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Is My Chemistry Building Safe? AIHCE 2000 - Orlando, FL

Is My Chemistry Building Safe? AIHCE 2000 - Orlando, FL. Michael B. Amster P.E., CIH, CSP, CHMM M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA Michael Sauda CSP University of Maine System, Bangor, ME. Background.

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Is My Chemistry Building Safe? AIHCE 2000 - Orlando, FL

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  1. Is My Chemistry Building Safe?AIHCE 2000 - Orlando, FL Michael B. Amster P.E., CIH, CSP, CHMM M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA Michael Sauda CSP University of Maine System, Bangor, ME

  2. Background • The Chemistry Department is located in an old academic/research Chemistry Building on a campus in the University of Maine System. • Ventilation system sequentially upgraded • Generally not consistent with currently accepted design criteria M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  3. Issue of Concern • To address the Faculty, Staff and Student Committee concerns about the death of two long-time members of the Chemistry Department from identical brain cancers within a period of approximately two years. M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  4. Study Objective • To determine if any chemical(s) are present in the Chemistry Building, previously unnoticed or unidentified, that may be putting the occupants at unnecessary risk. • Conduct air and surface sampling • Provide comment on observations of building activities M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  5. Chemicals/Classes of Concern Committee research: • Volatile Organics, especially chlorinated hydrocarbons: Airborne • Semi-Volatile Organics, especially pesticides: Airborne and Surface • Metals: Surface • Mercury: Airborne M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  6. Sampling Locations • Committee chose sampling locations to include: • Teaching/Research/Support/ Preparation/Instrument/Labs • Classrooms, Auditorium, Faculty Offices, Stock Room M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  7. Sampling Locations • $1,200/point (VOC/Semi-VOC/Metal) • Screening, w/follow-up as necessary Additional Issue: • Physical Chemistry labs for metallic mercury M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  8. Sampling Methods • Airborne: • Quartz lined canisters: VOCs: EPA T0-14, (GC/MS) (M-39+15TICs) • Polyurethane Foam Filter: Semi-VOC: EPA 8270, (GC/MS) (M-98+ 15TICs) • Surface: Wipes • Semi-VOC: EPA 8270, (GC/MS) • Metals: NIOSH 7300, (ICP) (M-20) • Direct Reading: Jerome Meter • Mercury M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  9. Survey Schedule • January: During Break • Building background • Airborne and surface • February: Mid-Semester • Added student/research lab. activity • Airborne only M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  10. Applicable Standards • Airborne • PELs • TLVs • Surface/Wipe Samples • No compliance standards M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  11. ApplicableStandards • ASHRAE 62-1989 - Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality • 1/10 TLV • Guideline for non-industrial exposure • Usual level of detection for IH sampling M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  12. Classroom Method 1,4 Dichlorobenzene (2 ppb) TICs Butane (1 ppb) Acetone (3 ppb) IPA (4 ppb) Faculty Office Method N/D TICs 2,2,4 Trimethylpentane (1 ppb) Isobutane (2 ppb) Butane (2 ppb) Acetone (2 ppb) VOCs (Jan.) M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  13. Support Laboratory Method m,p-Xylene (4 ppb) TICs Propene (4 ppb) Faculty Office Method 1,1,1Trichloroethane (1 ppb) m,p-Xylene (.5 ppb) TICs Propene (10 ppb) VOCs (Feb.) M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  14. Background Office Method Freon 11 (.1 ppb) 1,4 Dichlorobenzene (2 ppb) TICs Isopropanol (70 ppb) VOCs (Feb.) M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  15. Semi-VOCsAirborne (Jan.) • N/D, Method or TICs, per protocol • Detection Limit: Low ppb/High ppt M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  16. Stock Room Method 2-Ethylhexyl Adipate (3 ppb) TICs N/D Semi-VOCsAirborne (Feb.) M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  17. Semi-VOCsSurface • N/D, Method or TICs, per protocol • Detection Limit: Low microgram per square foot M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  18. Metal - Surface Lab, Class Room, and Office Walls ug/ft2 DL (ug) Aluminum (4/5) 14-31 <10 Barium (1/5) 3.4 <1.0 Calcium (5/5) 11-140 <.25 Copper (1/5) 3.0 <1.0 Iron (5/5) 9.7-57 <2.0 M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  19. Metal - Surface Lab, Class Room, and Office Walls ug/ft2 DL (ug) Magnesium (5/5) 3.7-17 <2.0 Manganese (1/5) 1.0 <1.0 Sodium (2/5) 11-17 <10 Lead (1/5) 12 <3.0 Zinc (4/5) 1.2-22 <1.0 M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  20. Mercury - Airborne • Various Research/Teaching Labs, Classrooms, Faculty Offices • .000-.004ppm • Physical Chemistry Lecture Hall • Vacuum rack platform: .000-.006ppm • Visible mercury present M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  21. Mercury - Airborne • Target Faculty Office/Research Lab. • After an already major clean-up • General: .006-.031ppm • Over floor drain: up to .042ppm • PEL 0.1ppm(C) and TLV .025ppm M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  22. Additional Observations • Working Alone: opaque glass, locked doors, accessible communications, need for graded “work permits” • Chemical Movement: dry ice/gas cylinders carried in occupied elevator • General Lab Safety: PPE, proper use of available engineering controls • Redefined: “Academic Freedom” M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  23. Conclusions • Levels of VOC & Semi-VOC well w/in occupational health limits • Nothing insidious, based on analysis • Does not preclude the necessity of upgrading the lab facilities, ventilation design and function • Metals present on surfaces • Housekeeping and personal hygiene M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

  24. Conclusions • Significant levels of mercury remain in the Target Office/Lab. • Remediate before return to beneficial occupancy • Mercury spill precautions in Physical Chemistry Lecture Hall • Spill prevention/control program • Mercury containing equipment replacement M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

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