Health hazard evaluation report HETA 85-334-1676, Olin Corporation, Marion, Illinois
Exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at the Olin Corporation, Marion, Illinois, were evaluated. The evaluation was requested by a representative of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, which leased the facility to Olin. Portions of the facility had previously been occupied by a manufacturer of PCB-containing electrical components. General airborne and wipe samples were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. In occupied buildings, only one air sample contained PCBs above the limit of detection. The sample showed a concentration of 0.34 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m/sup 3/) of Arochlor-1242. Airborne concentrations in unoccupied buildings ranged from 0.25 to 19.53 microg/m/sup 3/. Wipe samples in production areas of occupied buildings were below the limit of detection of 0.5 microg/sample. Wipe samples from buildings used for shipping, receiving, and storage ranged from 1.2 to 3.2 microg per 100 cm/sup 2/. Surface PCB contamination concentrations in unoccupied buildings ranged from the detection limit to 980 microg/100cm2. The authors conclude that no hazard from PCBs exists in areas of this facility occupied by personnel. Because PCBs are possible human carcinogens, it is recommended that steps be taken to further reduce surface contamination through systematic cleaning. Future use of presently unoccupied buildings would require more extensive decontamination operations.
- Research Organization:
- National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5043268
- Report Number(s):
- PB-86-223971/XAB; HETA-85-334-1676
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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