Survey of the Beta-Naphthylamine Facilities of the Synalloy Corporation, Blackman Uhler Chemical Division, Spartanburg, South Carolina, Augusta Chemical Company, Augusta, Georgia

摘要

A survey was conducted to assess methods to control exposure to beta-naphthylamine (91598) (BNA) at two facilities owned by the Synalloy Corporation (SIC-2869) in January 1978. The facilities were the Augusta Chemical Company, Augusta, Georgia, and the Blackman Uhler Chemical Division, Spartanburg, South Carolina. BNA was produced at the former and used in the manufacture of azo dyes at the latter facility. Both facilities ralied primarily on work practices, worker hygiene, and the use of personal protective equipment to reduce exposures. The production operation at the Augusta installation was not a closed system. The main problem identified at both facilities was potential skin contact with the substance. The management of the Augusta facility was considering partially enclosing the production operation. Management had also considered manufacturing tobias-acid (81163) which would replace BNA as a dye intermediate, but this had been rejected because of cost. It was noted that if the threshold limit value for BNA was set at 0, the operation would have to be abandoned. The authors recommend that the production process be completely enclosed and the handling procedures of BNA be improved.