Document oea3Y5mJgOd7mGYq0x3VxveB7

DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A. LOUISIANA OlVISION P. O. SOX ISO PLAQUE MINE. LOUISIANA 707S4 ______ 504 389-8000 INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE REPORT The asbestos in air monitoring for the first half of 1980 has been completed in the Chlor-Alkali II block. Survey results were satisfactory and well below the acceptable threshold limit value of 2 fibers per cubic centimeter greater than five (5) microns in length. The highest exposure recorded was 0.40 fibers per cc of air. Due to the low results obtained in routine time-weighted sampling, it is recommended that short duration excursion sampling be emphasized in future surveys. Good housekeeping, strict safe operating procedures, and a constant vigil for problem areas are the most important considerations for a successful abatement program. Employees must be informed of the sur vey results and must review the consequences of over-exposure to asbestos fibers. (See Attachment 2.) ^ __; CD DISTRIBUTION LOUISIANA M. F. Currier - 2303 L. W. Rampy - 1803 *F. D. Axe - Pittsburg G. W. Daigre - 2501 M. Swank - 1803 *R. L. Daniel - Freeport E. P. Edwards - 3701 *S. A. Goode - OCD C. L. Melancon - 4701 *R. J. McCormick - Strongs *W. J. Neely - 2306 R. D. Olsen - Sarnia --T-.--Riahandflft----5G01 ----- File (2) - 2501 < . /yg OPERATING UNIT OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY S I 0 ! "I DOW CHEMICAL U.S.A. INTRODUCTION LOUISIANA DIVISION p- * B0X 160 PLAQUE MINE. LOUISIANA 70764 The required asbestos in air monitoring for the first5tfta3?`8of 1980 has been completed. The survey serves to protect the employees against over-exposure, pinpoint problem areas and fulfill the requirements of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act. DISCUSSION In addition to everyday safety equipment, operators are required to wear disposable paper suits, rubber gloves and proper dust respirators when handling or working with asbestos. The safe procedure for handling asbestos should be discussed with each new employee before entering the work area and reviewed annually with the experienced operators as part of the ongoing Industrial Hygiene Education Program. EXPERIMENTAL Sampling Method Personnel samples are collected from the operators' breathing zone with a millipore filter (37 mm diameter; 0.8 micron pore size) mounted on .an open-face filter holder and attached to the operators' lapels. These cassettes are connected to monitoring pumps calibrated with a soap bubble meter to operate at a rate of 1.5 to 2.0 liters per minute. Analytical The asbestos samples are analyzed using the NIOSH Approved Method, P & CAM 239. RESULTS (See Attachment 1) Six personnel samples were collected from the operators' breathing zones. Monitoring results of the six samples indicate all samples were well below the present exposure limit of 2 fibers > 5 microns in length per cubic centimeter. Highest recorded sample was 0.40 fibers per cc. AN OPERATING UNIT OF THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY -3- RECOMMENDATIONS Further short-term excursion sampling is recommended in future sampling to better determine if problems exist in sbme jobs. CONCLUSIONS The monitoring results were satisfactory and well below the established exposure limit of two fibers per cubic centimeter. However, due to the hazardous nature of asbestos, housekeeping and good safe operating procedures remain the most important con siderations for a good abatement program. This must be a daily, job-by-job program to be successful and to offer the greatest protection to the employee. The Chlor Alkali II employees must be informed of this survey's results and the consequences of over-exposure reviewed. (See Attachment 2.) sb DATE 5/15/80 3/20/80 4/9/80 5/1/80 5/28/80 5/28/80 SAMPLE # 266 434 443 444 450 451 ATTACHMENT 1 SAMPLE DESCRIPTION DURATION (MIN.) OTT - Pulping Cells 85 OTT - Pulping Cells 60 SOT - Pulping Cells 45 OTT - Pulping Cells 65 OTT - Pulping Cells SOT - Pulping Cells 105 90 VOLUME (1) 144.5 102.0 76.5 110.5 178.5 153.0 FIBERS/ >5 micron: IN LENGTH < 0. 01 < 0.01 0. 10 0.40 0.03 0.05 CO CD 10/9/80 sb CONSEQUENCES OF OVEREXPOSURE COMPOUND: Asbestos EXPOSURE LIMIT: 2 >5fibers/ml , microns in length ODOR: none EYcS: Contact with the dust can cause irritation SIMILAR TO THAT CAUSED BY SIMILAR FOREIGN BODIES. INGESTION: Some evidence indicates that swallowed ASBESTOS MAY INCREASE CHANCES OF STOMACH CANCER. DUST INHALATION: 7- Long Term: i NHALLn i iWiv ui ? T rf i noil f*. !.* ** r- *. ? *" ** *'*'* iuho OF THE DUST MAY CAUSE MODERATE DISCOMFORT. INHALATION OF MODERATELY HIGH CONCENTRATIONS MAY CAUSE NO DISCOMFORT. Inhalation of the asbestos fibers in conjunction with smoking has beE1 shown to increase chances of lung CANCER BY. ABOUT 90 TIMES THAT OF A PERSON WHO NEITHER SMOKES NOR WORKS WITH ASBESTOS. CAN ALSO CAUSE A SERIOUS LUNG DISEASE CALLED ASBESTOS Can also cause cancer of the chest LINING. COMMENTS: Proper respirator is required when working with asbestos. BSHorvath 6/22/76