Industrial Hygiene Report: Preliminary Plant Visit of Formaldehyde Production Facilities at Tenneco Chemicals, Inc., Fords, New Jersey, October 1, 1981

摘要

A preliminary hygiene survey was conducted at Tenneco Chemicals, Inc., Fords, New Jersey to evaluate worker exposure to formaldehyde (50000) and the safety with which silver and metal oxide catalysts were used at the site. The facility had an active safety program. Workers wore safety glasses, hard hats, and safety shoes. A manual existed on respiratory protection, safety and emergency procedures. The medical program consisted of yearly physical exams for all employees including a pulmonary function test, hearing test, eye examination, chest x-ray, blood test and a medical history questionnaire. Area air samples taken indicated less than 1 part per million (ppm) formaldehyde as a time weighted average. Control methods at the methanol (67561) unloading and handling area, control areas, process areas, storage areas, and at the truck loading facility were described. Problem areas in the silver unit included the use of packed seals for the volatile formaldehyde solution, and the interior storage tank in the silver catalyst unit. It is recommended that a greater effort be made to control formaldehyde vapors in the silver unit by improving housekeeping and maintenance or replacing equipment.