Document v1BOw1j71Jyeb7gzD2agYxmw9

FILE NAME: RT Vanderbilt (RTV) DATE: 1983 Nov 11 DOC#: RTV 100 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Consultant Report RE the Content of Tremolite Asbestos in Talc McCrone Research Associates UJISTEHEO OWiCB 2 MuCRONE M EW S, B E L SIZ E LANE, LONDON ' NW3 5 B S TELEPH ON E r 01 - 43$-2282/$ T E L E X : 6 9 5 2 3 8 7 M gfJESEA RCH TELEG RA M S MeREOEARCH LONDON NW3 tf-yv-/ Ltd. /- ' Contract research and selerttific instruments Microscopy, X*ray diffraction, mineralogy Mr. R.W. Owens ' Amtale Association Ltd. . 7 Queens Avenue Dale Street Liverpool L2 4TZ $ 1 1 November 1983 Dear Mr. Owens: ' Me refer to the letter received from R. T . Vanderbilt Company Inc., dated October 31, 1983, relating to the analysis of the 3X Talc carried out by us for Expand!te Ltd. in London' {reference our Reports ME 907 and O ME 907A). He apologize for the error in the reports, which stated that an esti mated quantity in exchss of 90% tremolite asbestos was found in the 3X Talc. This should havO^read in excess of 90% tremolite. The actual % tremolite asbestos content is between 30% and 40%. Since receipt of the letter from R.T. Vanderbilt Company M e . , we re-examined the 3X Talc samples submitted for analysis by Expandite Ltd., using optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The results of this re-analysis, with estimated quantities, are as follows: Antigorite<2% Calcite <2% 4SK Quartz <2% Talc <4% . , Tremolite >90% . The antigorite was identified by X-ray diffraction analysis. $ The results of the ro-examination agree with those reported to Expandite Ltd. in Report m e 907, dated 21 September 1983. The high per centage of tremolite in the 3X Talc has also been confirmed. An additional study of the Talc by optical microscopy had shown that the tremolite occurs as prisms, needles and fibres. Respirable fibres are defined as those particles having a length greater than 5pm, a width less than 3pm, with an aspect ratio of greater than 3:1. within the submitted samples of 3x Talc, between 30% and 40% of the tremolite particles conformed to the regulatory definition of respirable fibres. It is known that fine fibres become airborne much more readily than large particles, especially if the large particles are platy. In order to- assess the amount of fibres that would be encountered in an airborne cloud Directors: Dr. J. B. Nelson M iss J. Premice 1 . RegtypS0008& 079 8 __ J _ _ Mr. R.W. Owens (continued) 2 1. of 3X Talc, about 10 grams of the powder was placed into a polythene bag, 12" x 8 " , and this was gently shaken. .A sample of the airborne dust generated inside the bag was collected on a membrane filter, " through which air was drawn at 2 litres p er minute. This dust was evaluated by optical microscopy and it was found that the percentage of respirable fibres in the airborne dust was between 70% and 80%. This indicates that work on the Talc powder enhances the percentage of respirable asbestos in an airborne cloud. vi One of the recommendations of the U.K. Advisory Committee on Asbestos, 1979, is that, wherever possible, a substitute for asbestos should be used. It is known that there are many sources of fibre-free Talc and,to comply with this recommendation, one of these should be used `S in place of Talc which is significantly contaminated with asbestos. - The U-K. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, 1974, places the respon sibility on all manufacturers and Suppliers to warn users of potentially damaging materials in their products-, and failure to do so is to contra vene this Act. Individual products containing asbestos in the U.K. are voluntarily labelled ag such by the manufacturers,, even when the product is well bonded with virtually no potential for the asbestos fibres to become airborne. . "X Your method of transport of the 3X Talc containing loose asbestos in such concentrations, in paper sacks, is contravening all British regulations. . If you have further enquiries regarding the suitability of this material for use in British industry, please contact either ourselves, the Asbestos Information Centre or the U.K. Health and Safety Executive. 1 *. Yours sincerely for M R A Ltd, gn/ph Jean] prentice Gary Nichols ' '''VSS'* . J' 'r'\V' qiiStMSi'' iV.-iV. *, ccjDr. R.C. Moore Expandita Ltd. 1-9 Chase Road London NW10 6PS H.B. Vanderbilt R.T. Vanderbilt Cosine 30 Winfield street Norwalk, Connecticut <" D6855, USA Mr. Ian M, Stewart waiter c. McCrone Assoc. Inc. 2820 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60615, USA Mrs. Lucy B. McCrone Senior Research scientist Walter C. McCrone Assoc. Inc. 2820 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60616, USA WES000835 T e l : #29173 kwwpuunw Amtalc Directors: F. W- Brown B , S - Taylor B . f . S- Lew is f). G.M- Dingwall Association RBgiotatad No.: 371739 England VAT Registration No.: 1B3 5587 43 L i m i t e d 0CT24 Registered Office: 7 QUEEN AVENUE, DALE STREET, LIVERPOOL L2 4TZ Mr.Allan M.Harvey, R.T.Vanderbilt Company Inc., 50 Winfield Street Norwalk Connecticut 06855 United States of America Our ref:RW0/PS Wednesday 19/10/1983 Dear Sir, With reference to previous correspondence regarding International Talc grade 3Xwe have today received a communication from our customer Expandito Ltd. London, a photocopy of their letter is attached herewith, contents being self explanatory. Perhaps you would like to take the opportunity of communicating direct with Dr.R.OoMoore on this particular subject,copying all correspondence to the undersigned at our Liverpool address. Thanking you for your prompt attention. ENC/ Tours truly, .f ^SjSOClAKON LIMITED R.W,OWENS WES000402 Exponcilte Umlted 1-9Chase Rood London NW16PS Telephone; 01-965 8877 Telex 25420 ExdifeG expandite CobJe; ExponjoinfLondon Mr R V Owens Everitt & Co- Ltd 7 Queen Avenue Dale Street Liverpool 12 4TO Dots- 13 October 1983 Oufttel: RCM /AF YourRel; Dear Sir RB! TALC 3X With reference to our telephone conversation I enclose a copy of the . original report fro McCrone Research Associate, together with a second report confirming their original findings. In view of your reports that Talc 3X does not contain asbestiform treoolite, we were most surprised b y the first report and hence asked for a second examination to be carried out* In the latter case X-ray diffraction analysis wa3 used and it was then stated that the same results were obtained. We have therefore had to take the view that Talo 3X should be treated in the same way as asbestos and as there is a Burmah directive that asbestos should not be used by its subsidiaries, we intend to stop using the product unless you can convince us that the McCrone analysis is incorrect. Please therefore let me know the views of 8 T Vanderbilt. It is possible that I will be in the US shortly and I may also be able to discuss the subject with them direct. Yours faithfully ll )C DR R C MOORE c.c. R Sloane P Lane Enc WES000403 McCrone Research Associates ReoisrnoeoW c c ? M eCRO N E M EW S, B E U SI2E LANE, LONDON NW3 5BG TELEPHONE; 0) -4 3 5 .1 2 6 2 /3 T E L E X ; B9523B7 MCRESEARCH T E L E G R A M S ; MCRESEAKCH LONDON NW3 . Contract research and scientific instruments Microscopy, X-ray diffraction, mineralogy Expandite Ltd Your Ref: Order No. a 1611. 1-9 Chase Road ' Our Ref: MB 907 GN/jb- London' NW10 6PS '' ' 21st September 1983 For the attention of Mr R sloane Quality Control Manager . MICROSCOPICAL EXAMINATION OF TWO TALC SAMPLES These two samples of talc labelled Industrial talc 3X and Talc S2 300 were brought to the laboratory by Mr H sloane of Expandite Ltd. We were requested to examine the two samples for the presence of asbestos fibres and. for the quartz content in sample S2 300. '' EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE: . Both samples of talc were examined using optical microscopy. Several sub-samples of the talc powders were mounted on to glass microscope slides in liquids having refractive indicas specific for tremolite asbestos and quartz. Each specimen was examined using a polarising light microscope fitted with a dispersion staining objective. This technique of examination is extremely sensitive for the detection of trace quantities of contaminating particles. During the examination of both samples of talc t other mineral species were detected and these are recorded in the results table. The quantities of contaminating minerals were estimated and these values are also g i v e n `in the results. RESULTS ; Talc Sample Industrial 3X was white in colour whilst talc sample S2 300 was pale grey. . The following mineral were detected in each sample:- S2 300 Industrial Talc 3X 1. Carbonate -1%. 2. Quartz 1-2%. 3. Chlorite i-1%. 4 Tremolite, none detected. 5. Talc, the remainder. 1. Carbonate -1%. 2. Quartz 1-2%. 3. Talc 2-4%. 4. Tremolltq the remainder. CONCLUSION: The microscopical analysis performed on the two submitted talc samples has shown that talc S2 300 contained between 1 and 2% of quartz with no tremolite asbestos. The second sample, Industrial talc 3X contained in excess of 90% tremolite asbestos. For M R A Ltd Directors : Dr. J. B. Nelson Mrs. D, Nelson Nichols. M iss J. Prentice Mfj. $. Mork 7" Registration N o: 811079 L^WE S000404 -VI-P <i>f-lCt. 2 .VrC^O N g W l'W S. H , VJ / v C / K >W J f r .l >;)'*(. n'C : 01 J 3 5 - 0 2 .3 ,r`l f X : YFll^a*MSl .MCH Ul'..-.r-Vi' Rxpendfte Limited J-9 Chi-se Road .onoh, N W }0 6PS For the attention of rar_._R^_ floa.no, Quality Control Manager Oev Rr-f-. ME 90?A 28 Feptembe-r, 1983 EXAMINATION OF TALC SAMPLE This second sample of talc, labelled "Industrial Talc 3X" , was sent to the laboratory by Mr. R. sloane of Expandite Limited. Our previous report (ME 907, dated 23.9.83), gives the results of a microscopical analysis of the same material, but taken from a different bag. The purpose of this second examination was to ascertain the extent of the contamination of the talc with trcmolite asbestos and to confirm the identity of the tremdite using X~ray diffraction analysis. EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE i A microscopical examination of the second sample of talc showed that it contained minerals identical to those found in the first sample xeported in ME 907. An X-ray diffraction powder analysis was carried out on a specimen of the submitted sample. The developed photographic film was examined visually. R ESU LT S; The microscopical examination of this sample of industrial talc 3X has shown that it was composed of mineral species identical to those found in the first sample, and in similar quantities. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the fibrous component within the sample was treiuolite asbestos. This comprised the major proportion of the sample (in excess of 90%), and the presence of a minor quantity of talc and quartz was confirmed by XRD. CONCLUSIONS; This second analysis of industrial talc 3X has confirmed the findings details in report ME 907. The fibrous nature of the tremolite would require that precautions be taken if this powder is allowed to become airborne. The Health & Safety Executive Guidance Note EH10 (Revised April, 1SS3) states in paragraph 9 that Defector*: Dr. J. S. Nelson M iss J. Picmico vm & om w -811073 .. r ' -- . ? - ' f. . .> i''- v O ' '* ' '/ol ' r:i: ciust consisting gl ron .Ir.ino oi.hwz t>ty-3 v>f erbeilos bnl. not r'OCidolite or Amc-s.ite" '' uyper .limits."Of p^;.'T.te exposa-,re should not oxce-ed 1 fibre per ml of air when measured os a tine weighted average over a four-hour period. ' . For M K A Ltd WES000406 Amtalc Association D/rtctooe F. W- Brown B . $ Taylor G. S ` Lew is f t - G M - Dingwall HrB.S*B.Wooldridge, /* ftegtstoted No.: 371739 England VAT Aspiration No.: 163 S597 43 Vanderbilt Export C o r p o r a t i o n 30 Winfield Street, Norwalk, Connecticut 06855* United States of America. Our ref:RV/0/PS Limited Aoglstered Ottico: 7 QUEEN AVENUE DALE STREET, /ERPOOL 4TZ Monday 19/12/1983 Dear Sirs, With further reference to your letter dated 1st November, as requested a further sample of International Talc JX was forwarded to McCrone Research Associates Ltd., London. We have now received a communication from them upoh this matter, and same is enclosed herewith. We also enclose herewith the Invoice No.129^5,and_would appreciate receiving remittance from your goodselves for this matter xn the near future. ENC/; Yours truly. ASSOCIATION LIMITED R.W.OWENS. McCrone Research Associates neGM5T*nE> OFFJCe 2 MCCRONE M EW S, S E L S IZ E LANE, LONDON NWS 5 a e TELEPHONE: 01-435.2282/3 TELEX: 6952387 McRe s EaRCH TELEGRAMS: McRESEARCH LONDON NWS GN/smr Ltd. Contract research and scientific instruments Microscopy, X-ray diffraction, mineralogy Amtalc Association Ltd., 7, Queen Avenue, Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 4TZ. Your Ref: International Talc 3X. Our Ref: ME 922 For the Attention of Mr. R.W. Owens 5th December, 1983 EXAMINATION OF INTERNATIONAL TALC 3X . This 800 gramme sample of International Talc 3X was sent to the Laboratory by Mr. R.W.- Owens of Amtalc Association Ltd., We were requested to examine the talc and to report on its constituents. EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE. ' The submitted sample of 3X Talc was examined using Optical Microscopy and X-Ray Diffraction. Optical Microscopy. Several sub-samples of the talc powder were mounted to glass microscope slides in liquids having refractive indices specific for talc and other mineral species known to be possible contaminants. Each specimen was examined using a polarising light microscope fitted with a dispersion staining objective. The estimated quantities of the mineral species found was based upon the number of particles present X-Ray Diffraction Analysis. An X-Ray Diffraction pattern for the 3X Talc was recorded onto photographic film and the interplanar spacings were measured. The mineral phases giving rise to the complex X-Ray Diffraction pattern were identified and these are listed in the Results table. RESULTS The mineral species found in the sample of 3X Talc are given below with their estimated quantities according to the number of particles. Talc Calcite Quartz Antigorite Tremolite: non-fibrous fibrous -5% < 2% <2% <5% -- 52$ -s.35% g o n t . . ,/2 Directo; Or. J. B. Nelson Mrs. D. Nelson M is s J. Prentice Mrs, S. M*rfc Registration N o : 81107S Alatale Association Ltd ME 922 5.12.83 Results cont.. Tremolite accounted for between 85 and 90% of the talc sample. Approximately 35% of the samples consisted of Tremolite particles which conform to the regulatory definition of respirable fibres (length greater than 5 micrometres, width less than 3 micrometres with an aspect ratio of greater than 3:1). The remainder of the Tremolite was non-fibrous. CONCLUSIONS. The submitted sample of International Talc 3X consisted of mainly of Tremolite of which a significant proportion was fibrous. Talc and...Antigprite had quantities not exceeding 5%. Quartz and Calcite were present in minor quantities. Gary Nichols. enc. WES000409