In-Depth Industrial Hygiene Report of Ethylene Oxide Exposure at Union Carbide Corporation, Institute, West Virginia

摘要

Worker exposures to ethylene-oxide (75218) were determined at the Union Carbide Corporation (SIC-283) in Institute, West Virginia, from May 22 to 26, 1978. About 1,900 workers were employed at this facility. The company had a formal safety and industrial hygiene program, and medical services were provided by two full-time physicians and nine nurses. Ethylene-oxide concentrations were below the analytical detection limit of 0.02 milligrams (mg) per sample for all but two samples. One of two samples collected for the unloader at the oxide rack contained 8 parts per million (ppm) ethylene-oxide, while one of three samples collected for the laboratory technicians contained 82ppm. Propylene-oxide (75569) concentrations were detectable in only one sample at a concentration of 1.5ppm. All samples for isopropyl-alcohol (67630) were below 3ppm. Background general air samples collected over a 16 hour period inside the laboratory and outside the industrial hygiene office contained no detectable contaminants. The author recommends additional environmental studies of the facility if a current NIOSH mortality study of the workers presents positive findings.