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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Industrial-hygiene survey report, Cain Chemical, Inc. , Bayport Plant, Pasadena, Texas, June 1-2, 1988

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6150561

A walk-through survey was conducted at the Cain Chemical Company, Petrochemical Division, Pasadena, Texas for the purpose of evaluating worker exposure to four ethylene glycol ethers: 2-methoxyethanol (2-ME), 2-methyoxyethanol-acetate (2-MEA), 2-ethoxyethanol (2-EE), and 2-ethyocyethanol-acetate (2-EEA). The potential for inhalation and dermal exposures to the ethers existed at this site where the following activities were being conducted: loading of trucks or rail cars, decontamination of process equipment, and collection of quality control samples. Full-shift exposures to 2-ME and 2-EE were very low. Measurable short-term inhalation exposures during the collection of quality-control samples ranged up to 1.22 parts per million (ppm) for 2-EEA and 2.45 ppm for 2-ME. Near pumping equipment the airborne emissions reached 0.05 ppm for 2-EEA and 0.44 ppm for 2-ME. The authors recommend the installation of local exhaust ventilation at the quality control sampling location to reduce exposure levels. Also recommended is that impermeable coveralls be provided to workers involved in handling glycol ether liquids and that improved emission controls be instituted in the pumping equipment, specifically multiple seals.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
OSTI ID:
6150561
Report Number(s):
PB-89-164685/XAB; IWS-134.20.11
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English