Monitoring of the Personal Breathing Zone of Response workers for chemicals and oil mists from April 2010 to January 2012

In support of DWH Response activities, industrial hygiene data were collected to monitor worker health. The industrial hygiene data included in this publication includes the results of personal breathing zone samples collected by BP and its contractors to assess an individual’s potential exposure to airborne chemicals during the response. BP worked closely with the Unified Area Command (UAC) to identify, evaluate, and prevent or reduce worker exposure to oil and response chemicals using administrative and/or engineering controls, as well as other methods. For certain response activities, appropriate types of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as Tyvek® suits and/or respirators, were worn to prevent exposure. In addition to implementing exposure controls, BP also implemented an extensive air monitoring program to evaluate worker exposure to oil and chemicals. The associated data files for this posting include samples collected from workers while conducting different types of response activities, including: • Offshore Vessels – Samples were collected on response workers and vessel crew that were involved with source removal activities such as containment and recovery, dispersant application, or in-situ burning of oil. • Nearshore Vessels – Samples were collected on response workers and vessel crew that were involved with activities such as boom handling, oil skimming, or scientific research. • Beach – Samples were collected on workers performing shoreline cleanup operations. • Decontamination – Samples were collected on workers involved with decontamination of equipment and vessels. Sampling of offshore response workers continued through September 2010, until the MC252 well was permanently plugged and sealed (i.e., September 19, 2010). Sampling of response workers in decontamination areas, nearshore and beach environments continued through February 2012. The personal breathing zone samples were collected for the purpose of evaluating worker exposure for the industrial hygiene program. The personal breathing zone samples were analyzed for the following parameters: • Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX). Approximately 33,000 personal breathing zone samples and field blanks were analyzed for BTEX and the results were compared to occupational exposure limits. • Total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or total hydrocarbons (THCs). Approximately 32,700 personal breathing zone samples and field blanks were analyzed for total VOCs or THCs. • Cyclohexane, n-heptane, n-hexane, tetrahydrofuran, and trimethylbenzenes. Results are available for approximately 4,200 personal breathing zone samples and field blanks. • 2-Butoxyethanol. The data file contains 2- butoxyethanol results for 1,168 personal breathing zone samples and field blanks. • Gravimetric oil mist. Sampling for oil mist was generally conducted on workers involved with power washing of boom or vessels at onshore decontamination sites. Two types of oil mist samples were collected during decontamination activities; some samples were collected for analysis of oil mist as total particulates and some samples were collected for analysis of oil mist as thoracic particulates. A separate data file contains gravimetric oil mist results for 546 samples. • Limonene. The data file contains limonene results for 279 samples and field blanks. • Acetone and 2-butanone (also known as methyl ethyl ketone). These are VOC constituents of vinyl cements used for boom repair. The data file contains acetone results for 9 samples and 2-butanone results for 5 samples. • Propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is a constituent of two dispersants (Corexit 9500 and Corexit 9527) used during the response. The data file contains propylene glycol results for 14 samples and field blanks. • Over 32,000 personal breathing zone samples and field blanks were collected using passive dosimeters or OVMs. Approximately 546 samples were collected for gravimetric oil mist analysis by drawing air through a 2-micron Teflon® filter cartridge with a personal sampling pump. Approximately 50 samples were collected by drawing air through charcoal sorbent tubes with personal sampling pumps and then analyzed for BTEX, total hydrocarbons, and 2-butoxyethanol. Approximately 14 samples were collected for propylene glycol analysis using an OVS-7 tube.