Document yyLgVby7j5Zm3R0Okg5rwQmE

DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A. 50983________________________________________________________ TEXAS DIVISION FREEPORT, TEXAS 775*1 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH REPORT AIRBORNE ASBESTOS TRICHLOR ETHYLENE BUILDING B-1510 FILE NO.. B15-1175 ^TF May 5, 1977 author H. N, Edvards CHECKED htay /Z /<?77 DATE. Summary Airborne asbestos levels exceeded the prescribed limits during the handling of dry insulation containing asbestos and the employee performing this operation had a potential for overexposure had he not had on proper protective equipment. It is recommended before any insulation containing asbestos is removed, the entire area should be wetted. It is also recommended that proper protective equipment be a continued use. The employee who handles the asbestos should be informed of the consequences of overexposure. This informing should be documented. --I O O on ro co Distribution C. L. Crocker B-3501 R. E. Flake B-101 McMichael B-1510 AN OPERATING UNIT OF THE DOW CHEMICAL. COMPANY File B15-1175 -2- May 5, 1977 1ZISI001S INTRODUCTION At the request of supervision, asbestos levels were evaluated during the asbestos removal from a large pipe at B-1510. The survey was made on April 25, 1977. METHODOLOGY Airborne fibers were collected by pulling air through a Millipore Filter (AWG003700) mounted in a Millipore disposable cassette. Air was drawn through the filter using a Bendix Micronair Pump (Bendix Corp., Baltimore, Md.), pulling air at a calibrated rate of 1500 cubic centimeters per minute. Samples were analyzed by Lee Martin of Central Laboratory using the standard procedures. Before any work was done samples were collected in areas shown in Figure 1. The insulator then was fitted with protective coveralls, gloves and respirator before the task was begun. A monitor was also placed on the employee to collect breathing zone samples. The insulator first disconnected the bands and loosened the asbestos on top of the piping. During this operation a personal sample was collected. Then the entire pipe with asbestos wetted and asbestos removed, bagged and disposed of. During this operation a second personal sample was collected. RESULTS Area #1,2 and 3 were monitored for five minutes and had less than 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter greater than 5.0 micrometers (Figure 1) . The first personal sample was for 5 minutes and evaluated to be 12.3 fibers/cc. This was during the day opening. The second personal sample was for 16 minutes and reach 1.2 fibers/ cc. This was after the asbestos had been wetted. The employee was F. W. Garcia, Insulator #723 for Styrothane Company, Freeport, Texas. CONCLUSIONS The insulator was not overexposed because he wore proper protective equipment, but had he not used the equipment he would have exceeded the 10.0 fibers/cc peak limit. File B15-1175 -3- May 5, 1977 RECOMMENDATIONS 1. It is recommended that before any work is begun that all the area be wetted. 2. It is also recommended that the use of proper protective equipment be continued. It is further recommended that the employees who handle asbestos be informed of this survey, and also informed of the consequences of overexposure to asbestos. This informing should be documented. ST00I5I25 EHS HNE/bbs 5-5-77 ST00I5126 cf> LL