Health Hazard Evaluation Determination Report No. HE 78-90-739, FMC Corporation, Specialty Chemicals Division, Nitro, West Virginia

摘要

Environmental samples for phosphorus trichloride (7719122) (PC13) and phosphorus oxychloride (10025873) (POC13) were analyzed, and pulmonary function tests and medical questionnaires were administered to 37 exposed and 22 unexposed employees at the FMC facility (SIC-2819) in Nitro, West Virginia on May 23 to 25, 1979. An authorized representative of the employees Local 12757 of the United Steel Workers of America requested an evaluation for approximately 59 employees. PC13 and POC13 samples were analyzed colorimetrically, and 1 second forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity were measured. Most air sample results for PC13 and POC13 were below the detection limits. A tank yard operator was exposed to approximately 6 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/cu m) of PC13 during a 1 hour truck loading operation, however on an 8 hour time weighted average basis, the exposure did not exceed the recommended standard of 3mg/cu m. A maintenance employee was exposed to approximately 4mg/cu m of POC13 for 25 minutes during a routine procedure. Currently there is no evaluation criterion for POC13. Pulmonary function tests of the exposed workers were normal. The authors conclude that there are intermittent exposures to both PC13 and POC13 which may cause acute respiratory symptoms and they recommend air purifying, respiratory protection and the use of acid gas type gas masks.