 poundo of an oxida tion catalyct made by the Davidson Chemical Compary. Tfcir entniyot contntr.3 about 6.5 percent Vanadium Pentoxids, the balance being a cilicate. "Ludcr.',' a liquid ollicate, is added to facilitate the pilling. E MO 0313 8 . * CEEKICAL BEFn riKQ OF CASQUES - A nsv cad more effective nrthod of refining EAsoline and naphthas ic being inveotigated in vhich a colloidal Sodium Paste in Toluol, Sulphuric Acid end Formaldehyde will be employed. METALLIC MEPCUBT - A hazard continuously oncounCored around re search laborctorieo results from leaving spilled metallic Mercury lying around to contaminate the atmosphere. This unsafe practice le usually prevalent in Inotrunont Bepnir Shopo. The uso of Marcury Boilere operated at a toaperrture of 900F. and a pressure of 80 pounds per square inch also present a definite Mercurial!em hazard unleco certain precautionary measures are carofully ob served. C-OIL PROJECT - Dioxane, a very volatile and inflenaablo solvent, ic used in the preparation of C-011. Besides caucing oorlouc kidney injury, Dioxane cloo attacks the liver seriously. . P0L7MFP.IZATTOU PROJECT! - A vide variety of stutiioo are under vny for the production of synthetic resins and rubber-like materials. Thece etud- ies not only expose the investigators to the known hazards cf such materials its Methyl Chloride, Acryolnitrile, ana the vnriouo antioxidants ond inhibitoro, but nouer irritant compounds ouch ee Boron Trichloride, Qnd Broxinated Xyloncc end Pentanes. ISTERCrNT AiyriATES - Considerable active interest is being taken in the production of a determent alkylate which is obtained by the alkylation of Benzene with a Cjl2 Olefin fraction using Aluminum Chloride aa a catelyot. The hazardous materials used in this projoct being Benzene and Aluminum Chloride . SPECIAL S'lUTlTES ATTD DCTA17DO REPORT? - Dcitailc-d information Includin'.* nocesctry preeauticnary metouros have been secured and supplied to thocp dirnctly concerned In the Eoco Leboretorloo, the Medical Dopertreent and Eafoty EH003139 Depcrtaent at Baton Rouge Refinery, upon the follovins oub.'ects: 1. Vapor-Proof Flashlights 2. Safe Beating Units ' 3. Determination of Formic Acid in Urine U. Measures for Safeguarding the Sampling and Handling of KTEEIIE end various Intermediate Products. 5. Suggestions for Construction of Kev Lcad-Blendlng Room in Connection vith Rsoo laboratories. 6. Periodic Inspections of Equipment In Fischer Synthecic Pilot Oporations. 7. One-Way Lock for Door of 1-Ray Laboratory to Prevent Lostage of Harmful Faye end Exposure to Workers. 8. OCTTL AICCHOLS end DIOCTYL PHUiAIATS. 9. U-Pilot Plant Precautionary Itoesuree. 10. Precautionary Measures for Safeguarding the Use of Liquid Envelope For Protection of Stoncilling on Drums for Export Service. 11. Physiological Effects of Ultrasonic Radiations in Connection vith Production of Catalyst Col. 12. Properties and Probable Physiological Effectr of AliTYL ALUMINUM CHLORIDES. . . 13. Physiological Effocts of ZIRCONIUM TETRACHLORIDE. - It. "DAXAD-11" -- Properties and Probable Physiological Effectc. 15. Ph7Siologiccl Effects of BROMIMATED COMPOUNDS. 16. * Physiological Effects of Cg to C10 ALDEHYDES. 17. Physiological Effectc and Suggested Precautionary Measures for Safeguarding tho Handling of BR0MIK2. 18. Safeguarding the Handling of OCTTL ALCOHOLS. E hO031*0 19. Physiological Effects of ISOHIOROHE. 20. Physiological Effocte cf DIOCTTL JBT3AIATL'. 21. Fhyoioaogical Effaets of BCTYRIC and IS0BITE3IC ACIDS. 22. Physiological Effacta of AGERITE STALITE. 23. BORON TRIFLUCRID2 : Ito Torlcity end Soac Procaulicnary Measures for lto Use and Handling. S k . FhysioloGicel Effects of DI-CICLOIENTADIEin:. 25. Physiological "ffacts of DIVINrLBENZSHE. 26. ' Explosivo PropJrtieo of Activated Carbon Povder. 27. Physiological Effoctc of ESRYHIUM SAITS. 28. Datermlnation of Snail Concentrations of Q30IE in Working Atnoopherea. 2. Oil-Shale and Shale Oilc: Their Physiological Effects and Precautionary tonsures for Safeguarding Thoir Handling. ' 30. Physiological Elfocte of C0H4LT CAKEONYL. ' 31. Precautionary Measures for Safeguarding Us; of Mercury Boilers. 32. Physiological Effects and Precautionary tonsures for Handling C0B\1T, Finely-Divided COBALT, end COBALT CARBOimS. 33. BORON TRICHLORIDE : Its properties, Physiological Effects and Suggertod Precautionary toasuroB. 31*. PERCHLOROMETHYLMEF.CAPrAN : Properties ant' Fhyoiologier.l * * Response. 35- Toxicity end Physiological Effects of Ci. tc C ^ ALDETYTES. 36. Physiological Effects of COBALT NAFnTHE!MTE. E MO 031A 1 37. rhysiological Effcsts and Frecautlonary fccjurec for 1,U DIQXAKE. 36. Besars aTM* Freeautianary Heaoures to Sa>guar th~ Eaadliag of SODIUK PASTE. 39. Deteraination of COBVIff CAR33HTL. ^0. Liquid Soep Dicponnero. 41. Diah-Waehing Equipoeat and Dioh-Weahing Tochnlqucc. B.S. Booei.b, E.H. April 12, 19^9 EH003142 . * N. I ~ StJKMART Or PIATT: IKKSTRIAL ETTIIKE PJCSLf.T STAHJARl' OIL CO!-G;.rC (H.J.)__________ H. V. Hendricks, K.C. Mr. J. W. HaeBoad ban pointed out certain problems minting H" thu Suable Oil & Refining Ccapeny aad has indicated the general nature of tin; IndustrialHygiene Survey which von made at the Baytown Refinery lect yc.-r. In this connection I should like to enphcslso one or tvo points concerning this survey. During the course of this study approximately seventy liirec ent operations and areas in the refinery vere noted vhere dotailod ctudi'-r for tho purpooc of evaluating those opeelfie ozpoouroo ebould be nodf.. V: order to illustrate the extent of thio vorJ} it is estimated that ccaplet? evaluation of these exposures will involve tho collection and annlyrir of several hundred different samples. This vill have to be followed by an one-, lysis of the data thus obtained and later by the development of proper con trol procedures for the alleviation of the exposures. . Hr. T. F . Hatch has outlined certain brood priceiploe whirl. c r r. basic to industrial hygiene. At this time I should like to point ouv c few things which have happened in tho Company within tho pact year, duo to t.hr- fact that thooe principles have not been applied. Within one unit o' the Company two deaths occurrod from exposurcc to carbon totrochlcrldc. It appears that a proper understanding of the behavior of thio type matrrinl miglit have avoided thio oituation. In another affiliate of tho Company a group of workers were rnpocccl to crolno gas which resulted in e certain number of doatho. Here ecc.iu r. study of the operations involving tho nrslnic compoundo end a bettor urc*.r- stending of'.these materialo probably would havo prevented this lncicrnt. From another affiliate vc have rocei.vod ccrrcopondencc dcncribing to vr - tain complaints on tho part of various groups of workmen and giving uo ui E PO 0314 3 / t information covering the clinical picture of the individual involved. Wo were asked to give on opinion as to vhother or not theoo coaplalntD were Justified or not. In reviewing the details described to us,it was observed that the picture presented to us outlined classical picture of lead poison ing natal fuse fever, and other occupational ills. The above potato aro mentioned to illustrate the fact that there are a great number of problems resulting from the Impact of the working environment of the man and that these situations are not bolng rceoGnlzod. In many cases it is highly desirable to obtain information on cer tain exposures, although that Information might be nogstivc. As an example of this, one affiliate of the Company la currently involved in litigation over an exposure of clay dust which ic alleged to have produced a certain type of pneumoconiosis followed by tuborculoais. A study of this plant and the Job which this individual vas doing indicatoo that the typo dust in question probably is incapable of producing disabling lung pothole gy and further, the levels of dust exposure wore low and not in the order of magnitude which could be considered dangerous ovon for a duot carrying greater amounts of froe silica. In a situation such as this, a record of dust coucto over a period of years would be invaluable &o ovidence in combating unfounded claims for dis ability. ' Tho problem of carcinogens within the Company has boon fully discussed and I am sure that you are well acquainted with the various environmental as pect and the time which should be devoted to these problem: by the Industrial' Hygienist. ' The matter of atnosphoric pollution has been mentioned. Tbio problem is indigenous to refinery operations and exists in severs! of the effillato companioo. Thore is currently a great deal of interest and activity In ti.., E MO 0314 4  . I 4 I J ' Sw. - - - .1 - field ef atmospheric pollution end Goverjmcntal agencies.. including tie U.S. Public Health Service, are considering thin a metier of public health dimsneionfl. Certainly thore nro both public health and medical Jupilca tions asoociated with atmospheric pollution cod the aodir.al depertaenvr. of induotry" of necessity inherit certain responcibilltier. In order to illustrate the importance which ctmonpherie pollution at times may obcuicc, 1 wish to brine to your attention two situations involving affilioteo of the Company. One affiliate operating in a foreign oroo has been oued for One Million Dollars and hes paid (2 5 0 ,0 0 0 in connection with the atmospheric pollution canned by their refinery. Another effillate of the Company ic currently considering locating a refinery in a foreign area. The local Government of this particular area has brought up the problem of what vill be the extent of air pollution and vantc to be acaurod that no problem vill exist. In thic situation the matter of atmospheric pollution may determine whether or not the refinery ic located at tho proposed site. There are a number of problems within the Company vhich dc not lend tbencelveo readily to the usual field methods of investigation employed by Industrial Hygienists. These problems ennnet be evaluated by the collection and analysis of samples as io normally done vitli many routino industrial hygiene problems. These particular situations con be epproachod only by statistical methods with the proper correlation of medical and employment records with the clinical findings or. the exposed groups of vorkero. Problems of this-kind arc illustrated by the vux operations at Bajonno and Batcn Rouge the current investigation being carried out in the Chemical Froductn Division at Bayway, . the vorhers who in the past have bean exposed to carbon tetrachloride in operating the baraacl plant at Baton Rouge,and otherc. EM00314 5