Document x3g7gE78gR5xRNZw94JywMoy

Mr. J. R. Skahill Battery Products Division 1205 Broadway Red Oak, Iowa December 6, 1974 Medical Department 4th Floor Mr. R. S. Chrlstie/Mr. T. J. Burke Mr. E. Domokos Mr. G. L. Harshaw Mr. E. F. Griffin Mr. F. P. Preissle Dr. J. J. Welsh Dr. K. S. lane IndustrialHygiene Surve Red Oak -Oct. 29-30. 19 Dear Mr. Skahill: A routine periodic industrial hygiene survey was conducted at the Red Oak plant on October 29-30, 1974. All plant areas were inspected, and air samples were collected for airborne dusts and vapors. These air samples were analyzed for total dust, manganese, vinyl chloride monomer, toluene, and methyl isobutyl ketone. The attached tables of data summarize the results of these air samples. Airborne manganese dust, both in the mix room and in the press room, was found to be well below the 5 *g/M^ celling concentration, which is the current OSHA standard for manganese. Ihe two personal-type air samples collected this year on the mix room operator averaged 0.10 milligrams of manganese per cubic meter of workroom air. The average of the two samples collected this year on the person of a cramlc molding machine operator was 0.19 milligrams of work room air. Only one .sample was collected this year on the person of a Stokes press operator. It contained O.32 milligrams of manganese pfr cubic meter of workroom air, as shown in one of the tables attached to this report. UCC 067800 All of the total duet air samples collected this year in these production areas have also been proportionately low. The maxlmm such air sample was the highest of the three tabulated in this report. This sample represents the highest such sample collected in this area since June, 197fe* when two samples of comparable magnitude were obtained. T*o air samples were collected, representing a total of 7 hours of the work day, on October 29, on the person of the FTC extrusion machine operator. Ho detectable amount of vinyl chloride monomer was found In either of these air samples. If these are valid results, each of these samples would contain less than 0.1 ppm of vinyl chloride monomer. However, due to an error, these samples were nailed by parcel post and were not received at the Kdgewater laboratory until 10 days after they were mailed. As a result, It is believed that these results are not as valid as earlier ones have been. Air samples were also collected in the paint room, both on detector tubes for Immediate reading and on charcoal for laboratory analysis, for the determination of toluene and methyl lsobutyl ketone. Toluene as high as 100 ppm was found in the comer beside the roll coat operation. Two one-hour personal-type air samples, collected on the operator by using a Slpin personal sampling pump and a charcoal tuba (MSA Fart NO. 459004) showed his exposure to toluene to be 35 ppm and 44 ppm. NO methyl lso butyl ketone was detected by either sampling method. NO air samples for lead fume or perchloroethylene were collected during this inspection trip. I greatly appreciate the courtesies extended to me during my visit. If I can be of further assistance, please let me know. Very truly yours, EGB/eg Attachment E. 0. Brown Industrial Hygienist ----- - (jqq 067801