Posted on Feb 24, 2020
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McConnell AFB
Chemicals
Airmen
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 3
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Thank you, my friend TSgt Joe C. for making us aware that McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas that Hexavalent chromium anti-corrosion agent has found in dangerous levels inside an aircraft hangar including its breakroom at McConnell AFB.
"More than 50 personnel may have been exposed to the chemical, an October memo warned. A November test found that an airman had been exposed to levels almost six times higher than the permissible exposure limits set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration."
"Exposure to hexavalent chromium can cause respiratory diseases, kidney, liver or abdominal damage and various cancers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has warned.
"The risk of developing lung, nasal, and sinus cancer increases with the amount of hexavalent chromium inhaled and the length of time the worker is exposed," OSHA said.
While exhaust filters and protective gear should have limited contamination and risk of exposure to the area where painting took place, "we determined that Cr(VI) dust contamination is present on most surfaces in hangar 1124 North and presents a contact hazard to unprotected workers." The Cr(VI) mentioned in the memo refers to hexavalent chromium.
"Additionally we noted inadequate control of Cr(VI) dust due to the detection of Cr(VI) in the breakroom and on the floor near the shop supervisor's desk," an October 2019 memo reported."
FYI PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Capt Dwayne Conyers Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM Cynthia Croft Sgt Kelli Mays SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Col Carl Whicker Maj Kim Patterson Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D.
"More than 50 personnel may have been exposed to the chemical, an October memo warned. A November test found that an airman had been exposed to levels almost six times higher than the permissible exposure limits set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration."
"Exposure to hexavalent chromium can cause respiratory diseases, kidney, liver or abdominal damage and various cancers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has warned.
"The risk of developing lung, nasal, and sinus cancer increases with the amount of hexavalent chromium inhaled and the length of time the worker is exposed," OSHA said.
While exhaust filters and protective gear should have limited contamination and risk of exposure to the area where painting took place, "we determined that Cr(VI) dust contamination is present on most surfaces in hangar 1124 North and presents a contact hazard to unprotected workers." The Cr(VI) mentioned in the memo refers to hexavalent chromium.
"Additionally we noted inadequate control of Cr(VI) dust due to the detection of Cr(VI) in the breakroom and on the floor near the shop supervisor's desk," an October 2019 memo reported."
FYI PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Capt Dwayne Conyers Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM Cynthia Croft Sgt Kelli Mays SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Col Carl Whicker Maj Kim Patterson Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D.
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Obviously their HAZMAT containment protocols aren't getting the job done. They also need to assess whether their PPE is appropriate for that job.
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SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Jim Arnold (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG William Jones PO1 William "Chip" Nagel CMSgt (Join to see) SSgt Boyd Herrst Maj Kim Patterson CW5 Jack Cardwell MAJ (Join to see) SGT Tim Fridley SGT Quentin Moore LT Ed Skiba Sgt Deborah Cornatzer SSG Michael Noll PO2 Michael Martin SGT (Join to see) CWO3 Dave Alcantara SFC Richard Williamson
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