Document yw3b3EBp2LwE0XEnNQ4bVd62

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING The Rittenhouse Hotel Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia, Pa. Tuesday September 19, 1989 8:30 a.m. Attendees: Frank Borrelli, Georgia Gulf Larry Brecker, Witco/Argus Division Chuck Bush, BFGoodrich Company Bill Carroll, Occidental Chemical Bob Elcik, Occidental Chemical Lee Fishbein, Borden Chemicals Don Goodman, Occidental Chemical Roy Gottesman, Vinyl Institute John Krokosky, Dow Chemical Marcelo Hirschler, BFGoodrich Company Joe Ledvina, Vista Chemical Gabe Lefebvre, BFGoodrich Debbie Neale, BFGoodrich Company A1 Reventas, Shintech Inc. I. SELF-INTRODUCTIONS AND MINUTES APPROVAL Following self-introductions, and identification of fire exits, the minutes of the last meeting of the Technical Committee held on May 8th were approved as received. II. PROJECT REVIEWS A. Technical Information Papers 1. VCM Generation in Landfills John Krokosky has prepared a draft of the paper relating to vinyl chloride monomer generation in landfills. He has received some comments and suggestions and the plan is now to have modifica tions made in the original draft. The importance SPI-11061 2 of issuing this paper was noted inasmuch as the issue of vinyl chloride monomer generation has been raised in Wisconsin and California. Roy Gottesman noted that an EPA contractor had recently made inquiry on the impact of PVC in landfills, apparent ly related to this issue. It was agreed that John K^okosky will make the necessary modifications and have the paper in final form to Roy Gottesman by October 6th. The paper will then receive legal review, and will be issued as a technical informa tion sheet, this to be followed by appropriate public relations releases via the Edward Howard and Company agency. The possibility of publishing this in a technical journal will be pursued separately as well as possible presentations at appropriate conferences. Assignment: ' John Krokosky is to complete the modifications of the paper and submit same to Roy Gottesman by October 6th. Roy Gottesman is to coordinate the publication of the paper as a technical information bulletin from the Vinyl Institute, as well as appropriate public relations releases. 2. Indoor Pollution From PVC Frank Borrelli reported that he has now received information relating to phthalate plasticizer releases, which indicates that this should not create an indoor pollution problem. This informa tion will be incorporated into the balance of the paper, which should be completed in October. Assignment: Frank Borrelli is to complete the rewriting of this paper and to submit it to Nora Jacobs as soon as possible during the month of October. B. Pipe Issues 1. Update on California EIR Status Roy Gottesman reported on the historical and current status of the California EIR. The Draft EIR has been issued and is very favorable toward plastic pipe. The draft report indicates no adverse environmental impact would be caused by the expanded SPI-11062 5 Subsequently, another group meeting within SPI reconsidered the issue because there are insuffi cient funds to further develop the test at NIBS. In the discussion that followed, it was Dr. Hirschler's recommendation that the Vinyl Institute contribute funding and work to modify the test. Roy Gottesman offered his view that since NIBS does not have money to proceed, a better venue for further development of the test would be ASTM. He suggested that the test be moved into ASTM with appropriate caveats including the fact that the test is not fully developed. Such an approach would be consistent with the needs and expectations of other members of SPI. Debbie Neale questioned the necessity for submittal to ASTM as she does not sense the urgency for having this information available as there is not current legislative pressure on the issue. The assignments listed below were agreed upon: - Fred Clarke is to work with Dr. Hirschler to develop a technical position paper dealing with the NIBS test as currently developed and the strengths and shortcomings in the testing procedure. Debbie Neale will work with Lew Freeman and Pat Toner at SPI advising them of her views that there is still time in the legislative process before any actions are required and attempting to delay any submittal to ASTM. Vinyl Institute will continue to work with NIBS in refining the test, provided they are able to obtain funding. Marcelo Hirschler will attend a meeting with Richard Gann at NIST regarding this test, but will do so as a representative of BFGoodrich Company and not the Vinyl Institute. 3. University of Edinburgh Corrosion Study Preliminary results are available, but were not discussed at this meeting as it was to be reviewed in-depth at the Electrical Materials Council Meeting which was scheduled to follow this Technical Committee Meeting. SPI-U063 6 4. Publications, on Medical/Health Effects...Program Dr. Hinderer was not present to report on this. Assignment: Roy Gottesman is to follow-up with Bob Hinderer regarding the completion of these publications at Southwest Research. D. Solid Waste Management 1. Heavy Metals in Incinerator Ash a. Cadmium - Position Statement The position statement developed by the subcommittee was presented by Chuck Bush. The statement was as follows: "Position Statement on the Use of CadmiumContaining Materials in PVC Because of growing public concern and ac cumulating data about the presence of cadmiumcontaining products in the municipal solid waste stream disposed of by incineration, the Vinyl Institute recommends that alternatives to cadmium-containing stabilizers and pigments be vigorously pursued and, as technically viable substitutes are identified, manufac turers expeditiously incorporate them in PVC compounds and products." In the ensuing discussion, there were some feelings that the statement was not as forceful as some felt necessary. However, the positions of the Cadmium Council and the Dry Color Manufacturers Association were mentioned. The above position statement was approved by a 122 vote on motion of Mr. Lefebvre with one modification - "PVC" in the statement is to be replaced by "vinyl". The following assignments were agreed to: - Chuck Bush will advise the Board of this position statement and recommend its acceptance. Chuck Bush will reply to recent letters that he has received from the Dry Color SPI-11064 7 Manufacturers Association and the Cadmium Council. Assuming acceptance of the revised policy statement by the Executive Board, Roy Gottesman will send same to the Council For Solid Waste Solutions for their incorporation into an overall plastics industry statement. b. Lead - Franklin Associates Report Mr. Lefebvre discussed the activity at Franklin Associates which indicated that there was actually more lead due to plastics in the waste stream than had been originally suggested. Largely, this is due to an unexpected finding of lead in imported shoes. It is necessary to develop a position paper on non-critical applications of lead. In that statement, it will be necessary to point out that wire and cable applications are not a major part of the municipal solid waste stream. Bill Carroll proposed a statement that would embody the use of lead, mostly in electrical applications in wire and cable which is not part of the municipal solid waste stream. Gabe Lefebvre suggested that Franklin Associates be asked to get a separate estimate from a shoe trade association, to confirm their findings regarding lead levels in shoes. The following assignments were agreed to: - Bill Carroll will provide a draft position statement regarding lead in non-critical applications. Bud Hall and Chuck Bush are to finish the development of a white paper on noncritical applications of lead. Samples of imported shoes are to be obtained by Bill Carroll in the Philadel phia area, Gabe Lefebvre in the midwest and Joe Le'dvina in the Houston area, and these will be sent to Larry Brecker for lead analysis. Franklin Associates will be asked to hold up any further work on their report, SPI-11065 8 pending verification of lead stabilizers in vinyl shoes. 2. Recycling a. Recycling Task Force Roy Gottesman reviewed the activities of this group during the past several months, including contacts at Wellman and Browning Ferris as well as the Dupont/Waste Management joint venture. The necessity for developing a sortation technique that results in removal of PVC was highlighted, particularly as it relates to contamination of PET, which has been observed by several recyclers. The methods for separation of PVC that are currently available were reviewed as follows: 1. Govoni-Tecoplast - Roy Gottesman reported on a recent contact with IFM, the U.s. subsidiary of Govoni. They will not license their technology, but want to sell a complete MRF. Chuck Bush reported on his recent visit to the Govoni facility in Italy and stated his belief that the technology is based on x-ray fluorescence. 2. Rutgers - Bill Carroll discussed the contacts at Rutgers, including the escalation in cost to $199,000 to obtain, install and develop a process based on xray fluorescence using an ASOMA device. 3. National Recovery Technology Inc. - Roy Gottesman and Bill Carroll discussed their recent visit to NRT in Nashville and the development there of an x-ray technology and detection method that has proven successful in finding all types of vinyl products, viz bottles, pipe, containers for flammable liquids in a mixed solid waste stream. They offered their opinion that the separation of vinyl from a mixed plastic stream should be feasible using the same technology. Following the discussion, it was agreed that at the Executive Board Meeting on September 20th, Dr. Bush will recommend to the Board that a grant of $150,000 be given to NRT to develop SP1-11066 9 a process for the sortation and separation of vinyl from a mixed plastic stream, using their technology and that in addition, $50,000 be given to Rutgers, via the Plastics Recycling Foundation to enable them to purchase the ASOMA device and incorporate it into the sortation program being sponsored by the Council For % Solid Waste Solutions. b. Council For Solid Waste Solutions Bob Elcik, who is a member of the CSWS Operating Committee provided an update on the Council's recent activities along with hand outs. c. Vermont Republic Industries Don Goodman provided a report on the first year project at Vermont Republic Industries. Their suggestion for a second year program is to find products that could be manufactured from recycled vinyl. Included in their suggestions are a conductive container for computer chips, a file folder that could be used for the collection of office paper for recycling, and a space saver to be installed in a toilet tank to conserve water. There was discussion too concerning the desirability of encouraging this type of activity at VRI or whether the best approach would be to find markets for VRI in which they could sell their material. The following assignments were agreed to: - Roy Gottesman will write to Al Voegele at VRI advising him of the committee's views regarding the development of a product from recycled vinyl vs. marketing recycled vinyl more broadly. Don Goodman, working with Al Voegele, will develop a proposal for a second year program for consideration by the Technical Committee. Work at Georgia Gulf to try to develop a file folder for recycled office paper will be brought to conclusion and within the next few weeks, Don Goodman is to convene a telephone conference with Chuck Bush, SPI-11067 10 Frank Borrelli and Roy Gottesman to discuss future activity at VRI. III. NEXT MEETING PATH The next meeting date will be held at an eastern location early in December, date and place to be decided by Chuck Bush and Roy Gottesman. Respectfully submitted. Roy T. Gottesman SPI-U068