I need information from PTS guys:
How much leakage were in the RFHCO suits you wore?
How much time did you spend in the silo after propellant transfers without RFHCO suits?
Topside work without RFHCO suits?
ANSWERS FROM PTS :
I was a PTS Officer Mid-1986 to August 1987. I was involved with missile deactivation for the last 9 missiles in the 308th Strategic Missile Wing. I have found your website invaluable as I am currently trying to link my immune disorder to the fuel and oxidizer plus other chemicals I came in contact for the 6 years on crew and the last year as a PTS Officer
How much leakage were in the RFHCO suits you wore?
I was never informed that they leaked. I often wondered because I saw patches on most of the ones I wore and on the other suits worn by my team members.
How much time did you spend in the silo after propellant transfers without RFHCO suits?
After downloads, the normal time spent in the silo was 1 to 2 hours without RFHCO.
Topside work without RFHCO suits?
Every download of fuel or oxidizer was done without RFHCO being used topside. I personally encountered the smell of fuel or oxidizer during every download when I was topside. The wind would blow our incinerator out and chemicals spewed until we were able to get in back on. Visible oxidizer occurred routinely.
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This work is in progress. As I read the 2003, 2005, and 2012 ACGIH manual I will continue to add more information.
"ACGIH in the 2003 TLVs® and BEIs® refers to the Brief and Scala model (found in Patty’s) as a "tentative" guideline for industrial hygienist dealing with extended work shifts. The Brief and Scala model reduces exposure limits according to a reduction factor calculated by the formulas."
There are four steps to determining how much over exposed to the toxic fuels each of us were based on the DM AFB study of normal UDMH, NDMA, and Hydrazine concentrations in the silo and launch control center.
First, we must modify the 1995 UDMH 10 ppb TLV-TWA ACGIH allowed limits based on work schedule. The 10 ppb is based on a normal 8 hour work shift per day five days a week. There were very few jobs around the Titan II missiles that had that typical civilian work schedule (Bankers hours). The 10 ppb TWA on Hydrazine and UDMH must be reduced according to ACGIH guidelines.
Second, we must account for the other toxic chemical TLV-TWA's and adjust their limits.
Third, we must then account for all the other toxic breakdown chemical TLV-TWA's including the skin exposure which is worse than inhalation.
Fourth, we must figure out our actual exposure based on our travels throughout the Titan II missile Complex based on the DM Titan II complex toxic study of 1983. See botched DM study.
Unusual Work Schedules not over 16 hrs (applies to PTS?) I need some info from the PTS guys on how their work shifts operated.
Overtime – extra hours – extra days
Compressed work week
- four 10 hour days
- three 12 hour days
Flex time
Daily Adjustment Formula
Adjusted TLV = TLV x ( 8 )/h x ( 24 - h )/16
Where h = # of hours worked per day
Weekly Adjustment Formula
Adjusted TLV = TLV x ( 40 )/h x ( 168 - h )/128
Where h = # of hours worked per week
Apply the formula that
recommends the greater
reduction
Brief and Scala Example:
Solvent has a TLV of 100 ppm
Worker works four 10 hour days.
What adjustment (if any) would you recommend?
Daily Adjustment Formula
Adjusted TLV = TLV x ( 8 )/10 x ( 24 - 10 )/16 = 70 ppm
Weekly Adjustment Formula
Adjusted TLV = TLV x ( 40 )/40 x ( 168 - 40 )/128 = 100 ppm (no adjustment)
• Daily formula gives 70 ppm
• Weekly formula gives 100 ppm
• Take lower of the two
• Adjusted TLV = 70 ppm
• Gives same protection as 100ppm for five 8 hour days
• Easy to use
• Only need to know hours worked
• Very conservative
• Gives more restrictive recommendations than other models