Disturbing OSHA Information re: Dioxin & Our C-123K/UC-123K Exposure

Read through to the bottom. It is clear that the airplanes we flew would have been, if first inspected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, determined to be unsafe work environments. We didn't know about the contamination at the time, but various Air Force reports dating back to the experimental use of the C-123 for spraying, done at Eglin AFB in 1961, proved that Agent Orange spray aircraft would remain contaminated with dioxin. 


Any of those groundpounders in authority bother to read the reports sent to them as carefully as we're supposed to read our NOTAMS?
Somebody should have known. 
Somebody should have cared. 
Somebody should have acted!
----------------------------from OSHA Data------------------------

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH GUIDELINE FOR 2,4,5-T.

INTRODUCTION

This guideline is intended as a source of information for employees, employers, physicians, industrial hygienists and other occupational health professionals who may have a need for such information. It does not attempt to present all data, rather it presents information and data in summary form.

Permissible Exposure Limit:
The current OSHA standard for 2,4,5-T is 10 milligrams of 2,4,5-T per cubic meter of air (mg/,m3) average over an eight hour work shift.

Health Hazard Information:

Routes Of Exposure
2,4,5-T can affect the body if it is inhaled or if it comes into contact with the eyes or skin. It can also affect the body if it is swallowed.

Effects Of Overexposure
Exposure to 2,4,5-T may cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and blood in the stool. It may also cause acne and liver damage. Animal experiments have shown these contaminants may produce damage in unborn rats.
Reporting Signs and Symptoms
A physician should be contacted if anyone develops any signs or symptoms and suspect that they are caused by exposure to 2,4,5-T.

Summary of Toxicology
2,4,5-T (2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid) is of low toxicity. The oral LD50 for dogs is in the range of 100/mg/kg or higher; effects are limited to a slight to moderate stiffness in the hind legs with the development of ataxia. Contaminants of commercial preparations of 2,4,5-T have been 2,3,6,7-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a potent acnegenic agent which is hepatotoxic in animals; they are presented as unwanted side products of synthesis of 2,4,5-T. In a study of 73 workers in a 2,4,5-T manufacturing plant, 13 had moderate to severe acne from dermatitis (chloracne) and 22 had gastrointestinal complaints, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, liver dysfunction was found; although no air samples results were reported, the chloracne was thought to be a result of exposure to TCDD. 2,4,5-T dust is a slight irritant of the skin.

Chemical and Physical Properties
Physical Data
1. Molecular weight: 255.5
2. Boiling point (760 mm Hg); Decomposes above melting point
3. Specific gravity (water=1): Greater
4. Vapor Density (air+1 at boiling point of 2,4,5-T): Not applicable
5. Melting point: 158 Celsius (316 Fahrenheit) decomposition
There is also a similar report on 2,4-D.

SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION 
Formula: Cl2C6H3OCH2COOH
Synonyms: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
Appearance and odor: Colorless and odorless solid

PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMIT :The 1978 OSHA standard was set at 10mg per cubic meter of air averaged over an eight hour work shift.

HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
ROUTES OF EXPOSURE
2,4-D can affect the body if it is inhaled, contacts the skin or eyes or swallowed. It may enter through the skin.

EFFECTS OF (OVER) EXPOSURE
1. Short term may cause weakness, stupor, muscle twitching and convulsions. It may
cause a rash and may cause liver damage.
2. Long term is not known; the issue is clouded by politics.
3. Exposure requires a physician.

SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGY
2,4-D dust causes signs of both hypo- and hyperexcitation of the central nervous system in animals. Sudden death is possible in massive doses. I have no evidence in any death of a human by ventricular fibrillation. Persons or animals exposed to massive dosages would have convulsions of a violent nature.
Contact on the skin will cause dermatitis.

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL DATA
1. Molecular weight: 212
2. Boiling point (760 mm Hg): Decomposes
3. Specific gravity (water=1): 1.1(estimated)
4. Vapor density (air=1 at boiling point of 2,4-D): 7.63
5. Melting point 140C (248 F)
6. Vapor pressure at 20C (68 F): Essentially zero
7. Solubility in water, at 20C (68 F): 0.07ppm
8. Evaporation rate(butyl acetate=1): N/A

REACTIVITY: contact with strong oxidizers may cause fires and explosions.
A very important note: in 1978 OSHA report quoted stated "Parenteral administration to dogs has caused sneezing, lacrimation, and rubbing of the eyes, along with gastrointestinal disturbances." In 1991 it was learned that dogs exposed to 2,4-D used in normal weed control in backyard America became victims of cancer at unusually high rates.

Original post by: DaveBarker, Military.COM