p.1 

OAR Box 1384 

Prepped by Charmelle Mathews 

Document Number: 

177) ll-E-137 

Docket Number: 

A-94-52 

Printed 7/2/2008 8:42:09 AM Sheet 177 of 264 
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From: 

Date: 

Contact: 

Company: 

Contact Report 

Robert Jemison, Pacific Environmental Services, Inc. (PES) 

March 26,1998 

Mr. Jeffrey C. Benz 

Ershigs, Inc. 

M • • i i • m—n m 

TF-er-13'j 

telephone Number: (360)733-2620 

Fax Number: (360) 733-2628 

Contact Summary: 

Mr. JefSreyC. Benz was contacted on behalf of the U.S. EPA to update infonnation provided 

in the 1993 EPA Reinforced Plastic Composites Screening Survey submitted by Ershigs, Inc. for 

their facility located in Wilson, North Carolina. In response to my questions Mr. Benz indicated the 

following: 

The facility produces fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) products for various corrosion 

resistant applications. These products include tanks, pipes, and fittings. The facility's products are 

primarily used by the pulp & paper, chemical processing, metals, electronics, and petroleum 

industries. 

The faciUty uses hand lay-up (bucket & brush/non-pressureifed roller) to apply polyester 

resins in the fabrication of certain corrosion resistant products. The polyester resins applied by hand 

lay-up contain approximately 45.9% HAP by weight (on average). 

The facility uses spray lay-up to apply polyester resins in the fabrication of certain corrosion 

resistant products. The polyester resins applied by spray lay-up contain approximately 48.2% HAP 

by weight (on average). 

The facility uses the filament winding process to apply polyester and vinyl ester resins in the 

fabrication of certain corrosion resistant products. The vinyl ester and polyester resins applied using 

the filament winding process contain approximately 44.6% HAP by weight (on average). 

The facility uses spray lay-up to apply pigmented polyester gel coats. The facility primarily 

applies white and grey gel coats with a HAP content of 35% (on average). The only HAP present 

in the gel coals is styrene (none of the gel coats contain methyl methacrylate). 

The only HAP initially present in any of the polyester or vinyl ester resins used by the facility 

is styrene. In certain instances, small amounts of HAP (styrtme) rnay be added to the resins. These 

small amounts are reflected in the HAP content values given above. None of the vinyl ester or 

polyester resins used by the facility contain vapor suppressants. The information pertaining to the 

HAP content of the resins applied using each fabrication process is based on 1996 production data. 

The overwhelming majority (>95%) of the resin mixing at Hhis faciliry is conducted in 55 

gallon drums. Occasionally, very small amounts of resin are mixed with catalysts in small, open 

containers (bowls) prior to the resin being applied with hand lay-up. The facility does not use active 

(forced) ventilation during any of its mixing operations. 

INFORMATION IS ACCURATE UlMyU^ It*/^OWL^ 
FROM lERSHIGS TO l • 19199410234 1998.04-02 12123 H714P.03/3 I 

"** " v <_iVV6/VV<t 

Contact Report 

From: Robert Jemison, Pacific Environmental Services, Inc. (PES) 

..Date: March 26,1998 

Contact: Mr. Jeffrey C. Benz 

Company; Ershigs, Inc. 

Telephone Number. (360) 733-2620 

Fax Number: (360)733-2628 

Contact Summary: 

Mr. Jeffrey C. Benz was contacted on behalf of the U.S. EPA to update information provided 

in the 1993 EPA Reinforced Plastic Composites Screening Survey submitted by Ershigs, Inc. for 

their faciliry located in Bellingham, Washington. In response to my questions Mr. Benz indicated 

the Mowing: 

The facility produces fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) products for various corrosion 

resistant applications. These products include tanks, pipes, and fittings. The facility's products are 

primarily used by the pulp & paper, chemical processing, metals, electronics, and petroleum 

industries. 

The facility uses hand lay-up (bucket & brush/non-pressure-ifed roller) to" apply polyester 

resins in the fabrication of certain corrosion resistant products. The polyester resins applied by hand 

lay-up contain approximately 45.2% HAP by weight (on average). 

The facility uses spray lay-up to apply polyester resins in the fabrication of certain corrosion 

resistant products. The polyester resins applied by spray lay-up contain approximately 43.9% HAP 

by weight (on average). 

The facility uses the filament winding process to apply polyester and vinyl ester resins in the 

fabrication of certain corrosion resistant products. The vinyl ester and polyester resins applied using 

the filament winding process contain approximately 43.0% HAP by weight (on average). 

The facility uses spray lay-up to apply pigmented polyester gel coats. The facility primarily 

applies three white gel coats, one grey gel coat, and one beige gel coat The three white gel coats 

have HAP contents of 34.3%, 35.0%, and 362%. The grey and beige gel coats have HAP contents 

of 35.0% and 35.5%, respectively. The only HAP present in the gel coats is styrene (none of the gel 

coats contain methyl methacrylate). 

The only HAP initially present in any of the polyester or vinyl ester resins used by the faciliry 

is styrene. In certain instances, small amounts of HAP (stvrene) may be added to the resins. These 

small amounts are reflected in the HAP content values given above. None of the vinyl ester or 

polyester resins used by the facility contain vapor suppressants. The information pertaining to the 

HAP content of the resins applied using each fabrication process is based on 1996 production data. 

INFORMATION IS ACCURATE 
w _ . . p 4 

M 'ERSHIGS TO i' i91994T0234"T

"""" 1998.04-02 12i23 »»714P.04/04 

<_tVV*f uu t 

Contact Report • Ershigs, Inc. (Bellingham, WA Facility) 

Mr. Jeffrey C. Benz 

March 26,1998 

Page Two 

The overwhehning majority (>95%) of the resin mixing at this facility is conducted in 55 

gallon drums. Occasionally, very small amounts of resin are mixed with catalysts in small, open 

containers (bowls) prior lo the resin being applied with hand lay-up. Approximately 50% of the 55 

gallon drums are fully sealed with a cover that fits over the drum itself. In some cases air is vented 

through the cover into the 55 gallon drum to aid in the mixing process. In all cases where the resin 

is mixed in 55 gallon drums, the facility actively (force) vents the HAP emissions from the drum 

during mixing operations. The practice of forced venting is not necessary for the mixing operation 

to be successfully conducted but rather is done to reduce the ambient HAP concentrations present 

in the facility and thereby reduce worker exposure to HAP. 

INFORMATION IS ACCURATE 

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FROM IERSHIGS TO I 19199410234 199S.04-02 12122 8714 P.01/B4 

FAX COVER SHEET 

ERS HIGS 1 nC.

 74Z Marlne 0Hn>pa B°11707> BeHlnohim. WMhlngton 38227, Telephone (380) 733*820. Fax (360) 7334828 

TO 

Company 

Location 

Phone 

Fax 

/^37 

9J<J-<t4l-tt*l4 

Pages (Including this sheet) ^j 

FROM 

Company 

Location 

Phone 

Fax 

Jeff Benz 

ERSHIGS, INC. 

iBellingham, WA 

!(360) 733-2620 

(360) 733-2628 

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