Document vBoVvk6LBKVZOOOkyYYr51XaZ

(conoco) Interoffice Communication To Dr. R. L. Lembke - Ponca City From Data Subject Oran D. Stef fey September 11, 1979 ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE INSPECTION - LAKE CHARLES VCM PLANT An industrial hygiene inspection was made of the Lake Charles VCM Plant on September 5, 1979. The purpose of the inspection was to physically check the installation from the standpoint of OSHA standards, which cover General Environmental Control - Sanitation, and the presence of and use of toxic and hazardous materials in the work place. The following areas were covered from a general industrial hygiene standpoint: Main Office Warehouse Maintenance Instrument Shop Laboratory Control Building Tank Storage & Loading Racks General Processing Units Incinerators All areas were found to be in good shape. The following comments are made relative to this plant: The dual waste incinerator has been completed to the extent that it is in operation. It appears that this system is working quite satisfactorily. The welding area has been expanded and is being improved. This area will receive additional attention within the coming year. Management and plant personnel are to be commended for continued interest in establishing a safe and healthy work place. Oran D. Steffey Industrial Hygienist OCR 000011823 ITINERARY DRS. E. L. DeWHITT AND 0. STEFFEY LAKE CHARLES VCM AND CHEMICAL PLANTS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1979 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 Lv. Ponca City Ar. Houston 7:00 a.m. 8:45 a.m. Drive to Lake Charles. Inspect VCM Plant. Shuttle THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Inspect Chemical Plant. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Finish Chemical Plant Inspection. Lv. Lake Charles Ar. Houston 5:00 p.m. 5:40 p.m. Shuttle Lv. Houston Ar. Ponca City 6:15 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Shuttle Accommodations @ Chateau Charles,. CCR 000011824 Robert L. Lembke, M.D. Oran D. Steffey November 20, 1978 TOXICITY OF MATERIALS OF ANALYSIS FROM THE YELLON RESIDUE FROM THE CAREATE CONDENSER - LAKE CHARLES VCM PLANT REFERENCE - DERMATITIS OF TWO WORKERS A conversation with Mr. Bill Henry, Safety Director, Lake Charles VCM Plant, revealed the following information concerning work exposure of two workers who are experiencing dermatitis from suspected exposure in the VCM Plant from residues from a carbate condenser. 1. The entire job, which is from the time of unbolting to the time of re-bolting, consumes approximately seven days. During this time it is felt that the men would experience the possibility of two days when they could have been exposed to materials which might cause dermatitis. During these two days one of the men working on top of the unit was exposed to airborne materials about the face and arms. He worked his eight-hour shifts without completely washing and changing clothes. The other man working below the unit experienced exposure to liquids from the carbate condenser tubes. He supposedly washed and changed clothes during his eight-hour work day. 2. These men may be working on the carbate condensers, performing such operations, no more than once every eight or nine months. 8. These men have worked on the carbate condenser before and have reported no difficulties with dermatitis before this last exposure. The toxicity information on any of the materials of analysis from the yellow residue from the carbate condenser is very sparse, except for nickel which was quite prevalent In the analysis. Following is a toxicity summary: Chlorinated dlbenzofuran (diphenylene oxide) Hazard unknown but this material is used as an insecticide. Most insecticide materials have the potential of causing dermatitis if one is sensitized to the material or if one is chronically exposed. Fluorenone Hepatachloro fluorenone - No information is available. Octachloro fluorenone - No information is available. CCR 000011325 Robert L. Lembke, M.t) Page Two November 20, 1976 nickel ''Nickel and the Skin*" taken from Nickel, Medical and Biological Effects of Environmental Pollutants, National Academy of Sciences, 1975, is attached. Oran D. Steffey Industrial Hygienist rla Attach. CCR 000011826 MEMORANDUM TO THE FILE: November 13, 1978 Bill Henry, VCM Plant, Lake Charles, ext. 5039, called me this morning. He stated that in August two of the men, while cleaning up condensers, apparently two or three days later developed some dermatitis. One developed a dermatitis around the face from some residual dust, a dermatitis described as "bumps." Another received a liquid mixture and developed some bumps around the peri-anal area. These men were sent to a local dermatologist, a Dr. Kent, telephone (318) 478-7456, who treated it as a contact dermatitis. Samples were sent off to the Research Center here in Ponca City and they were informed that this material contained some nickel, but apparently Dr. Kent ran tests with nickel and found that it was not the causative factor. Dr. Kent saw these men again last Friday and stated that although the condition has improved somewhat it has not completely improved and that he doesn't know what is causing it, that he doesn't believe it was caused from the accident. Bill Henry's only desire is to get these men's skin condition cleared up and he is asking for help as to our recommendations. He stated that Gordon Monroe, R.N., Lake Charles, is somewhat familiar with the case, although not a familiar as is Bill Henry, and has suggested that possibly the men be sent to a leading dermatologist in Houston. Mr. Henry states that they still have some of the residual material. I informed Mr. Henry that I would discuss this with other members of the medical staff here and that we would then come up with a recommendation, probably tomorrow, Tuesday, November 14. Robert L, Lembke, M.D. Medical Director rla cc: CLW JKD ODS/ HHJ CCR 000011Q27