Document vVrE3jyg8q8E3b816mdjXNrKw

/ I. I COMBAKI CONFIDENTIAL Hot For Publication In Procent Form REFORT ON "STOKIEY OF TSE P1ANT INDUSTRIAL EYGI3KE ra03IZ;-S" C. Berry, Fh.D. J. V. Eannond, K.S. R. 5. Bonoib, E.M. K. V. Eondricko, M.S. April 12, 19JV9 MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, RESEAECE SECTION STANDARD OIL COMPANY (KEN JERSEY) 30 ROCKEFELLER PULI HEN YORE 20, NEW YOIAK EM003118 SUMMUIY OF Tl!2 PLAIT? INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE PROBLEM DESERVED 13 SEVERAL REFINERIES ESSO C3MPANY C. K. Berry, Ph.D. In the time allotted to me, I should like to diBCuos the Industrie 1 hygiene problems in the Er.ro Company on the baoio of broad group! npr. intr the type of exposures. I bellove that this approach, rather than by opera tion, vill point up Boro clearly the responsibilities of the industrial hygienist. The following is a partial list: 1. Exposure to toxic gases, vapors, and mists 2. Exposure to toxic fumes end dusts 3. Industrial dormatitio e. Primary irritants b. Send tiring agents 4. Exposure to carcinogens 5. Excessive heat 6. Exccooivo noise 7- Inadequate illumination 8. Inadoquate ventilation a. General b. Local exhaust 9. Vibrating tools 10. Atmospheric pollution 11. Sanitary facilities 12. Special problems Tciic -gases, vaporb, and mists occur quite generally throughout the refineries; from hydrogen eulfido in tho processing of sour crudes, to mercury vapor in the inctrumer.t Bhop3`, from sulfur diozidc in sludge cooking, KO 03119 2 to carbon monoxide in synthesis gas/ and from benzol vapors in solvent de waxing, to the miBts associated with drum painting. Other potential expoBureo ore to oxides of nitrogen, merceptans, emmonio, chlorine, toluol, xylol and other aromatics, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl propyl ke tone, methyl chloride, carbon tetrachlorido, boron trifluorido, aluminum chloride, hydrogen chloride, sulfur trioxide, lead tetraethyl, phenol, sulfur trioxide, aliphatic hydrocarbons both saturated and unsetureted, vaporized lube and grease additives, vaporized and sublimed plasticizers, alcohols from methyl to iso-octyl, ethers, esters, and others. Fumes and dusts are encountered almost as widely. There are voic ing fumes in maintenance operations end occasional heavy exposures to sil iceous catalyst dusts, coke dust from equipment cleaning and litharge dust in Doctor Bveetoning, asbestos duct in insulating operations and talc dust in rubber manufacture. Catalyst manufacture offers a vide varioty of dust exposures. Lube and grease manufacture offer cxposurcE to diatomaoeouc oertli, several types of clays, graphite, metal stearates, lime, asbestos, mica, end others. Metallizing operations, lead burning, sand blasting and pipe recon ditioning -- all present potential industrial hygiene problems. The problem of industrial dermatitis is like tho poor -- always with ub. The problems vary from those associated with defatting of the shir., as would occur on intimate contact with certain petroleum fractions, to those accompanying tho use of harsh abrasives end detergents in hand cleansers. There are plant exposuros to pric:ary skin irritants, such as the mineral erJdo and alknlio, and to mere serious substances, as tho chromates. Cutting oim, gasolino, lube, and grease additives present opportunities for contact wit'1: primary irritants, aB veil ao cenritizing agentc. EMO 0312 0 -3- Exposure tc cercinogcno, known and 0U3poctd, dips heavily intr the tine aod enorgy of tho industrial hygienist. All of up are fanlllnr vlth the problem aeocciated with wax pressing. The control of thio prot]cv... however, may not be sufficiently complete as statistical evidence io count ing that tho incidence of eyetemic manifestations among thio group of ecpio;,eos io out of line with that for the general refinery population and the population at large. The control program muct be continually observed an! reviewed to insuro that maximum worker protection iB provided. Animal experimentation hac indicated that certain heavy fractions from catalytic cracking are potentially carcinogenic to man, as are the trrr. fron oteam cracking end thermal reforming. Tho control programs for thocr materials have been di6cu3oed in detail and need not be reviewed at thio time except to indicate that they represent e significant effort on the yri o? industrial hygiene personnel/ paot and procont, and there io every rear.on to believe that even greater industrial hygiene effort will bo required before all grcup3 ccncernod with the problem ore sure'that a ooticfocto.-y control program hoo toon evolved, inaugurated, and io running smoothly. Excessive hoot exposures cannot bo oolved for plant personnel as easily as for office employee: whero the letter can be sent home in the middle of the afternoon if it gct3 too hot. Such exposures, directly acsociated with the work, occur in such widely varied activities os pipe bonding end furnace thermocouple oorvicing, certain boiler house activities, end working in confined aroeo where the equipment hao not cooled down entirely. During cortain ooaoonr, any phyalcal labor of a strenuous type, and especially if it is performed in direct sunlight, may represent an occupational exposure of no noun oitsnlficance. EM003121 - 1+ - A medical opinion lias been expressed in certain of the refineries that hearing impairment is relatively common among certain groups of workers, such ao the boilermakers. Hevover, high noise levels aro encountered in other parte of the rofinery ea veil. Potentially undesirable noice lovelc might be encountered in the vicinity of high-speed pirnpo.. in cojcrrcceor rooms, in generator rooms of the power houses, to mention only a few. Inadequate illumination is a problem that affects clerical peroonrel as much end as often e.s process workers. Satisfactory illumination must be considered in closo conjunction with tho Job to bo performed and is a con;*oeite cf a number of items -- the intensity of the light, it6 color, contract, amount of glare, and anglo of incidence. Potential difficulties criBing from inadequate illumination may bo encountered in any area of the refinery but is most likely to arise from clerical activities. Fortunately, the open type of construction employed in petroleur. refining reduces tho number and varioty of gonorcl ventilation problems with which tho industrial hygienist nurt contend. On tho other hand, there cue numerous instances where enclosures have been ccnotmctod for the shelter of men and/or eouijtcent,end the ventilation of these epacac then become a problem. Pump houses frequently offer exposures to hydrogen oulfiac; com pressor houoes My provide exposures not only to hydrogen sulfide, but also to methyl chloride, erimcnia, or seme other refrigerant. In many caccs local oxhnuot ventilation lc required for npoelfJ<: operations. Each of us 1g familiar with the eproy paint booth and the laboratory hood, but the need for this type of ventilation can bo dcmonetrrted for metallizifyg'operations, permanent welding locations, dogreaoers, ar.d driers, calenders, and ducting machines in rubbor inar.ufac cure. 1*003122 As in the ce.se of illumination, each operation must bo considered on on individual basic. If no ventilation is provided; then the need for such control must be demonstrated and assistance provided to bo sure that the system vill be of the correct docign and of suitable capacity. Because ventilation for health protection io eo poorly understood, every Industrie 1 hygienist must bo conversant with 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 permit unconcern ovor its future performance by the industrial hyglonict. Vibrating tcols ere in use througiout the plants and their effects are of interest from an occupational standpoint. Those instruments range from electrically driven star drills, to Jackhammers and pavement breakersand from tho use of chipping chieclo, to riveting operations. Those need to be scrutinised from the standpoint of frequency and duration of use, tho number of cycles por minute, and fcaturos peculiar to tho activity that may have significant medical Implications. Since the smog incident fit Donors, Pennsylvania, currently being investigated by the Industrial Hygiene 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 atmospheric contaminants within a plant and it is only a small step, and a very logical on, for him to be called upon for similar functions related to tho diocharge of undesirable contaminants into the atmosphere of e ccrcmunity. All cf tho Esso rcfincrio.3 nro located in urban areas, and it io not unlikely thot tho work load of the inlurtrial hygicnin. vill be augmented by toing called upon in some degree to 33siGt management in this fiold of ondeavor. EM00312 3 -6- With respect to sanitary facilities, it would bo desirable to be assured that all governmental requirements arc met and exceeded and that any control program, as in tho ccco c>f the carcinogens, will not bo impeded by the lack of lavatories end shevert. In cortain of our establiehcontc, the lack of suitable facilities, thoir location, or their physical condi tion, is a very real problem. On the other hand, thir condition is being steadily alloviated, and tho next few years should find the situation much improved. In addition to tho industrial hygiene problems and activities previously enumerated, thero are others, real or alleged, that'require investigation. Yootordcy wo hoard of tho cancer problem associated with the manufacture of iDopropyl alcohol at the Bayway Refinery. This problem, considered acute by the local managecent becauso of the employee relationo aspect, has entailed e tremondous amount of effort and tho end is not in sight. Developing lncidonco figuroo for the Chemical Products area alone utilized all avnilablo poraonnol from tho Kodical Department of the Jeroey Company and our own for ocveral weeks, and incidence figuron for the alcohol plant are just now being completed. Tho etlologic agent is not known tut no effort is beins operod to identify it. Only after tho problem lias been voll defined will it be possible to 6et up an intelligent control program. The facts evolved at Bayvny muct then bo translated, insofar as they are comparable, into a program at Baton Rsugc. Several studios of a Bimilar typo may be in ordor in other refin eries, inasmuch as otatcconto rolativo to tho incidences of certain medical entities have'.boon made and should either be substantiated, or disproved. CMB April 11, 19^9 EM003124 ikdustriai. greiKRg iOLLT:-s cgsnvsn jk Tils p/.r/Q-'i- yjrrwg.y J. W. Hemmond, M.S. e survey o? the Baytown Refinery and the Specialty Plant was Bads vith the assiotence of lir. N. V. Hendrlckc. The purposes of this survey were to determine the caterials and conditions of health significance and acquaint the Induo trial Eygionict with the technical opcraticr.r., imterJ.a.'.r and products which are handled ir. tho Refinery and the Specialty Flint. These opexationo ard the nnturo cf the nctcrialc wei-e investigated for tho purpose of locating any problem associated with refinery operations that night have an cdverce cffoct on the health of the employees. Soso of the questions that were studied which seem to bo the moot outstanding aro pre sented in the summary attached. The subjects shown ore by no moenc a coaploto list of observed industrial hygiene problems associated with refinery operationc and tho manufacture of petrolcur.. specialties. On page cno of tho Summery the sanitary phaccr of the industrial hygiene survey aro briefly presented. Tho quection of protection cf the drinking water supply ana the method cf bacteriological)}- chocking this for unsuspected sourcos of contamination vereinvestigated. Ac a result of thin investigation ocvcral woaknonsce wore brought out. The dc-hod of collecting samples was changed to include camples every three months from tho forerroBt ends of the water mains in addition to collecting camples at a point very near tho well site. Thio new program has diocloood, on onw or tvo occanionr, minor contamination which hue resulted in a noi'o careful control over the en tire syEtem. It was observed during this survey that there wore oevora) foun tains and other-.placeo where e.v.ployoce obtained thoir drinking wc.tcr that eld not meet vith tho minimum standard from the standpoint of sanitation. A f"ogram is now underway with tho ordoro being Isbucc. from the manager of the refinery to replace all unapproved typo of fountains, thus to eliminate any E f*0 03 125  V/ -2- crocs infection of the pcroonnel by thio means. The old typo of tirin'- inr water etna ore being roplaced by e ecnltary type which kcep3 the water and ice separated. Until the now typo cf cans enn bo Gubeti ;utoa in every in stance, chlorine tatlots aro being used to otorilise the drinking water mixture in tho insanitary -ypo of ceno. The refuse and sewage dioposel methods were Gtudied. The good sanitary program ouch as, the construction cf tho oovago disposal plant, Installation cf sewerage lines to separate the storm and industrial wactto draino from the sanitary sewers, and replacement of all the open-typo privies, has been greatly accelerated Binco this survey. ThiB survey pointed out through the report that communicable disoaoos were easily transmitted by various inoects under the existing conditions in the Refinery. Tho washing and Banitary facilities available to tho employees were reviewed. Recomwndaticns for tho increase in the number of those fa cilities wore made and in many cases the neoded changes or additions have been secured. This program haB been well underway since before the connec tion of tho Industrial Eygionist with the Company, but due to the bringing to light of many industrial hygiene probloms which would dictate tho noed for the expansion of the faci?.itles, thin program has now roachod the stag? tl-.nt the approval of requested facilities froD top management is assured if they are essential in tho medical program. By the beginning cf the year 1?3U, the facilities which wore booh to have boon needed will bo ccmplotod or undor con struction. In a few locations where toxic materials wore boing handled and the nature of the work mace it necessary for the employees to get badly soiled, hot water haa. been added to tho present washing facilities. The presence of toxic materlalo was brought to the attention of th9 Management to Justify tho added expense of installing hot water. EMO 0312 6 -3 It will only be possible in the few minutes fcliet bovc. bocr. to me to cover the moat outstanding hazards associated with toxic nc.tcrie.lc. First, from the standpoint of the number of employees exposed and the general preconce of the material throughout the Refinery, one would have to list hydrogen and organic sulfides. Prior to this ourvoy, several casos of cerious oyo irritation came to the attention of the Medical Division from a low grade exposure of rather long duration to sulfides. At anothei location this survey disclosed that there was a rather serious possibility of cyo irritation fron the presenco of hydrogen sulfide. Before any action taken on the recommendation, such as instigating a detailed study of thlc location and recommending adequate ventilation, several eye casco reported to the hospital for treatment from tills unit. There still exists the need for a detailed and quantitative invontigatlon of thc-ao sulfides in many. other units. This gas has been responsible for very serious, acute poisoning end some casco have resulted in fatalitioo. Under the existing conditions, the precautions used, end the concentrations cf oulfide thet are now found, it is the opinion that the danger is not only eye irritation, but possibly chronic systemic poisoning from low concentrations. The currently used eulfide detector is not sensitive enough to pick UP concentrations of those gases which will produce physiological effects. An adequate appraiBal would depend upon using absolute quantitative chemical methods and integrated camples. There aro at least five skilled crafts where possibility of plur.bl r.m exists.. To date no investigation of this problem in the nature of either atmospheric Banploo or lead excretion values of body fluids has been carried out. This latter will seen be undertaken by the analytical laboratory. Mercury is extensively used by the laboratory analytical group, tho research engineers, and handled in largo quantities by the Instrument Tien. EMO 03127 This potential problor has received u great doal of attention fron the Medicel DiviBion through having employees with the greatest espocure report to the hospital so that urine specimens could he collected end sub mitted to the analytical laboratory for analysis. More than 60 6amplea have been collected and chocked for mercury oo far. This study io continu ing. In several locations mercury vapors have been found, by atmospheric r.arrnling. In sons of thece locations whore mercury io rogulerly uoed; a vockJy check is being cado and a record kept by tbe operating pereonnel or the analytical laberatory at the request of the departmental cupervioor. Other heavy metals which have been located and vo kr.o'.r present enough exposure that they should bo studied are zinc, chromate, cadmium, and to a lcccor degree, beryllium. Up to the present time no quantitative values are avail able on these materials. Silica and cstectcs are both extensively used in the Refiner:'* by a limited number of employees. To date the only quantitative study we have made dealt with the composition of contact clay. The free Bilice contont of these clays has been determined by a caroful chemical analysis acoioted by x-ray opectogroph. It ie felt that a otudy on the atmospheric concentrations on silica and silicate dust associated with rolining the furnaces io cf immediate importance. Silica bricks are commonly uced in lining the furnaces used in the Refinery. Even where silicate bricks are used, it is known that in high temperatures these silicates decompose to form very dangerous forma of silica, criotoballte, end tridymite. The exposure' to asbootoa under normal operating conditions in tho Refinery is not* oxtencive but frequently it io necessary for an insulator to do work inside of a closed space with limited ventilation, makinc it poocilve that a high concentration of asbestos dust may be engendered. Also,the E HO 0312 8 I -5- asbestos insulations are* saved by power saws which give off rather heavy clouds of dust. This problem should be studied. Tho anelysio for free silica in. contact lubo clnys dioclosod ihci, the average concentration is about five percent. This is valuable inform.-tion in view of tho fact that the Public Health Service has on record an analysis of a similar typs clay which they claim to have contained 20Z free silica. It further tehcovos us to cake fairly complete surveys of the locctionB where silicate is apparently being hendled, including tho Bubber Flext where talc is applied tc tho finished rubber. Such a detailed studK with complete dust counts at various loeetiens and e::pocuree, will be invaluable for our records chould ve lator be confronted with complaints and claims from formor employees who might have worked at theso locations. No doubt tho dust ccunt6 will disclose came unnecessarily dusty operations thot can In controlled by mechanical oeanc. At the Acid Plent and at the SOp Plante, low concentrations of sul fur dioxido and trioxides are potential problems. Many complaints have been received at various times from the Acid Plant, and it was observed that various operations carried out there involve irritating concentrations. As a hapry t result of an active department management's attempt to improve these condi tions, the current situation is much improved. The proof of these improve ments was recently brought to our attention vhen it was reported that employees are now requesting tc be aGOignod to the Acid Plant rather than trying In ovnry way poasible to get transferred away. Hot all of the problems have been solved, but much money for the purpose of improving this area has been spent and even more- Has been requested. In connection with tho sulfur oxide problem, not only in the Rofir'-ry proper but in the surrounding community, a study has been instigated to teko EM003129 6- - atmospheric semples at various distances froa the Feflnery to establish information pertaining to the concentrations that may exist under veryl/v; weather conditiene. It is planned that this study will te prolonged ov- a period of years, if necessary, to establish enougi factual analytical date that t. decloicn can be reached ar to the extent of the proa lea with vnrt" gases. A preliminary investigation ar to the extent of vegetation drier/., iw the vicinity of the Eefinery hao already been started. It vac obcerved dar ing this survey that fairly high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide existed in four cxall tulldirgi: associated with the Aoid Plant. Airaoeph^ria discloeed that the nitrogen dioxide exposure wen a very serious problem t > anyone having to enter the building even for a short period. Warning cine have been placed in this area and Rinageitent has ordered t'mt the er.glr.cr.rs design adequate ventilation to reduce the concentrations of nitrogen die"*'?'; to those that are recognized as harmless. Concentrations of benzol were detected in thu atmosphere nt the I'.ii. Plant, in ssac of the laboratories, and at the Bottle It unary which wore be lieved to be excessive for prolonged exposure. Ac e. reiulfc of the educe.: Ion l work, accomplished through this survey, the IdJiK Plant oujcrvleor har initiated the removal of benzene and the substitution of toluene in its stead. ThlJ substitution does not control th; problem entirely., but it dlminishcr thv seriousness of it. Other aromatic!", Including toluene and xylol, cu'.vcneo, and ot.hr rc ere * manufactured in large quantities. These exposures r.re conoidere;". ir. nary casco to be within.,accepted, limits, but there is no way of being sura ci to th: off. ;l thet they nay produce on the health of the employers without melting ruif* j icrt atmospheric examinations tc csta'cliih the range* and duration of oxicmwe. EMO 0313 0 -7- It is a coiacn practice to use chlorinated hydrocarbons) to c 'em electrical motors and various instruments in two or more* departments of the Refinery. This problem Is being currently studied in detail with the assistance of the safety engineers. This study will Include not only the Refinery and the Specialty Plant, but also the Production Department erri Humble Pipe Line Company's operations. Vorcol was found being uood freely without rogerd to tlio aro matics it contains. * In a few units heat, which has been the cause of various fr.tigv.e cases as well as the source of many complaints, was oboerved. Time hn6 not permitted eny detailed study of the problems associated with beat and noin*', but it is felt that it is important enou$) that such e study is Justified. In most casec, these studies have been carried out by the operating personnel in cherge cf the various departments with the assistance of the- laboratories which are available to them. The Medical Division hoe served ao consultant on making available approved typo analytical methods to be used in atmospheric tecting, analysis of urine camples, and to interpret the rooulto that the analyst reports. In Borne departments the supervisor fces not felt that they had qualified personnel, supplios, equipment, cr the time to mnk** these indicated Burveyo. In these caseo, when possible, the Industrial Hygienic' has carried cut the chemical and engineering services. In some instancer th" equipment and time were not available to the Industrial Hygienist and he has turned, to the industrial hygiene services of the Texas Stete Department of Health for assistance cn a quantitative apprcisal of the toxic materials fcrovr to be present*in the atmosphere. These public officials have teen very co operative in every vey in trying to further the general well-being of thy Humble employees. EH003131 t -b- Time does not permit ne to touch on many of the other problrrr, eome of which aw as major es theso, thct have been uncovered, nor is this the meeting to report on the sanitary engineering erpect o:*' the work which has been carried out in close cooperation with the civil engincerc of the Company. It is sufficient to Bey that, as a result of three activitier, thw various engineering standards and guides heve been rewritten with the view in mind of mailing it possible for the uninitiated engineer to supervise construction of adequate water and sewage facilities to protect employeec' health This phase of tho problem seems to have net with complete-- api rovi i of Monagemant. JWH April 121 19^9 EMO 0313 2 APFTIOIX sui-yAH? of mzhmumr industrial HYGIEHE STJRTCI AT BftTOWH Condition and Facility Drinking Water, Fountains and Coolers Sewage Disposal Washing and Sanitary Facilities Potential Pi oeaBoo Twenty-one Connunicable Diseases Ten Coincunicnble Diseases Skin Irritation (dermatitis) and Systemic PoisoninG Department or Craft Affected By Besccjrer.datIon________ Turnaround and labor Gangs, and Twenty or tore Units All Unit3 end Personnel Mechanical, labor, Processing ari Others EMO 03133 SUMK1RY OF PRELIMINARY INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SURVEY AT BtYrOWN Materiel or Condition Hydrogen end Organic Sulfides Lead Mercury Zinc, Metal Fusee Chrosates end Beryllium (Slight Exp.) Silice end Acbcstoo Potential Dises.eeo Eyo Irritation and Ulceration. Systemic Poiuoning Plumbism Mercurielisn Fume Fever, end Systemic Poisoning Lung Cencer and Skin Tumor Silicosic, Fiberoois, Erythema & Cancer of Lunge Departments or Crafts Affected By Recocro?ndnticiin Distillation, Light Fade, Cracking, Treaters, Pumpir.r. Gouging, J'xschanicai & Gt'irrr Labor, Painting, Welding end Burning and Machine Shop Instrument, Laboratory, Warehouse and Pilot Plant Mechanical Fainting, Mechanical & labor Brick Masons t Hclpero, Insulators, Laborers and Pipe Benders E PO 03134 -3 SUMMARY OF PRELIMINARY INDUSTRIAL EYGIENS SURVEY AT BAYPOWK Material or Condition Silicates and Coke Eu9t Sulfur Dioxide and Trioxide and Acid Mist NitroE.cn Dioxide Potential Effects Fibrosis, and Possibly Lung Tunors Irritetion, Asthna, and Poisoning Eileen of Lunge Departnent or Craft Affected by Ret oiracEdntIons Contact, Straining and Blending, Cracking Colls and labor Treaters, Acid Plant, Batteries, and S02 Plants Acid Plant and Welding t EH00313 5 SUMMARY 0? PRELIMINARY INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SURVEY AT BAYTOWN (Continued) Jteterial or Conditlon Benzol Toluol, Xylol and Heavy Aromatics Varocl and Hieh Aromatic Naphtha Chlorinated Hydrocorbonn Heat end Noise Potential Effects Blood Dicease and Cancer Blcod Diseaoe Dencatitie and Blcod Dioeaoo Cirrhoeic of Liver General Malnico, Exhaustion and Docfneoc Department or Craft Affected by Feconmcndatlonn MEE Plant, Laboratory and Bottle Laundry MEK, S02 Plnnte. IEFU, NRU, and P fc C UnitB Generally Used Throughout Refinery Instrument & Electrical Maintenance Creva, Pumpers, Boiler and Power HouEeo Personnel EM003136 SUKM1R7 OF liiDUSTr.lAL EYGIEK2 IR0BIZM3 il\ COWHSCTIOK KITH SOI STAND/lRB OIL D3VEL0P1EHT CCiSAIJT'S ESSO LABORATORIES RESEARCH PROJECTS AT BATOR F0UC2 (LOUISIAUit) REFIH3RY Roy S Bonsib, A<M; E#K* For the peet five or six years, periodic visits have been mdc to the Baton Rouge (Louisiana) Rofinery to discuss now research projects vllh 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 procoss instructions end included in the design of new equipment. Many of the research projects include now compoundr ouch c.c tetrehydrophthalinidc end perchloromercepton, the toxicity or physiological effects of which are unknown althoueh their physical and chemical proper ties are perfectly familiar. In Buch caoec, we have endeavored to obtain the misaing toxicological information through surveys of the available liter ature, visits to plants manufacturing or working with the raatorial in queotien and by personal discussions with qualified individuals who have studied the toxic properties of the particular compound or similar ones. Esso laboratories Gt Baton Rouge are now carrying on a numl>or of new projects which prccent definite industrial hygiono problems end health hazardo. For patont security reasons it will not bo feasible to discucc some of the most difficult problems but merely mention a few of the compounds involved; however, oevcral typical projoctc will bo presented eo illustrations of semo-of the problems encountored and a list of those which have boon con sidered in detail will be given et the conclusion of this paper. For example: RETORTING OF OIL STALE - At the present time over a thousand tone of crushed oil shale from Rifle, Colorado are being fluidized and retorted for thr United Statoo Burouu of Minos ot the rate of about 20 tone per day. A1 ' very little is known regarding the phyciologlcal effects of American Shale Oils, Scottish Shale Oils, which aro similar in composition, hnvo been definitely EPO 03137 -2- shove to bo carcinogenic/ consequently, American Shale Ci.lo may be rj-ccu-rd to be carcinogenic alco. In addition to the possible hazard due to eiir. contact vitb shale oils, the inhalation of oil micto or vaporc and the epert -shale dust are potential hazards. Then too, aromatic compounds of nitrcgn, principally as amines, and sulphur, prcoont as thiophenes or mercaptanc, nry also be sources - of trouble. EYDPOCADBDN SYITTESSTS - A series of snail pilot unite, an ve il as one or tvo larger onee, are now operating at temperature* ranging from U80r. to 9>f end pressuree ranging from atmospheric to 30J pounds per cqusro inch using various types cf catalysts. The principal ore of-theso synthetic hydrocarbon operations ie the 0X0 Syntheoio, in which eu> Olefin, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide produce an aldehyde in the presence of an iron or cobalt catalyst. This aldehyde io then converted into an alcohol such nr oetnnol. Tho main points of possible hazards are the Carbon Monoxido in the synthesis gas which io under 3000 pounds preoouro, Cobalt Carbonyl present ao the catalyot in ctop 1,and the Aldehydes preconfc ao product from step 1 and as feed to otep 2. CATALYSTS IHVESTIGATIOKS - A definite pneunonoconiosie hazerd io encountered in the grinding, blending, screening and pilling operations in volved in the production and study of nevr catalysts. A new hydroforming catalyst is now being made which requires some exposure to Pontaool and Mercuric Chloride. Other catalysts require the uce end handling of vory finoly divided (less than 3 microns) charcoal end iron oxide, as well ao com pounds of Cobalt, Manganese and Eorylllum. Aryimgements were recently made to pill ^5,000 psundo of an oxida tion catalyst made by the Davidson Chemical Company. Tbir cntnlyot contains about 6.5 percent Vanadium Pentoxide, the balance being a eilicate. "Ludcx" a liquid silicate, 1b added to facilitate the pilling. EM003138 _ _ CHEMICAL REFUTING OF GASQIJXS - A new tad. Bore effective method of refining gasoline and naphthas iG being investigated in which a colloidal Sodium ?aate in Toluol, Sulphuric Acid end Formaldehyde will he employed, METAT-HC MERCURY - A hazard centlnuoudy oncountored around roBearch laboratories results from leaving spilled metallic Mercury lying around to contaminate the atmosphere. This unsafe practice is usually prevalent in Inotrunont Repair Shops. The use of fereury Boilers operated at a temperature of 900F. and a presBuro of 80 pounds per square inch also present a definite Mercurialiem hazard unleco certain precautionary measureo are carefully ob served. C-OIL PROJECT - Dloxan9, a very volatile and inflammablo solvent, is used in the preparation of C-Oil. Besides causing oorlouc kidney injury, Dioxone also attacks the liver seriously. POLYMERIZATION PROJECTS - A wide variety of studios are under way for the production of synthetic rccino and rubber-like maverielB. These stud ies not only expose the investigators to the known hazards of such materials as Methyl Chloride, Acryolnitrile, end the various ontioridentB and inhibitors, but newer irritant compounds ouch es Boron Trichloride, and Brominated Xylonoo and Pentanes. DETERGENT ALKYLATES - Considerable active interest 1b being taken in the production of a detergent alkylate which is obtained by the alkylation of Benzene with a Cj.2 Olefin fraction uBing Aluminum Chloride as a catalyot. The hazardous materielo used in this project being Benzene and Aluminum Chloride. SPECIAL STUDIES AND DETAILED REPORTS - Detailed information inclw.Unc: noceocary precauticnary maaouroa have been secured and supplied to thocc dirnctly concerned in the Eooo Laboratories, the Medical Department end Safety EM003139 Deportment at Baton Rouge Refinery, upon the following sub'sets: 1. Vapor-Proof Flashlight3 2. Safe Beating Units 3. Determination of Formic Acid, in Urine 4. Mo&ourco for Safeguarding the Sampling and Uc.ruiling of KETEIE end variouc Intermediate Products. 5. Suggestions for Construction of New Load-Blending Room in Connection vith Esso Laboratories. 6. Periodic "ncpecticn3 of Equipment in Fischer Synthesis Pilot Operations. 7. One-Way Lock for Door of 2-Ray Laboratory to Prevent Leakage of Harmful P.ays and Exposure to Workers. 8. OCTYL ALCOHOLS end D!OCTYL PHTEALAT2. 9. 1?-Pilot Plant Precautionary Measures. 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 Gol. 12. Properties and Probable Physiological Effects of AIi!YL ALUMINUM CHLORIDES. 13. Physiological Effoctr. of ZIRCONIUM TETRACHLORIDE. - It. "DAXAD-H'1 -- Properties and Probable Physiological Effects. 15. Fh/Siologiccl Effects of BROMIMATED COMPOUNDS. 16. * Physiological Effects of Cq to C1Q ALDEHYDES. 17. Physiological Effects and Suggested Precautionary Measures for Safeguarding tho Handling of BROMINE. 10. Safeguarding the Handling of OCTYL ALCOHOL?.. E HO 03140 i ) 19. Physiological Effects of ISOFSOROHE. 20. Physiological Effects of DIOCTTi PHTHALATL. 21. Physiological Effects of BUTYRIC and ISOBvJTYiUC ACIDS. 22. Physiological Effects of AGERITS STALITE. 23. BORON TRIFLU0RID2 : Its Tori,city and Some Precautionary Measures for itB Use and Handling. 24. Physiological Effects of DI-CYCIOPENTADIEirS. 25. Physiological "fleets of DIVINYlfiENZSHE. 26. * Exploaivo Proportion of Activated Carbon Povdcr. 27. Physiological Effects of BERYLLIUM SALTS. 28. Determination of Small Concentrations of OZONE in Working Atmospheres. 29. Oil-Shale and Shale Oilc: Their Physiological Effecto and Precautionary bfcasurec for Safeguarding Thoir Handling. 30. Physiological Elfocte of COBALT CAREONYL. 31. Precautionary Measures for Safeguarding Use of Mercury Boilers. t 32. Physiological Effects and Precautionary Kearures for Handling COBALT, Finely-Divided COBALT, end COBALT CARBONYLS. s 33. BORON TRICHLORIDE : ItB properties, Physiological Effects and Suggested Precautionary Measuros. 34. PERCIiLOROMSTHYLMEF.CAPrAN : Propsrtioo ant1 Fhyoiologicr.l ' ` Response. 35 Toxicity end Physiological Effects of Cj. to .36 Phyeiological Effects of COBALT NAFRTHEMTE. ALDEHYDES. E MO 0314 1 37 . Physiological Effects and Precautionary Moasurec for 1,4 DIOXAIE. 38. Hazards end Precautionary Measures to Safeguard th~ Handling of SODIUM PASTE. 39. Determination of C03AU CARBONYL. 40. Liquid Soap Disponocro. 41. Dish-Washing Equipment and Dioh-Washing Techniques. R.S. Bonei.b, E.M. April 12, 1949 & EM003142 I SUMMARY or PLAJ7T JHKSTRIAL HTTiISIIS F150SLBK" STAKDARI' OIL COMBE.KY (H.J.) M. V. Hendricks, M.C. Mr. J. W. Haisaond has pointed out certain problems oxioring ir tic Humble Oil & Refining Company and hao Indicated the general naturo of the; Industrial Hygiene Survey which van made at the Baytovn Refinery lact yerr. In this connection I should like to emphasise one or two points concern! "r; this survey. During the course of this study approximately seventy differ ent operationo and area3 in the refinery were noted whore detailod studior for the purpose of evaluating thcoe specific orposuroo should be mode. T'v order to illustrete the extent of this vorl; it is estimated that cc.up.leto evaluation of these exposures will involve tho collection and enalycic of several hundred different samples. This will havo to be followed by an one-, lysis of the data thus obtained and later by the development of proper con trol procedures for the allevietion of the exposures. Mr. T. F. Eatch hao outlinod certain broad principles which crr basic to industrial hygiene. At this time I should like to point out c fc\; things which have happened in tho Company within tho pact year, duo to the fact that those principles havo not been applied. Within one unit of the Company two deathD occurred from exposures to carbon tetrachloride. It appears that a proper understanding of the behavior of this type materiel miglit havo avoided this situation. In another affiliate of tho Company a group of workers were exposed to arsine guo which resulted in e certain number of deaths. Here again r. study of the operationo involving the arsir.io compounds and a better ur.-t'-.r standing of'.these materials probably would hsve prevented this incident. From another affiliate vc have roceivod correspondence describing, to ur tain complaints on tho part of various groupo of workmen aud giving uc EV0031A3 Il -c Information covering the clinical picture of the individual involved. Wc were asked to give an opinion ao to vhother or not theuo complaintD ucre Justified or not. In reviewing the details described to us, it was observed that the picture presented to us outlined classical pictures of lead poiooning, metal fume fevcx> and other occupational lllo. The above points are 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 boing recognized. In many cases it is highly desirable to obtain information on cer tain exposures, although that information might be negative. Ae an example of this, one affiliate of the Company la currently involved in litigation over an exposure of clay dust which ic alleged to havo produced a certain type of pneumoconiosis followed by tuberculosis. A study of this plant and the Job which this Individual was doing indicates that the type duet in question probably is incepable of producing disabling lung pathology and further, the levels of dust exposure were low and not in the order of magnitude which could be considered dangerous oven for a dust carrying greater enounto of froe silica. In a situation such as this, a record of dust counts over a period of years would be invaluable as evidence in combating unfounded claims for dis ability. The problom of carcinogens within the Company hao boen fully diocusoed and I am eure that you are well acquainted with the various environmental as pects and the time which should be devoted to these problem" by the Industrial' Hygienist. The matter of atmospheric pollution hae been mentioned. This problem is indigenous to refinery operationa and exists in several of the effiliato companies. Thore io currently a great deal of interest a.rl activity In tin; EM003U4 I II .1 - field cf otmoojfceric pollution and Governmental agencies, including tie U.S. Public Health Service, are considering this a natter c-f public health dimensions. Certainly thore aro both public health and ccdical Juplica tions asoociated vith atmospheric pollution end tho nodical departments of induotry of ncccaaity inherit certain re3ponclbllltlcr. In order to illustrate the inportance which ctnonpherie pollution at tlsee may assume, 1 wish to bring to your attention two situations involving affiliateo of the Company. One affiliate operating in a foreign area has been sued for One Million Dollars and hes paid $250,000 in connection with the atmospheric pollution ceuoed by their refinery. Another affiliate of the Company ic currently considering locating a refinery in o foreign area. The local Government of this particular area has brought up tee problem of whet will be the extent cf eir pollution and wants to be assured that no problem will exist. In thie situation the natter of atmospheric pollution may determine whether or not the refinery ic located at tho proposed site. There arc a number of problems within the Company which dc not lend themcclveo readily to the usual field methods of investigation employed by Inductrial Hygienists. These problems cannot be evaluated by the collection and analysis of samples as is normally done with many routino industrial hygiene problems. These particular situations can be approached only by statistical methods with the proper correlation of medical and employment records with the clinical findings or. the exposed groups of workers. Problems of this-kind arc illustrated by the wax operations at B&yonno end Baton Rouge; the current investigation being carried out in the Chemical Froducto Division at Bayway, . the workers who in the past have been exposed to carbon tetrachloride in operating the berascl plant at 3aton Rouge,and otherc. EMO 0314 5 -h- From tine to tine trc aro edited to cooiot in predicting the n/itvro of certein problems vblcb vould develop from the use of to::ic materials in certain Company products. In work cf this kind we nre celled upon to cal culate on a theoretical bsBis concentration levels of various compounds which could exist from the use of materials manufactured in various vayc. Information of this type is at tines helpful to certain people in evaluating and considering the inclusion of certain compounds in manufacturing procedures. Currently there is a considerable amount of interest on the part of official Governmental groupo towards the adoption of codec end regulations which would establish certain hygienic standards for industrial operations. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Eygionlets has recently prepared a proposed uniform Industrial Hygiene Code which they expect to serve as a guide for the various Stateo. In preparing such rules and regulations for local adoption. It appears that, if and when such cedes ere adopted in the. various States, from a legal standpoint the Conpany will be responsible for compliance with the various provisions. Therefore, it lias boon important for us to follow the progress of these codes and to study their ccntonts with the thought in mind as to whot implications might result from their adoption. Recently the Frovlnco of Quoboc officially adoptod such o cod'* and industries in that area are now governed by the various provisions. This directly affectr the Montreal Refinery of the Imperial. Oil Company. From information which we have obtained concerning the Quebec Code, it appsaro that the local Government Agency responsible for the administration of this Code means business and that they expect industry in that Province* to comply with the provisions. To-give you seme idea as to the extent and typo of therm prolile*TM, 1 might cay that during 19^6 wo advised eleven affiliate companies on approxi mately two-hundred-fifty ceparato problems. These cane t.s requests for Infor mation and assistance and I believe have represented cone of the problems E HO 03146 t : -- -?- which vere recognized. It further appears that these mats up only a email portion of the actual problems in existence, as many such si tint iocs are not recognised and, ao a result, so vork ic being done on them. There is an urgent need fox a closer coordination between the medical and engineering investigations on industrial hygiene problems. I do not th-fnv that this point can be over-emphasized. It cannot be assumed that industrial hygiene represents an engineering function alone, but on the other hand the fact must bo accepted that proper investigation of en vironmental problems noceositatcs the team vork of the physician end the engineer. This has not yet been done to any appreciable extent within the Company. In summary I should say that some of the environmental problems have boon recognized and have beon studied in a fairly complete fashion. Many others have been recognized, but their study has been extremely in complete end insufficient date were developed to permit indicated onalyris of the problem. Although some of these problems have received ettention, there are groat areao of deficiency with rcopect to other problems concern ing their existence, extent, and nature of control methods required. This t applies not only to the mere existence of such problemo, but goes into ouch considerations eo toxicity, use of nsteriol3, groups of workers exposed, their clinical pictures and the like. I believe that it all adds up to the fact that we have ahead of us a tremendous amount of vork which must be done. N.V. Hendricks April 11, 1949 EM003147