is my chemistry building safe? aihce 2000 - orlando, fl f michael b. amster p.e., cih, csp, chmm...

Is My Chemistry Building Is My Chemistry Building Safe?Safe?

AIHCE 2000 - Orlando, FLAIHCE 2000 - Orlando, FLMichael B. Amster P.E., CIH, CSP, Michael B. Amster P.E., CIH, CSP, CHMMCHMM

M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MAMAMichael Sauda CSPMichael Sauda CSP

University of Maine System, Bangor, University of Maine System, Bangor, MEME

M.B. Amster & Associates, Concord, MA

2

BackgroundBackground

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


3

Issue of ConcernIssue 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.


4

Study ObjectiveStudy 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


5

Chemicals/Chemicals/Classes of ConcernClasses of Concern

Committee research: Volatile Organics, especially

chlorinated hydrocarbons: Airborne

Semi-Volatile Organics, especially pesticides: Airborne and Surface

Metals: Surface Mercury: Airborne


6

Sampling LocationsSampling Locations

Committee chose sampling locations to include: – Teaching/Research/Support/

Preparation/Instrument/Labs– Classrooms, Auditorium, Faculty

Offices, Stock Room


7

Sampling LocationsSampling Locations

$1,200/point (VOC/Semi-VOC/Metal)

Screening, w/follow-up as necessary

Additional Issue: Physical Chemistry labs for

metallic mercury


8

Sampling MethodsSampling 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


9

Survey ScheduleSurvey Schedule January: During Break

– Building background– Airborne and surface

February: Mid-Semester– Added student/research lab. activity– Airborne only


10

Applicable Applicable StandardsStandards

Airborne– PELs– TLVs

Surface/Wipe Samples – No compliance standards


11

ApplicableApplicableStandardsStandards

ASHRAE 62-1989 - Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality– 1/10 TLV – Guideline for non-industrial

exposure– Usual level of detection for IH

sampling


12

VOCs (Jan.)VOCs (Jan.)Classroom

Method – 1,4

Dichlorobenzene

(2 ppb) TICs– Butane (1 ppb) – Acetone (3 ppb) – IPA (4 ppb)

Faculty OfficeMethod – N/D

TICs– 2,2,4 Trimethylpentane

(1 ppb)– Isobutane (2 ppb)– Butane (2 ppb)– Acetone (2 ppb)


13

VOCs (Feb.)VOCs (Feb.)

Support Laboratory

Method– m,p-Xylene (4

ppb) TICs– Propene (4 ppb)

Faculty OfficeMethod– 1,1,1Trichloroethan

e (1 ppb)

– m,p-Xylene (.5 ppb) TICs– Propene (10 ppb)


14

VOCs (Feb.)VOCs (Feb.)

Background Office Method– Freon 11 (.1 ppb)– 1,4 Dichlorobenzene (2

ppb)

TICs– Isopropanol (70 ppb)


15

Semi-VOCsSemi-VOCsAirborne (Jan.)Airborne (Jan.)

N/D, Method or TICs, per protocol

Detection Limit: Low ppb/High ppt


16

Semi-VOCsSemi-VOCsAirborne (Feb.)Airborne (Feb.)

Stock RoomMethod– 2-Ethylhexyl Adipate (3

ppb)TICs– N/D


17

Semi-VOCsSemi-VOCsSurfaceSurface

N/D, Method or TICs, per protocol

Detection Limit: Low microgram per square foot


18

Metal - SurfaceMetal - SurfaceLab, 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


19

Metal - SurfaceMetal - SurfaceLab, Class Room, and Office

Walls ug/ft2 DL (ug)

Magnesium (5/5) 3.7-17 <2.0 Manganese (1/5) 1.0 <1.0Sodium (2/5) 11-17 <10Lead (1/5) 12 <3.0

Zinc (4/5) 1.2-22 <1.0


20

Mercury - AirborneMercury - Airborne

Various Research/Teaching Labs, Classrooms, Faculty Offices – .000-.004ppm

Physical Chemistry Lecture Hall – Vacuum rack

platform: .000-.006ppm– Visible mercury present


21

Mercury - AirborneMercury - 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


22

Additional Additional ObservationsObservations

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”


23

ConclusionsConclusions

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


24

ConclusionsConclusions 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

is my chemistry building safe? aihce 2000 - orlando, fl f michael b. amster p.e., cih, csp, chmm...

Documents

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