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HHE Search Results
474 HHE reports were found based on your search terms. Reports are listed in order of year published with the most recently published reports listed first.
Year Published and Title
(1998) Bananas! Gifts, Incorporated, Clarkdale, Arizona. (Click to open report) On April 4, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at the Bananas! Gifts, Inc. facility in Clarkdale, Arizona. The confident request expressed concern over possible exposure to lacquer solvents, abrasive-blasting materials, and a patina solution (brown or green layer on copper as a result of oxidation). Concern was also expressed over "homemade" heavy machinery, ventilation, and protective clothing. The empl... (Click to show more)On April 4, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at the Bananas! Gifts, Inc. facility in Clarkdale, Arizona. The confident request expressed concern over possible exposure to lacquer solvents, abrasive-blasting materials, and a patina solution (brown or green layer on copper as a result of oxidation). Concern was also expressed over "homemade" heavy machinery, ventilation, and protective clothing. The employees reported symptoms of rashes, nose sores, and hyperventilation. On November 5 and 6, 1997, NIOSH conducted a site visit at the Bananas! Gifts, Inc. facility. Area and short-term personal breathing zone (PBZ) air samples were collected on November 6, 1997. NIOSH investigators collected 6 PBZ and 6 area air samples for metals, 4 PBZ and 3 area air samples for 2-butoxyethanol, 2 PBZ and 2 area air samples for inorganic acids, 3 area air samples for respirable dust, and 2 area air samples for methylene chloride. During the sampling period, employees switched from operation to operation with a working duration ranging from a few minutes to 2-3 hours. The length of time at a specific operation with a working duration ranging from a few minutes to 2-3 hours. The length of time at a specific operation depends mainly upon the customer orders received for a particular item. Therefore, full-shift PBZ air samples were not collected.
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(1998) General Electric - Bridgeville Glass Plant, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) On August 15, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from the International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers. This request centered on a union concern that employees at General Electric - Bridgeville Glass Plant (GEBGP), Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, were exposed to hazardous concentrations of mercury (Hg) during glass tubing manufacturing and maintenance activities.
On August 15, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from the International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers. This request centered on a union concern that employees at General Electric - Bridgeville Glass Plant (GEBGP), Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, were exposed to hazardous concentrations of mercury (Hg) during glass tubing manufacturing and maintenance activities.
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(1998) Stericycle, Inc., Morton, Washington. (Click to open report) At the request of Washington State's Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) and Department of Health (DOH), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) evaluated the potential for occupational exposures to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and bloodborne pathogens from the processing of medical waste. Events leading to the request for technical assistance included an outbreak of suspected occupationally-related tuberculosis (TB) among employees at Stericycle, Inc. in Morto... (Click to show more)At the request of Washington State's Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) and Department of Health (DOH), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) evaluated the potential for occupational exposures to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and bloodborne pathogens from the processing of medical waste. Events leading to the request for technical assistance included an outbreak of suspected occupationally-related tuberculosis (TB) among employees at Stericycle, Inc. in Morton, Washington. An initial site visit was conducted November 18-20, 1997, and a subsequent evaluation of the facility was performed January 26-29, 1998. The information contained in this report reflects conditions at the facility at the time of these evaluations. An interim report, including initial recommendations, was distributed on March 13, 1998.
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(1998) U.S. Department of the Interior, Yosemite National Park, California. (Click to open report) The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) responded to a health hazard evaluation (HHE) request from the U.S. Department of the Interior. The request pertained to cases of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper and lower extremities and back among workers who build and maintain the back country trails of Yosemite National Park. NIOSH investigators reviewed available accident and injury records for the years 1995-97, interviewed workers, and evaluated the trail constructio... (Click to show more)The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) responded to a health hazard evaluation (HHE) request from the U.S. Department of the Interior. The request pertained to cases of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper and lower extremities and back among workers who build and maintain the back country trails of Yosemite National Park. NIOSH investigators reviewed available accident and injury records for the years 1995-97, interviewed workers, and evaluated the trail construction projects for ergonomic risk factors. The ergonomics evaluation included analyzing videotape and still photo records of workers performing their jobs, and applied forces required to maneuver rocks with a lever bar. NIOSH investigators concluded that the job tasks associated with building and maintaining hiking trails at Yosemite National Park include many ergonomic stress factors that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders of the back and upper and lower extremities.
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(1998) U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, San Ysidro, California. (Click to open report) On August 15, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for health hazard evaluation at the San Ysidro Port of Entry (POE) from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The request asked NIOSH to assess employee exposures to vehicle exhaust and noise. Reported health effects among INS inspectors included headaches, dizziness, breathing problems, and difficulty hearing. A site visit was conducted September 17-19, 1997, by NIOSH scient... (Click to show more)On August 15, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for health hazard evaluation at the San Ysidro Port of Entry (POE) from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The request asked NIOSH to assess employee exposures to vehicle exhaust and noise. Reported health effects among INS inspectors included headaches, dizziness, breathing problems, and difficulty hearing. A site visit was conducted September 17-19, 1997, by NIOSH scientists including two industrial hygienists and a psychoacoustician. Personal air samples were collected for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons, lead particulate, and noise exposures were measured. Area air samples were collected for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, noise, carbon dioxide, temperature, humidity, and qualitative volatile organic compounds. A limited ventilation survey was also conducted as part of the initial site visit.
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(1997) Clinch River Power Plant, Cleveland, Virginia. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, an investigation was begun into possible exposures during rebuilding of coal fired boilers at the Clinch River Power Plant (SIC-4911), Cleveland, Virginia. During the sampling period, boilermakers removed secondary inlet and secondary outlet boiler elements and removed and replaced portions of the steel boiler casting, exposing them to fly ash and fumes from air arc gouging, welding, and torch cutting. ... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, an investigation was begun into possible exposures during rebuilding of coal fired boilers at the Clinch River Power Plant (SIC-4911), Cleveland, Virginia. During the sampling period, boilermakers removed secondary inlet and secondary outlet boiler elements and removed and replaced portions of the steel boiler casting, exposing them to fly ash and fumes from air arc gouging, welding, and torch cutting. Laborers maintained the walkways and prepared work areas using sweeping and vacuuming techniques, primarily exposing them to fly ash. The highest personal breathing zone (PBZ) air sample concentrations of arsenic (7440382), beryllium (7440406), cadmium (7440439), nickel (7440020), lead (7439921), and respirable dust occurred when boilermakers performed job tasks inside the boiler and outside the boiler on the steel boiler casing. Air arc gouging, welding, oxyacetylene torch cutting, or grinding on or near the scale greatly increased the potential for the generation of airborne particles. Cristobalite (14464461) was found in one PBZ sample at 0.03mg/m3. The author concludes that there appears to be a potential for a health hazard at job sites where similar activities take place. The author recommends lowering worker exposures through the use of engineering controls and improvements in housekeeping procedures.
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(1997) New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council, Concord, New Hampshire. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Building Services Supervisor at the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training facility (SIC-9221), Concord, New Hampshire, an investigation was begun into possible health hazards from lead (7439921) dust generated during firearms training. Personal breathing zone samples, area air samples, and wipe samples were collected. The highest airborne lead concentrations were collected during maintenance activities; 22 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) during sweeping... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Building Services Supervisor at the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training facility (SIC-9221), Concord, New Hampshire, an investigation was begun into possible health hazards from lead (7439921) dust generated during firearms training. Personal breathing zone samples, area air samples, and wipe samples were collected. The highest airborne lead concentrations were collected during maintenance activities; 22 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) during sweeping and 140microg/m3 during cleaning of target retrieval rails. All air samples collected during firearms training had detectable levels of lead with six ranging from 0.7 to 9.5microg/m3. Wipe sampling indicated lead concentrations ranging from 2.5 micrograms per 100 square centimeters (cm2) on a kitchenette countertop to 1,100 micrograms/100cm2 in a gun cleaning tray in a classroom. Analysis of the bulk sample indicated 45,000 micrograms lead/gram sample in floor sweepings. The author concludes that airborne lead was not causing a health hazard for these individuals but that some exposure could result from surface contamination. Lead ingestion can be avoided through good hygiene practices. Respiratory protection equipment should be provided during maintenance operations.
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(1997) People Working Cooperatively, Cincinnati, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the management of People Working Cooperatively (SIC-1521) (PWC), a nonprofit organization based in Cincinnati, Ohio, an evaluation was undertaken of possible hazardous lead (7439921) exposures occurring during renovation of homes with lead based paint (LBP). Potentially hazardous lead exposures were measured during exterior dry scraping and wet scraping of LBP1 with maximum exposures of 120 and 63 micrograms/cubic meter, respectively. Sixty eight of the full time em... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the management of People Working Cooperatively (SIC-1521) (PWC), a nonprofit organization based in Cincinnati, Ohio, an evaluation was undertaken of possible hazardous lead (7439921) exposures occurring during renovation of homes with lead based paint (LBP). Potentially hazardous lead exposures were measured during exterior dry scraping and wet scraping of LBP1 with maximum exposures of 120 and 63 micrograms/cubic meter, respectively. Sixty eight of the full time employees participated in a medical evaluation. Ten persons, all field personnel, had a blood lead level of 10 micrograms/deciliter (microg/dl) or greater. Four had levels of 15microg/dl or greater, with the highest being 17.5microg/dl. All of the 126 paint chip samples collected from 49 painted work surfaces in 15 homes had detectable lead, ranging from 0.0022 to 58%. Twelve surface dust samples collected on floors in six homes during renovation on average had lead loadings hazardous to children. The authors conclude that there were potentially hazardous exposures during wet and dry scraping; these tasks were infrequently performed. The average surface levels in homes undergoing renovation were potentially hazardous to young children. Surface levels in the workers' personal vehicles were also potentially hazardous.
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(1997) Woodward Governor Company, Fort Collins, Colorado. (Click to open report) On January 13, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request from the safety director of the Woodward Governor Co., Fort Collins, Colorado, plant to conduct a health hazard evaluation (HHE). The request asked for assistance in documenting worker exposure to a wide variety of contaminants in production jobs including printed circuit board manufacturing, electrical product assembly, silk screening, spray painting, shipping, and mechanical production. Th... (Click to show more)On January 13, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request from the safety director of the Woodward Governor Co., Fort Collins, Colorado, plant to conduct a health hazard evaluation (HHE). The request asked for assistance in documenting worker exposure to a wide variety of contaminants in production jobs including printed circuit board manufacturing, electrical product assembly, silk screening, spray painting, shipping, and mechanical production. The exposures of concern included isocyanates, inorganic acids, ammonia, solvents, lead, cutting fluids, and noise. Woodward Governor has many plants around the world involved in the manufacture of engine control devices. The Fort Collins, Colorado, plant employs about 800 workers involved in a wide range of production jobs. An environmental survey was conducted on March 10-12, 1997, which included monitoring for noise, metal working fluids, solvents (toluene, xylene, propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME), and formaldehyde), lead, ammonia, inorganic acids (hydrochloric, nitric, sulfuric, and phosphoric acids), and isocyanates (toluene diisoyanate (TDI) and methylene diisocyanate (MDI) monomers and oligomers, and total reactive isocyanate groups (TRIGs)).
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(1996) Abrasive Blasters, Parma and Akron, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Ohio Department of Health, a study was begun of possible silicosis in workers involved in or around abrasive blasting operations. Workers were screened from Parma and Akron, Ohio who were involved in abrasive blasting operations in April of 1995. The participants were recruited from the membership of the International Brotherhood of Painters Union. All of the 170 participants had chest X-rays, and 96 (56%) participated in blood lead (7439921) screening as well. ... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Ohio Department of Health, a study was begun of possible silicosis in workers involved in or around abrasive blasting operations. Workers were screened from Parma and Akron, Ohio who were involved in abrasive blasting operations in April of 1995. The participants were recruited from the membership of the International Brotherhood of Painters Union. All of the 170 participants had chest X-rays, and 96 (56%) participated in blood lead (7439921) screening as well. Eight of the 170 participants had chest X-rays consistent with pneumoconiosis. All eight had worked as abrasive blasters. Only one of the eight had previously known that his chest X-ray was consistent with this diagnosis. The blood lead levels ranged from 2 to 30 micrograms/deciliter, with a median of 5 micrograms/deciliter. Results of questionnaires indicated deficiencies in knowledge of the proper use of respirators in that only one third of the workers were fit tested and 18% had facial hair that could interfere with respirator seal. There was also little understanding of the NIOSH recommendations to prevent silicosis. The authors conclude that there is a need for better training and education in silicosis prevention and the use of respiratory protection in abrasive blasting operations.
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