US EPA

628500 

Technical Report 

Industrial hygiene walk-through survey report of E.I. duPont deNemours and Company, Pontchartrain Works, LaPlace, Louisiana 

Fajen, JM; Ungers, LJ 

1986 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control 

Cincinnati, OH 

147.31 

A walk-through industrial hygiene survey was conducted at the Pontchartrain Works of E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company in LaPlace, Louisiana on August 26, 1985. The purpose of the survey was to obtain information on the neoprene polymer production process and assess the potential for occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene. This information will be used in determining the suitability of including this plant in an in-depth industrial hygiene survey.

The plant, which opened in 1964, began producing neoprene from 1,3-butadiene in 1968. Both chloroprene and neoprene are currently produced from 1,3-butadiene at the plant. In addition to use in the synthesis of neoprene, chloroprene is also shipped by rail cars to another duPont facility. The incoming 1,3-butadiene is received by pipeline. The company maintains personnel records on current and past employees.

No monitoring data was provided by the company. However, the company reported that they have conducted personal monitoring for 1,3-butadiene in those dichlorobutene and chloroprene areas where 1,3-butadiene exposure was thought likely. Of the 74 personal samples taken by duPont, 72 were less than 10 ppm.

The results of the NIOSH analysis of the bulk sample of neoprene for residual 1,3-butadiene were non-detectable. The limit of detection was 0.04 ng/mg by weight. A bulk sample of chloroprene was not obtained.

The facility is considered to be a potential candidate for an in-depth industrial hygiene survey for the determination of the extent of exposure to 1,3-butadiene. This consideration is based on an evaluation of the reported historical industrial hygiene data.