Is My Chemistry Building Safe? AIHCE 2000 - Orlando, FL
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Transcript of Is My Chemistry Building Safe? AIHCE 2000 - Orlando, FL
Is My Chemistry Building Is My Chemistry Building Safe?Safe?
AIHCE 2000 - Orlando, FLAIHCE 2000 - Orlando, FLMichael B. Amster P.E., CIH, CSP, Michael B. Amster P.E., CIH, CSP, CHMMCHMM
M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MAMAMichael Sauda CSPMichael Sauda CSP
University of Maine System, Bangor, University of Maine System, Bangor, MEME
M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA
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BackgroundBackground
The Chemistry Department is located in an old academic/research Chemistry Building on a campus in the University of Maine System.
Ventilation system sequentially upgraded– Generally not consistent with
currently accepted design criteria
M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA
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Issue of ConcernIssue of Concern To address the Faculty, Staff
and Student Committee concerns about the death of two long-time members of the Chemistry Department from identical brain cancers within a period of approximately two years.
M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA
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Study ObjectiveStudy Objective To determine if any chemical(s)
are present in the Chemistry Building, previously unnoticed or unidentified, that may be putting the occupants at unnecessary risk.
– Conduct air and surface sampling – Provide comment on observations of
building activities
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Chemicals/Chemicals/Classes of ConcernClasses of Concern
Committee research: Volatile Organics, especially
chlorinated hydrocarbons: Airborne
Semi-Volatile Organics, especially pesticides: Airborne and Surface
Metals: Surface Mercury: Airborne
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Sampling LocationsSampling Locations
Committee chose sampling locations to include: – Teaching/Research/Support/
Preparation/Instrument/Labs– Classrooms, Auditorium, Faculty
Offices, Stock Room
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Sampling LocationsSampling Locations
$1,200/point (VOC/Semi-VOC/Metal)
Screening, w/follow-up as necessary
Additional Issue: Physical Chemistry labs for
metallic mercury
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Sampling MethodsSampling Methods Airborne:
– Quartz lined canisters: VOCs: EPA T0-14, (GC/MS) (M-39+15TICs)
– Polyurethane Foam Filter: Semi-VOC: EPA 8270, (GC/MS) (M-98+ 15TICs)
Surface: Wipes– Semi-VOC: EPA 8270, (GC/MS)– Metals: NIOSH 7300, (ICP) (M-20)
Direct Reading: Jerome Meter – Mercury
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Survey ScheduleSurvey Schedule January: During Break
– Building background– Airborne and surface
February: Mid-Semester– Added student/research lab. activity– Airborne only
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Applicable Applicable StandardsStandards
Airborne– PELs– TLVs
Surface/Wipe Samples – No compliance standards
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ApplicableApplicableStandardsStandards
ASHRAE 62-1989 - Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality– 1/10 TLV – Guideline for non-industrial
exposure– Usual level of detection for IH
sampling
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VOCs (Jan.)VOCs (Jan.)Classroom
Method – 1,4
Dichlorobenzene
(2 ppb) TICs– Butane (1 ppb) – Acetone (3 ppb) – IPA (4 ppb)
Faculty OfficeMethod – N/D
TICs– 2,2,4 Trimethylpentane
(1 ppb)– Isobutane (2 ppb)– Butane (2 ppb)– Acetone (2 ppb)
M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA
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VOCs (Feb.)VOCs (Feb.)
Support Laboratory
Method– m,p-Xylene (4
ppb) TICs– Propene (4 ppb)
Faculty OfficeMethod– 1,1,1Trichloroethan
e (1 ppb)
– m,p-Xylene (.5 ppb) TICs– Propene (10 ppb)
M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA
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VOCs (Feb.)VOCs (Feb.)
Background Office Method– Freon 11 (.1 ppb)– 1,4 Dichlorobenzene (2
ppb)
TICs– Isopropanol (70 ppb)
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Semi-VOCsSemi-VOCsAirborne (Jan.)Airborne (Jan.)
N/D, Method or TICs, per protocol
Detection Limit: Low ppb/High ppt
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Semi-VOCsSemi-VOCsAirborne (Feb.)Airborne (Feb.)
Stock RoomMethod– 2-Ethylhexyl Adipate (3
ppb)TICs– N/D
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Semi-VOCsSemi-VOCsSurfaceSurface
N/D, Method or TICs, per protocol
Detection Limit: Low microgram per square foot
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Metal - SurfaceMetal - SurfaceLab, Class Room, and Office
Walls ug/ft2 DL (ug)
Aluminum (4/5) 14-31 <10 Barium (1/5) 3.4 <1.0 Calcium (5/5) 11-140 <.25
Copper (1/5) 3.0 <1.0 Iron (5/5) 9.7-57 <2.0
M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA
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Metal - SurfaceMetal - SurfaceLab, Class Room, and Office
Walls ug/ft2 DL (ug)
Magnesium (5/5) 3.7-17 <2.0 Manganese (1/5) 1.0 <1.0Sodium (2/5) 11-17 <10Lead (1/5) 12 <3.0
Zinc (4/5) 1.2-22 <1.0
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Mercury - AirborneMercury - Airborne
Various Research/Teaching Labs, Classrooms, Faculty Offices – .000-.004ppm
Physical Chemistry Lecture Hall – Vacuum rack
platform: .000-.006ppm– Visible mercury present
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Mercury - AirborneMercury - Airborne
Target Faculty Office/Research Lab.– After an already major clean-up – General: .006-.031ppm – Over floor drain: up to .042ppm– PEL 0.1ppm(C) and TLV .025ppm
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Additional Additional ObservationsObservations
Working Alone: opaque glass, locked doors, accessible communications, need for graded “work permits”
Chemical Movement: dry ice/gas cylinders carried in occupied elevator
General Lab Safety: PPE, proper use of available engineering controls
Redefined: “Academic Freedom”
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ConclusionsConclusions
Levels of VOC & Semi-VOC well w/in occupational health limits– Nothing insidious, based on analysis– Does not preclude the necessity of
upgrading the lab facilities, ventilation design and function
Metals present on surfaces– Housekeeping and personal hygiene
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ConclusionsConclusions Significant levels of mercury
remain in the Target Office/Lab.– Remediate before return to
beneficial occupancy Mercury spill precautions in
Physical Chemistry Lecture Hall – Spill prevention/control program– Mercury containing equipment
replacement