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REV 8(E) DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A. LOUISIANA DIVISION P. O. BOX ISO PLAQUEMINEi LOUISIANA 70764 -... 6U4 JBO-HUUU ' INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE REPORT " 1 1,1 ASBESTOS! SURVEY - CHLOR-ALKALI II BLOCK 36 LOUISIANA DIVISION CRI NO. FILE NO. DATE LAD-IH-81.07 July 31, 1981 DATE %l SUMMARY The asbestos in air monitoring for the first half of 1981 has been completed in the Chlor-Alkali II block. Survey results were satisfactory and well below the acceptable threshold limit value of 2 fibers per cubic centimeter greater than five (5) microns in length. The highest breathing zone sample recorded was 1.17 fibers per cc of air. Due to the low results obtained in routine time-weighted sampling, it is recommended that short dura tion excursion sampling be emphasized in future surveys. Good housekeeping, strict safe operating procedures, and a constant vigil for problem areas are the most important con siderations for a successful abatement program. Employees must be informed of the survey results and must review the consequences of over-exposure to asbestos fibers. (See Attachment 2.) .JISjOUBUTION LOUISIANA M. F. Currier - 2303 L. W. Rampy - 1803 *F. D. Axe - Pittsburg G. W. Daigre - 2501 M. Swamk - 1803 *R. L. Daniel - Freeport A. J. McKirdy - 3701 *S. A. Goode - 0CD C. L. Melancon - 4701 *R. J. McCormick - Stron *W. J. Neely - 2306 R. D. Olsen - Sarnia R* Peebles - 5601 C. J. Weber, Jr. - 5601 File (2) --Af5M<ATING UNIT OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY DO 084864 AALirtO^kl TTAI INTRODUCTION The required asbestos in air monitoring for first half of 1981 has been completed. The survey serves to protect the employees against over-exposure, pinpoint problem areas and fulfill the requirements of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act. DISCUSSION In addition to everyday safety equipment, operators are required to wear disposable paper suits, rubber gloves and proper dust respirators when handling or working with asbestos. The safe procedure for handling asbestos should be discussed with each new employee before entering the work area and reviewed annually with the experienced operators as part of the ongoing Industrial Hygiene Education Program. EXPERIMENTAL Sampling Method Personnel samples are collected from the operators' breathing zone with a millipore filter (37 mm diameter; 0.8 micron pore size) mounted on an open-face filter holder and attached to the operators' lapels. These cassettes are con nected to monitoring pumps calibrated with a soap bubble meter to operate at a rate of 1.5 to 2.0 liters per minute. Analytical The asbestos samples are analyzed using the NIOSH-Approved Method, P & CAM 239. RESULTS (See Attachment 1) Six personnel samples were collected from the operators' breathing zones. Monitoring results of six samples indicate all samples were well below the present exposure limit of 2 fibers > 5 microns in length per cubic centimeter. Highest recorded sample was 1.17 fibers per cc. 0 08486* confidents RECOMMENDATIONS Short-term excursion sampling is recommended in future sampling to better determine if problems exist in some jobs. CONCLUSIONS The monitoring results were satisfactory and well below the established exposure limit of two fibers per cubic centimeter. Due to the hazardous nature of asbestos, good housekeeping and safe operating procedures remain the most important considerations for an abatement program. This must be a daily, job-by-job program to offer the greatest protection to the employee. The Chlor-Alkali II employees must be informed of this survey's results and the consequences of over-exposure reviewed. (See Attachment 2.) sb DO 084866 CONFIDENTIAL DATE SAMPLE # 1/21/81 1556 2/26/81 1234 3/12/81 5/13/81 6/15/81 6/29/81 1679 1689 1553 3507 ATTACHMENT 1 SAMPLE DESCRIPTION DURATION (MIN) OT-Pulping Cells 115 SOT-Pulping Cells (spill from pulp wagon) 50 SOT-Pulping Cells 75 OT-Pulping Cells 155 OT-Pulping Cells 170 OTT-Pulping Cells 85 VOLUME (1) 230.0 100.0 FIBERS/ <5 MICRON IN LENGTH 0.02 1.17 150.0 310.0 240 170 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.03 00 084867 conftdenttai CONSEQUENCES OF EXPOSURE TO TOXIC AMOLNTS COMPOUND: EYES: ASBESTOS CONTACT WITH THE DUST CAN CAUSE MECHANICAL IRRITATION SIMILAR TO THAT CAUSED BY ANY SOLID PARTICLE. skin: ingestion: UNLIKE FIBROUS GLASS, THE FIBERS DO NOT CAUSE DISCOMFORT OR MECHANICAL IRRITATION. SOME EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT LONG TERM INGESTION OF ASBESTOS MAY INCREASE CHANCES OF. STOMACH CANCER. DUST INHALATION: SHORT TERM: HIGH CONCENTRATIONS (WELL ABOVE ACCEPTABLE LEVELS) MAY CAUSE ONLY MODERATE DISCOMFORT FROM MECHANICAL IRRITATION. LONG TERM: THE FIBERS CAN CAUSE SCARRING OF THE LUNGS CASBESTOSIS). A CANCER OF THE CHEST LINING CMESOTHELIOMA) MAY ALSO RESULT FROM ASBESTOS EXPOSURE. MOST IMPORTANT, ASBESTOS EXPOSURE AND CIGARETTE SMOKING GREATLY INCREASE THE RISK OF; LUNG CANCER. ihg: author: CHECKED BY: ACGIH TLV IS 2 FIBERS/CC G. H. FLORES R. L. DANIEL - INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE G. C. JERSEY - TOXICOLOGY R. E. FLAKE - MEDICAL * issue date: . REVISED: 6-6-80 D0 084868 C0NrjD8NTJA( RESTRICTED: lof *Mhln Th Do* Chamtcal Company only.