Document vV556j8n6XNKDDqweg7yzvMM9
FILE NAME Corning OC DATE 1970 June
DOC OC408
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Industrial Hygiene Survey with Cover Letter
t-
05
063
OCF
Subsidiary of Sitkin Smelting and Refining Company Inc. 25711 Southfield Road Southfield Michigan 48075 ' Telephone 313-352-3120
August 13 1970
Dr. Jon Konzen Medical Director CORNING FIBERGLAS
Toledo Ohio 43601
CORPORATION
Dear Dr. Konzen
Presented herewith are
the industrial hygiene
two copies of our report covering survey conducted at the Bloomington
plant several weeks ago
In summary we have found excessive exposures to asbestos
fibers marginally acceptable exposures to polyurethane
dust and acceptable all viewpoint it is
exposures to MDI vapor
From an over-
clear that the work environment in this
facility must be that an entirely
improved and it is our recommendation new process be installed including the
appropriate environmental controls to maintain workroom concentrations of asbestos and polyurethane dust at accept-
able levels The distinction between this facility and
other facilities with which we are familiar is quite dra-
matic
Very truly yours
Ton
Ton
George D. Clayton
President y
GDC
PRODUCED BY SHANNON
2/82
|
131
d INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SURVEY
OWENS CORNING FIBERGLAS CORPORATION BLOOMINGTON ILLINOIS
June 1970
130
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SURVEY
CORNING FIBERGLAS CORPORATION BLOOMINGTON ILLINOIS
PROBLEM
An industrial hygiene survey was conducted at the Blooming-
ton Illinois plant of Corning Fiberglas Corporation
to measure the exposures of workers in the Plant to asbestos
fibers MDI Methylene bis phenylisocyanate vapor and
polyurethane dust
This
survey was
conducted by Mr. George
Mr. Sam Thomas and Dr.
D. Clayton of Clayton & Associates
Jon Konzen of Corning Fiberglas Corporation
INTRODUCTION
Corning Fiberglas Corporation recently purchased a
facility in Bloomington
Illinois
which is being used to from asbestos and polyure-
produce
insulation materials made
On June 30 1970 sampling was
conducted
in the
thane foam
and side trim areas of the asbestos board
batch mix sanding
conditions The sur-
operation under norm1 awh len prMD oI ducstaimopnles were taken near the
vey continued on July
foam and along the
forming operation for the polyurethane
smaller sec-
line as the foam was being sawed into
conveyor tions The
survey
included
dust
samples
taken near
the
dust concentrations
sawing operations for polyurethane
?
ASBESTOS INHALATION
Until recently the standard method of sampling asbestosuniitn
was based on the number of particles per
the workroom
foot determined by
volume millions of particles per cubic
standard
impinger
sampling
and
100x
lightfield microscopy set
the Threshold Limit Value ACGIH was
For several
at 5 mppcf
years In 1969
the Threshold
Limits
Committee changed
fibers per ml
the TLV to a tentative value of 12 asbestos
determined by
than 5 microns in length as
for fibers greater
at 430X In 1970 the Committee
phase contrast microscopy
value of 5 fibers per
reduced
the
TLV
further
to
a
tentative British
Occupational
Hy-
milliliter on the same basis
The
of 2 fibers
giene Society has adopted a standard 4 fofribecrhsryspoertilmel for twenty-
per ml for fifty years of exposure
ml for ten years of
five years of exposure or 10 fibers per
of the experts
exposure
These
standards
are in the opinion
from existing data
These data are
the best that can be drawn
" oo
132 132
~
2
=
the standards
ideal and course,
standards
not
of course the
not
review review and
review
are subject to
standards methods
of measurement
controlling methods
industrial
practice suggests
industrial
practice suggests
hygiene
rather than maincontrolling controlling controlling
Good
posures below industrial
allowable suggests
than main-
this posures tenance at maximummaximum maximum
tenance
maximum
level rather
connection connection it engineering
is appro-
expected expected
priate to
priate
current current engineering
controls for
concentration
fibers
airborne
downward concentration concentration
trend trend engineering acceptable
ance ance with
SAMPLING PROCEDURE
ASBESTOS
ASBESTOS SAMPLING those speci-
latest
sampling
sampling
developments
those
collected
-In fied line with
Limit sampling developments
were speci- speci-
by Threshold
samples membrane
collected
fied on
ester
cellulose
the
membrane
use
Mine on
Appliances personal samplers Sampling rates
of were 1.8
per minute
Sampling periods
between between between and litmeirnsutes depending Sampling
dust fil-
expected
loading 5 and
of the upon
the fil-
loading
heads
were
conclusion carried
to
sampling
period
where
tefir lters filters removed and transferred " clean containers containers
ter
transported carefully
to sealed laboratory
the transported
back to the
and transported
representative PROCEDURE
FIBER COUNTING
that used by
fibers was
by
Public
Health
asbestos
for
the
enumeration
of
asbestos U.S.
membrane Service
The description
this asbestos dmetuhosd tby Edwards filatnedrsJ. Lynch Lynch description in
Ann
. 11 Edwards
Occup Hyg
1-6 1968 -
Ann
il,
weighing weighing
mounted stan- stan-
After
using high sample mounted
of
solution
membrane microscope
slides material in
1 high viscosidietthyly diethyl oxalate
the mixture
transparent
and dimethyl phthalate render render
mount
filter filter
slides
Since
stable 30
permanent
of representative
mm color slides
of
of
are taken
records records
filter permanent permanent each
records representative
taken 86 permanent
are
The asbestos
microscopy
surface
the filter filter
specified
contrast contrast microscopy
specified
Threshold
using
eyen
by tentative
Limit
10 eye- eye-
40 phase
objective objective
piece and
contrast
In mounting tentatthievesample sample transition
objective
supporting
mounting a
substrate
filter dust supporting
transparent membrane
homogeneous cellulose
to transparent material
optically optically homogeneous gel
is
gentle Clearing
slow
requiring
about
minutes
and and time
time does
and
meniscus meniscus sweep
4 sweep
eweep
about
very gentile.
at no time does
ie
and
about 15 minutes,
!
{
i
\
|
|
}
|
\
|
\
|
| t
+
vers
across dust deposit The filter slowly softens below causing no redistribution of the fibers
from
Ten fields selected at random on the sample are counted r
and total fibers fibers from 0 to 5 fibers greater than
5 and fibers greater
having an aspect ratio
a
fiber
than of 3
10 are recorded Any particle or greater is considered to be
MDI INHALATION
phenylisocyanate The use of MDI Methylene bis
) has
become widespread in recent years in the production of poly-
urethane foam MDI a liquid of relatively low volatility
it is sufficiently volatile to produce vapor con-
hcoenwtervaetrions of MDI in the air in the range of one ppm which
has been shown to be very irritating to many individuals
The ACGIH Threshold Limit Value is 0.02 ppm based on indus-
trial experience with the material
MDI SAMPLING PROCEDURE
collected by the use of midget impingers and
Samples were
of 1.8 - 2.0 liters per minute
driven pumps at a rate
15
battery for a minimum of ten minutes
The sampling solution was
concentrated hydrochloric
milliliters of a mixture of 35 ml acofid diluted to 1 liter of
acid and 22 ml of glacial acetic
A second impinger containing 10 ml of 1N caustic was
water
to absorb acid vapors
used in series with the first impinger
to a clean
After sampling the liquid solution was transferred
The
glass
sample
bottle
for
shipment back to the laboratory a colorimetric method at 550
les were analyzed by using of MDI in the sample were cal-
millimicrons The micrograms
culated to ppm of MDI in the air samples
POLYUREThane dusT SAMPLING PROCEDURE
Samples
were
collected
on millipore
membrane
filters using
the asbestos
the MSA personal samplers Poinlymuurcehthatnhee dsu am se t wiasy considered to
samples were collecftoerd which the Threshold Limit Valuies 10
be a nuisance dust
milligrams per cubic meter
134
RESULTS OF STUDY
The asbestos fiber samples are summarized in Table 1. Poly-
urethane dust samples are summarized in Table 2 and the MDI
vapor tions
samples are summarized in Table 3. Asbestos concentraare well above the acceptable levels and only 2 of
34 samples showed less than 5 fibers per milliliter for fibers
greater than 5 mixed results
microns The polyurethane dust samples gave
with concentrations in excess of the TLV mea-
sured in about half the less than the Threshold
samples The MDI samples were all
Limit Value of 0.02 ppm and appar-
ently this material presents no hazard in the plant at this
time
OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The atmospheric conditions in the work environment of this
plant are unbelievably bad struction of this facility
Obviously at the time of no consideration was given
conto
protecting the health of the work force Such items as the baghouse discharging into the workroom are unacceptable when dealing with such toxic materials as asbestos The outdated
equipmeanntd methods
control under present
of handling
conditions
products prevent proper Therefore it is recom-
mended
tn
1. An entirely new facility should be built for this
operation
2 Process engineers should be brought in to study the processes and material handling with the idea of dating and improving the present process with
modern equipment
Prior to installation however the ventilation
for the processes should be designed by persons
who appreciate the
to toxic agents in
consequences of exposure the work environment and who
are competent to prevent such exposures by appro-
- priate engineering control
These observations and recommendations apply both to the
Unarco Board Line and the Polyurethane Line No attempt is
made at this time to make specific suggestions because the
plant is so generally unacceptable In the meantime peration must be given to providing immediate personal piratory protection for these workers until the plant
remodeled We strongly suggest that clinical studies
consid-
res-
has been be
135
conducted on these workers to determine the extent of injury that may have already occurred because of the excessive expo-
sures these men have experienced over a period of time
It is obvious that this plant has not been fully incorporated into the Corning Fiberglas corporate structure for it does not resemble other OCF plants with respect to
environmental control
JaJkohen This report prepared by
Mutchler
JCohhinef Mut Services
George D. Clayton President
136
Fibrous Material
Date
Sample
No.
Asbestos
.
Description
TABLE 1
GEORGE D. CLAYTON & ASSOCIATES FIBER SAMpling sumMARY
INC
Sampling
Period
Start | Stop
Sample Weight
mg
Sample
Volume
liters
=
Plant Bloomington
Concentration Fibers
mg M3 5H
10 Tota
6-30 | 2927
2794 6-30
6-30 2926
| 6-30 2923 | Bryant 6-30 2793
Sander Feeder Alcorn Sander Feeder Bryant
Side Trim Lohmeyer
Sander Feeder Alcorn
Sander Feeder
1221 1231
0.17
20
1222 1232
0.04
18
8.5
17.1
90
21
2.2
16.9
8.1
21
1223 1233 0.30
20
15.0
12.7 5.4
15
1237 1247 0.01
18
0.6
9.1
3.8
12
1239 1249
0.10
20
5.0
13.9
6.0
17
| 1242 1252 0.01 20 0.05 12.9 4.8 16
6-30 2790
Side Trim Lohmeyer
| Take Forrest 1223 1234 0.09 21.3 4.2 17.5 6.3 22
6-30 2920
Standard
1234
0.43
21.5 20.0
25.0
9.4
31
16-30 2921
Standard Take Mendiola 1224
| 1219 1229 0.21 20 10.5 23.6 8.7 29
6-30 2922
Side Trim Poleski
| 1235 1246 0.16 21.7 7.4 20.2 7.7 26
6-30 2925
Side Trim Poleski
| Take Forrest 1236 1247 0.40 21.2 18.9 43.8 16.5 55
: 6-30 2792
Standard
Take Mendiola 1238 1248 0.78 21 37.1 66.9 33.4 81
6-30 2791
Standard
; Forrest 1247 1259 0.26 23.3 11.2 21.8 9.8 27
| 6-30 2924
Standard Take
1412 1425
0.54
26.7 20.2
28.2 11.6
35
6-30 2911
Standard Take Forrest
| Mendiola 1413 1426 0.57 25.7 22.2 41.4 18.4 48
6-30 2914
Standard Take
|y+
.
Fibrous Material
Asbestos
GEORGE D. CLAYTON & ASSOCIATES INC
FIBER SAMPLING SUMMARY
-
.
Plant Bloomington
:
Date
Sample
No.
Description ;
Sampling
Period
Start Stop
Sample Weight
mg
Sample
Volume
liters
Concentration
Fibers
mg
>
.
10 Tot
6-30 2913
|
Side Trim
Poleski
1428 1439
0.40
21.2 18.9
37.0
13.0 48
6-30 2916 .| Standard Take Forrest 1425 1436
0.62
20.7 30.0 29.1 11.1 37
6-30 | 2917 | Standard Take Mendiola | 1426
6-30 2912
Side Trim
Poleski 1439
1437 | 0.74
1449
0.45
20.8 | 35.6 | 50.7 | 24.0 61
20.8
21.6
32.6
13.8 40
6-30 2798
Sander Feeder
Alcorn
1416 1426
0.01
18
,
6-30 2799
Sander Feeder
Bryant
1417 1427
0.53
20
0.6 26.5
17.5 20.1
6.3 21
|
7.2 26
6-30 2795
Side Trim
6-30 2918
Sander Feeder
Lohmeyer | 1435 1445 0.40
20
Alcorn
1433 1443
0.22
18
20.0 12.2
11.4 14.9
28.1 35 5.2 19
6-30 2910
Sander Feeder
Bryant
1432 1442
0.29
20
14.5
9.9
3.1 14
6-30 2915
Side Trim
Lohmeyer | 1446 1456 0.38
20
6-30 2890
Asbestos Fiber Feeder Roof 1637 1642
0.16
10
19.0 16.0
22.5 72.1
9.3 28 37.2 79
6-30 2897 Supervisor
Renninger 1638 1653 0.14
30
4.7
53.1
20.4 65
6-30 2896
Asbestos Fiber Feeder Roof 1644 1649
0.21
10
6-30 2891 Maintenance Mounce 1646 1701 0.40 27
-30 2894
oo
Supervisor
Renninger 1654 1711 0.54
33
21.0
40.3
21.1 48
14.8 72.7
16.4
2.7
29.5 86
1.1
3
:
Asbestos
Fibrous Material
Date
Sample
No.
.
Description
GEORGE D. CLAYTON & ASSOCIATES INC
FIBER SAMPLING SUMMARY
-
Plant Bloomington
Sampling
Period
Start |! Stop
Sample Weight
mg
Sample
Volume
liters
Concentration
Fibers
mg
>
7
10... _I
6-30 2892 Mixing
6-30 2893
Press Operator
6-30 2780
Press Operator
6-30 2895 Mixing
Roof Beyer Beyer Roof
1656 1704 1706 1722 1723 1738 1750 1756
0.58 0.83 0.07 0.26
15.5
37.4
5.5
31.5 26.3 3.4
30
2.3
7.3
12.3
21.1
6.2
2.8
6
1.9
4
3.2
8
3.7
6
139
Material Polyurethane Dust
:
Date
Sample
No.
, ;
Description
TABLE 2
.
GEORGE D. CLAYTON & ASSOCIATES INC
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SAMPLING SUMMARY
Plant
Bloomington
Sampling
Period
Sample Weight
Start | Stop mg
Sample
Volume
Concentration
M
liters Mg
7-1
2786 Femco Slab Saw Debus
1214 1234 0.10
40
2.5
7-1
2789 Pipe Covering Saw Collins 1240 | 1250 0.23
7-1
2785 Femco Slab Saw Glass
1214 1234 0.86
7-1
2740 | Femco Slab Saw Pate
7-1
2784 Femco Slab Saw Bowman
1214 1234 0.08
1214 1234 0.18
7-1
2741 Femco Slab Saw Smith
1214 1234 0.63
7-1 2787 | Pipe Covering Saw Collins | 1240 1250 | 0.01
20
11.5
40
21.5
40
2.0
40
4.5
36
17.5
18
0.6
140
TABLE 3
SUMMAROYF MDI SAMPLES
JULY 1 1970
Cay
Drum Filling Station
Man at Drum
Operator's Breathing
Zone
Jennings Machine Mixing Side
Operator's Side Operator's Side
Forming Section Forming Discharge Forming Discharge Forming Discharge
End of Conveyor
Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
Pipe Covering Sample 1 Sample 2
Saw
Off Gas Samples Bun slice in poly film New bun slice in poly film
Sample
Volume liters
20 20 20
.20 20 20
20 20 20
159.3 31.9
18
18
MDI
_ppm
0.02 < 0.02
'
0.009 0.009 0.009
0.009 0.009 0.009
0.009 0.009 0.009
0.001 0.006
0.01 0.01
14