Mercury control technology assessment study: GTE Products Corporation, Chemical and Metallurgical Division, Towanda, Pennsylvania. Preliminary survey report for the site visit of June 9, 1981. Final report

Technical Report · Fri Jun 25 04:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6080642

Telesca, D R

A visit was made to GTE Products Corporation, Chemical and Metallurgical Division, Towanda, Pennsylvania to evaluate mercury control methods. The company manufactured chemical, metal, and ceramic products; tungsten bar pressing and treating required the use of mercury. Ten workers had potential mercury exposure during this typical tungsten-sintering activity. Mercury was used as a continuous electrical contact in the sintering process and was contained in pools called mercury cups. Each sintering unit was located in a ventilated enclosure. The ventilation system, air-supply, and air-exhaust systems are described. Personal protective equipment included sheepskin gloves, Tyvek disposable smocks, and air-line respirators. Work practices were delineated. Biological monitoring included monthly urinalysis for mercury. Workers with urine mercury level exceeding 0.10 milligrams/liter were removed to another area of the facility. Air-contaminant monitoring was not routinely performed at this site. The authors conclude that existing control strategies associated with the manufacture of tungsten rods may be effective in controlling exposures to mercury. It is recommended that the facility adopt a regular air-monitoring program to determine levels of mercury in ambient air.

• Research Organization: Dynamac Corp., Rockville, MD (USA). Enviro Control Div.
• OSTI ID: 6080642
• Report Number(s): PB-89-137301/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
CLOTHING
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
ENGINEERING
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INDUSTRY
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MERCURY
METAL INDUSTRY
METALS
MONITORS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
POLLUTION
PROGRESS REPORT
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
SAFETY
SAFETY ENGINEERING
SINTERING
TOXIC MATERIALS
VAPORS
VENTILATION