Industrial Hygiene Study of the Gouverneur Talc Company, Number One Mine and Mill, Balmat, New York, November 3-7, 1975. Volume 1

摘要

Bulk samples of talc were collected and personal air sampling was conducted in the mine and the mill. X-ray diffraction and optical or electron microscope analysis was conducted by NIOSH and two independent laboratories. All laboratories confirmed the presence of asbestiform tremolite and anthophyllite in the bulk talc samples at concentrations of 67 to 88 and 4 to 12 percent, respectively. Time weighted average (TWA) values for fiber and dust personal exposures for almost 30 job categories ranged from 1.7 to 9.8 fibers greater than 5 microns per cubic centimeter, and 0.25 to 2.96 milligrams per cubic meter, respectively. Free silica exposures were very low. Analysis of the impinger samples revealed excessive exposure to asbestos at almost every mine and mill operation. The authors conclude that excessive exposures to airborne fibers exist in both mine and mill. Recommendations include improved ventilation, upgraded equipment maintenance, and provision of respiratory protection to employees.