Document wr07eQDqQ3vDpjdN8BeQr8D13

PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT lit* MmMoI ConwnMon Ot Ohio OMUon Of SaMy S Hyatto* 24 R Mgh U. Oot. a 4U1A December 6, 1982 Legal Section Industrial Com mis. ion of Ohio 246 North High Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 Re: OD 19266-22 Chester Bates Owens-Illinois Columbus, Ohio 43207 Attention: Judy Spencer Dear Ms Spencer: On September 21, 1982, a visit was made by Robert Crackel to OwensIllinois, 711 Southwood Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43207. The purpose was to collect industrial hygiene data relative to the occupational disease claim of Chester Bates, OD 19266-22. Mr. Bates reportedly developed lung disease as a result of 27 years of exposure to glass and silica dust as well as hydrofluoric acid. The company manufactures television picture tubes. A complete service record for the claimant at Owens-Illinois was provided (see attachment.) The company's first aid records showed the claimant had numerous headaches and colds over the years as well as recurrent tonsilitls. According to the company, Mr. Bates worst exposures would have been at a set-up worker and as a grinder. In this area rough tube edges are ground, moved to be washed, moved to the acid bath to further smooth them, rinsed, and moved for final washing. Set-up workers adjust machines for ware (size) changes and drain and refill the acid tanks occasionally. The acid tanks are filled with a mixture of hydrofluoric and sulfuric acids. The tanks are vented with three-sided canopy-type hoods. Visible fumes appear to be captured. A set-up worker only stays around the acid tanks for routine maintenance and to correct problems on the line. Y > [ I or Owens-Illinois Page Two Grinders place the TV funnel tubes on a large, automatic garnet grinding wheel and then replace them on the automatic line to move to washing and the acid tank. The grinding job is a wet process, and although there was a moderate amount of slurry around the machine, the amount of dust around the machines appeared to be negligible. Air sampling was done in bcth the grinding and the acid areas and on workers in both areas. The results are listed in Table 1. Because the amount of respirable dust collected was so low, no acceptable safe limit (TLV) could be calculated. However, if even the high estimate of 20% free silica is used, the safe limit would be well above the claimant's exposure. Given the nature of the process and the low weight gain, it is felt that the dust exposure posed no hazard. Tests for fluorides were far below the TLV adopted by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Also, sampling for hydrogen fluent, (gas) throughout the day showed no gas escaping from the hood. These test ' "-lilts are consistent with results obtained in February 1958 by this agency at the company's request. Those data showed HF concentrations below 1 ppm when the ventilation was operating. Threshold Limit Values refer to airborne concentrations of substances and represent conditions under which it Is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed day after day without adverse effect. Because of wide variadonr In individual susceptibility, however, a small percentage of workers may experience discomfort from some substances at concentrations at or below the threshold limit; a smaller percencage may be affected more seriously by aggravation of a pre-existing condition or by development of an occupational illnesn. The TLV-TWA should be used as guides in the control of health hazards and should not be used rs fine lines between safe and dangerous concentrations. In summary, no probable wc; x-reiated cause for the claimant's condition was found during this investigation. RJC:gjb Attachments: 1 Table 01 Service Record RcJbestf J. Greckel Industrial Hygitn.lst r- oo wO os E Co S gS3| 88, 5 8 ? uj !f<s a> 3 S ihs? f| |1 o a 2 x> z </> Z UJ 3Z& Z TABLE c < ?X 5S *c 3s ' 1 2ec c 6 2 3 Ecw <33 , lii C Sa.2 5o O i^irir >5 *o So "30 ? 4) - --E go 2 &x 22c 3 . *co-- g~ sc 5-2io= cy S'8 &e = S | J * . c E 8 is 5 HH< >2eo> H<. Owens-Illinois