Dear Occupational Hygienists:

Please find 'cross-posted' query from HS-Canada List on short term exposures to nickel and its elements.
Brother Murray Pappin can be reached directly at <MPappin@...>.

Thank you in advance,

Andrew Cutz
_________________________________________
Andrew Cutz, CIH
HS-Canada List Technical Moderator
http://www.ccohs.ca/hscanada/hscanada.html
 
 

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION ...
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Subject:   Short term exposures
Date:  Tue, 15 Apr 2003 11:32:49 -0400
From:   Murray Pappin  <MPappin@...>

Short term exposures in excess of the occupational exposure limit (OEL).

Mandatory respiratory protection areas have been designated throughout the operations and it was decided, against my judgment,
that personnel who are "walking through" such areas do not require PPE, only those working in the area.

Many studies have shown that exposure to Nickel and its elements (soluble, insoluble and sub-sulphide) are a great health
concern.

According to our in house definition I would be able to spend my complete shift walking in and out of these areas without having
to wear and PPE and concluding from that, there would not be any negative health effects. Realistically, I would spent between
one to three hours a day in these areas. I've included sample results below from one area

Manitoba regulation 53/88 and 228/94 directs us to follow the ACGIH exposure limits, and they do not publish a STEL for these
contaminates.

To ensure the workers health is protected I still believe that all should wear respiratory protection in these designated areas,
whether walking through or not. Some areas may exceed the OEL by as much as 20 times, while others exceed half the OEL.

Could someone please give me some direction on this issue. Also, if anyone has any information regarding nickel and body loading
that would be greatly appreciated.

Contamination Description                                       Unit of Measure                                 TLV TWA Results
        INHALABLE DUST (7 HOLE)                         MG/M3                                           10      0.986
        INHALABLE SOLUBLE NICKEL (7 HOLE)               MG/M3                                           0.1     0.067
        INHALABLE SUBSULPHIDE NICKEL (7         MG/M3                                           0.1     0.301
        INHALABLE METALLIC NICKEL (7 HOLE)               MG/M3                                           1.5     0.009
        INHALABLE INSOLUBLE NICKEL (7 HOLE)     MG/M3                                                   0.2     0.007

     Murray Pappin
     Worker Safety Representative, USWA 6166
     Warehousing, Sampling and Occupational Exposure Monitoring,
     Alt. Divisional Chair,
     Inco Canadian & UK Operations
     Thompson, Manitoba, CANADA
     Phone: (204) 778-2563
                     (204) 679-1396

       e-mail:    mpappin@...
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SOURCE:  HS-Canada Digest #2157 - Wednesday, April 16, 2003