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HHE Search Results
1062 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
(2007) Hurricane Katrina response. (Click to open report) On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck coastal areas in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi, causing numerous deaths, massive infrastructure damage, and flooding. The two hardest hit areas were along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi. The State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans invited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist with the rebuilding of the city's public health system. Between September 11, 2005, and October 29, 2005, investigator... (Click to show more)On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck coastal areas in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi, causing numerous deaths, massive infrastructure damage, and flooding. The two hardest hit areas were along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi. The State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans invited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist with the rebuilding of the city's public health system. Between September 11, 2005, and October 29, 2005, investigators from CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) were deployed to New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Their main objectives were to assist Federal, state, and local agencies in addressing occupational safety and health issues, to perform health and injury surveillance and exposure assessments among workers, to perform outreach to vulnerable workers, and to develop and disseminate occupational health information. Three teams of personnel responded to numerous requests for assistance in evaluating exposures to mold, chemicals, biological agents, floodwaters, dust and dried flood sediment, flood debris, and noise. Except for a limited number of noise exposure samples above the NIOSH recommended exposure limit and carbon monoxide levels above the NIOSH ceiling limit, environmental sampling for a variety of substances including asbestos, metals and dust did not reveal levels above recognized occupational exposure limits. A summary of the findings was shared with workers and employers. Safety hazards such as broken glass posed a risk to workers. Worksites in the flood-ravaged areas had varying degrees of capacity for hazard recognition, evaluation, and control. In general, the need for readily accessible, pertinent, understandable information regarding workplace hazards and exposures was apparent throughout the response, and distribution of information proved challenging.
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(2007) Report on severe fixed obstructive lung disease in workers at a flavoring manufacturing plant. (Click to open report) On June 11, 2006, CDHS-OHB and Cal/OSHA made a joint request for NIOSH technical assistance with industrial hygiene assessment and medical screening for occupational lung disease risk at the Carmi Flavor and Fragrance Company plant in Commerce, California. At the time of this request, Cal/OSHA was conducting a compliance investigation at this facility due to the identification in April 2006 of a former worker (and possibly a second worker) with bronchiolitis obliterans. NIOSH investigators were ... (Click to show more)On June 11, 2006, CDHS-OHB and Cal/OSHA made a joint request for NIOSH technical assistance with industrial hygiene assessment and medical screening for occupational lung disease risk at the Carmi Flavor and Fragrance Company plant in Commerce, California. At the time of this request, Cal/OSHA was conducting a compliance investigation at this facility due to the identification in April 2006 of a former worker (and possibly a second worker) with bronchiolitis obliterans. NIOSH investigators were aware of similarly affected workers at five other flavoring plants, and had previously investigated similar lung disease in microwave popcorn workers, identifying inhalation exposure to butter flavoring chemicals as the cause. In July 2006, NIOSH staff conducted a medical survey at the plant consisting of an interviewer-administered questionnaire and lung function testing with spirometry. In August 2006, NIOSH staff conducted industrial hygiene air sampling in all areas of the plant. NIOSH staff conducted follow-up spirometry tests on production and laboratory workers at the plant in November 2006. NIOSH staff conducted spirometry tests on 34 of 36 current workers and administered the questionnaire to 31 of 36 current workers at the plant. One former laboratory worker had the questionnaire and spirometry administered at the plant and two former production workers had the questionnaire and spirometry administered at an off-site location. Workers in all areas of the plant commonly reported symptoms of eye and nasal irritation. Respiratory symptoms were reported more often by production workers who made powdered flavorings and by laboratory workers. Respiratory illness was reported mostly by production workers who ever worked in powdered flavoring production. Respiratory illness was reported infrequently by other workers. Of the16 current workers and two former workers who had a history of working in the production room, four were found to have abnormal spirometry: one had mild restriction and the other three had severe fixed obstruction (FEV1 ranged from 21 to 32 percent of predicted). All three production workers with severe obstruction had made powdered flavorings. The highest area TWA total VOC concentrations were seen in the production room, with concentrations ranging from 10.3 mg/m3 to a high of 38.5 mg/m3. The highest real-time area total VOC concentrations (greater than 100,000 ppb units) were identified in the powdered flavoring production area during production of a butter-flavored baking powder which contained diacetyl, specifically when the production worker was filling boxes with the finished product. Some of the highest peak real-time VOC concentrations observed in the liquid flavoring production area may have resulted from migration of contaminants from the powdered flavoring production area. Full-shift personal and area mean TWA diacetyl air concentrations in the liquid flavoring production area were 0.030 ppm and 0.025 ppm respectively, and in the powdered flavoring production area were 0.223 ppm and 0.249 ppm respectively. Partial-shift personal and area mean TWA diacetyl air concentrations in the powdered flavoring production area during the production of butter-flavored and vanilla-flavored powders were 7.76 ppm and 21.2 ppm respectively. Real-time FTIR sampling in the workers' breathing zones during the production of these butter- and vanilla-flavored powders showed peak diacetyl air concentrations as high as 204 ppm during the packaging of the finished product.
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(2007) Yatsko's Popcorn, Sand Coulee, Montana. (Click to open report) In March 2006, NIOSH received a request for a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) from owners of Yatsko's Popcorn, a small popcorn popping plant, located in Sand Coulee, Montana. The company had originally operated out of a smaller building from 1979 to 1999, when the operation was moved to the current location. The occupational exposure concerns cited in this request included flavoring chemicals from popcorn production activities; reported health concerns included breathing problems, shortness of br... (Click to show more)In March 2006, NIOSH received a request for a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) from owners of Yatsko's Popcorn, a small popcorn popping plant, located in Sand Coulee, Montana. The company had originally operated out of a smaller building from 1979 to 1999, when the operation was moved to the current location. The occupational exposure concerns cited in this request included flavoring chemicals from popcorn production activities; reported health concerns included breathing problems, shortness of breath, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and skin disorders. This request was based on health concerns following NIOSH investigations of fixed obstructive lung disease consistent with bronchiolitis obliterans in microwave popcorn plant workers associated with exposure to butter flavorings. We conducted an industrial hygiene survey at the popcorn popping plant on April 12 and 13, 2006. Air samples were collected for total and respirable particles, particle size distributions, volatile organic compounds, total hydrocarbons, ketones (diacetyl, acetoin, and 2-nonanone), inorganic acids, and acetaldehyde. Bulk samples of flavoring ingredients were collected and analyzed for the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on heating. We reviewed medical records for two former workers and one current worker and we interviewed two workers and the spouse of the other worker. In May 2006, subsequent to our survey, the plant closed its operation. The main findings from this HHE include: At this plant, popcorn was popped and bagged; powdered cheese and jalapeno pepper flavorings were manually applied to some of the popped popcorn. Popping and bagging operations were done approximately twice a week for 2 to 4 hours per day depending on orders. Popping was done in a small building with a wall exhaust fan; the worker wore a disposable dust mask during popping; however, this was not a NIOSH-approved respirator. Diacetyl was detected by gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy (GCMS) in vapors released from a bulk sample of flavored oil heated to 50 degrees C in an analytical laboratory, although it was not a predominant volatile organic compound released from the oil. Diacetyl was also detected by GCMS in two- and four-hour area air samples. Concentrations were too low to be detected (less than approximately 0.01 parts per million (ppm) in four-hour personal and area air samples by NIOSH method 2257). Using a direct-reading instrument, a peak diacetyl concentration of 0.14 ppm was measured in the air directly above a heated container of butter-flavored oil. Aldehydes were the predominant type of VOC identified in area air samples. However, acetaldehyde concentrations were less than the detectable (0.09 ppm) or quantifiable (0.15 ppm) concentrations. Average area particle concentrations in air using gravimetric analysis were 2.72 milligrams per cubic meter of air (mg/m3) for total particles and 0.89 mg/m3 for respirable particles. Particle concentrations were higher during popcorn bagging activities than during other activities; particle concentrations were also higher on the day that powdered flavorings were applied to the popcorn than on the day when powdered flavorings were not used. Airborne exposures of this popcorn popping operation included lower diacetyl concentrations and more aldehyde compounds than was observed in microwave popcorn production. All three workers who worked at the company developed respiratory disease while working there. One former worker, who had only worked at the original smaller plant and who eventually died as a result of his respiratory disease, had airways obstruction that improved with a bronchodilator, which is consistent with asthma. Two other workers who had worked at both the original smaller plant and the current plant had symptoms of asthma; one of these had pulmonary function test results that improved significantly with a bronchodilator, which also is consistent with asthma. Some evidence suggests possible bronchiolitis obliterans in the worker who died and in one of the other two workers. While employed at the plant, all three workers experienced worsening of their respiratory symptoms the days they worked. NIOSH investigators found that aldehydes were the predominant type of volatile organic compound identified in air samples at the plant. Diacetyl was present in the air of the plant with a concentration too low to be quantified. Average area particle concentrations in air using gravimetric analysis were 2.72 mg/m3 for total particles and 0.89 mg/m3 for respirable particles. All three workers who worked at the plant developed respiratory symptoms while working there and had worsening of respiratory symptoms on days worked. Evidence from medical records and radiographs of these three individuals was consistent with asthma in all three workers and suggestive of possible bronchiolitis obliterans in two of the workers.
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(2006) ACH Foam Technologies, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. (Click to open report) On May 17, 2005, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a confidential request from three employees at ACH Foam Technologies in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The requestors expressed concerns about potential long-term effects from exposure to smoke and chemicals generated while manufacturing polystyrene and cutting polyethylene sheeting and expandable polystyrene (EPS) foam. On August 31, 2005, NIOSH investigators sampled for chemical byproducts from the EPS process... (Click to show more)On May 17, 2005, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a confidential request from three employees at ACH Foam Technologies in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The requestors expressed concerns about potential long-term effects from exposure to smoke and chemicals generated while manufacturing polystyrene and cutting polyethylene sheeting and expandable polystyrene (EPS) foam. On August 31, 2005, NIOSH investigators sampled for chemical byproducts from the EPS processes at the ACH facility. Personal breathing zone (PBZ) and area air samples were collected for pentane, styrene, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and respirable and total dust. Air samples collected on thermal desorption tubes identified pentane, styrene, acetophenone, ethylbenzene, and xylene as predominant chemicals. The charcoal tubes used to sample for VOCs were submitted for laboratory analysis for acetophenone, ethylbenzene, and xylene. Area concentrations of carbon monoxide, a potential byproduct from the EPS processes, were measured in several departments with a direct reading instrument. All sample results were below applicable occupational exposure limits. NIOSH investigators conclude that a health hazard did not exist on the day of this evaluation. Employees were not exposed over applicable occupational exposure limits to carbon monoxide, pentane, styrene, acetophenone, ethylbenzene, xylene, respirable dust, or total dust while molding and cutting EPS products. Recommendations in this report include providing local exhaust ventilation in the hot wire cutting area, repairing damaged duct work in the Recycling department, and improving communication between supervisors and employees.
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(2006) Broward County Parks and Recreation Division, Markham Park, Sunrise, Florida. (Click to open report) On March 2, 2005, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a confidential union request for a health hazard evaluation at Markham Park in Sunrise, Florida. The request concerned potential exposure to lead, arsenic, pesticides, herbicides, and cleaning chemicals. Employees were concerned about lead exposure from the Park's shooting range and from old painted signs. Arsenic exposure was a concern due to the reported use of an arsenic containing ant-killer and chro... (Click to show more)On March 2, 2005, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a confidential union request for a health hazard evaluation at Markham Park in Sunrise, Florida. The request concerned potential exposure to lead, arsenic, pesticides, herbicides, and cleaning chemicals. Employees were concerned about lead exposure from the Park's shooting range and from old painted signs. Arsenic exposure was a concern due to the reported use of an arsenic containing ant-killer and chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated lumber. Two employees had reportedly been diagnosed with heavy metal poisoning. On July 5-6, 2005, NIOSH investigators conducted surface wipe samples for lead in and around the shooting ranges, and from the hands of shooting range personnel. All workers were invited to participate in medical testing, which included an interview and collection of blood and urine specimens for lead and arsenic, respectively. Surface wipe sampling for lead on table and floor surfaces in the shooting range revealed lead levels ranging from 94.7 micrograms lead per 100 square centimeters (mcg/100 cm2) to 519.7 mcg lead/100 cm2. Lead levels on table and floor surfaces in the firing range clubhouse were approximately 10 times lower (range: 9.3 mcg/100 cm2 to 55.7 mcg lead/100 cm2). Surface lead levels in the recreation areas of the clubhouse were the lowest (5.3 mcg lead/100 cm2 on the picnic table in the clubhouse covered patio area and 1.7 mcg lead/100 cm2 on the floor of the clubhouse conference room). Lead levels on the hands of two range attendants ranged from 27.7 to 88.7 mcg lead. No federal standards for lead contamination of surfaces in occupational settings exist. Of 19 employees, 11 volunteered for medical evaluation (interview and specimen collection) while four other employees provided interviews only. None had elevated urinary inorganic arsenic levels. Four of the range employees had minimally elevated blood lead levels and all others were nondetectable. None of the interviewed employees described adverse health effects they considered work related aside from possible heat stress and hearing loss. At the time of this site visit, arsenic did not present a health hazard. There was evidence of minimal exposures to lead for the firing range staff but not for the groundskeeping staff. The presence of lead on the hands of range attendants highlights the importance of proper personal hygiene practices, as hand-to-mouth ingestion of lead dust could be the cause of the low levels of lead detected in the blood of some of the range staff. Recommendations are made regarding employee training, proper handling of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated lumber, proper range housekeeping, proper storage and handling of onsite chemicals, and further evaluation of heat stress and noise exposures.
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(2006) Buffalo Newspress, Buffalo, New York. (Click to open report) On October 13, 2005, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a confidential employee request to conduct a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at Buffalo Newspress in Buffalo, New York. The request asked NIOSH to evaluate employee exposures to ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), respirable particulate matter, and carbon monoxide (CO). Employee concerns included dermatitis (thought to be caused by contact with the blanket and fountain... (Click to show more)On October 13, 2005, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a confidential employee request to conduct a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at Buffalo Newspress in Buffalo, New York. The request asked NIOSH to evaluate employee exposures to ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), respirable particulate matter, and carbon monoxide (CO). Employee concerns included dermatitis (thought to be caused by contact with the blanket and fountain wash solutions), headaches, burning eyes, and sinus irritation. Results from full-shift personal breathing zone (PBZ) air samples for ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, VOCs, and respirable dust were below occupational exposure criteria. However, dermal contact with these compounds was observed to be a significant route of exposure in press employees. In addition, employee skin examinations revealed that nearly one third of 41 interviewed had a visible hand/arm rash consistent with workplace exposure. Approximately 80% of workers wore wrist-length vinyl gloves during the handling of inks, blanket wash solutions, and other solvents. Barrier creams and gauntlet-type nitrile gloves were available on request, but were not in regular use. General area measurements of CO at various plant locations indicated that sources (ovens, heating units, and propane-powered forklift trucks) increased CO air concentrations above the plant background of 1-2 parts per million (ppm). Although no CO sample result exceeded the NIOSH Ceiling limit of 200 ppm, some press room workers' exposures may exceed the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) of 35 ppm as a time-weighted average. The high prevalence of headache (56%) among press employees suggests a possible relationship between these headaches and CO concentrations. NIOSH investigators conclude that a health hazard existed at the time of the survey from dermal exposure to blanket wash and other solvents. Observations of work practices, glove type, and glove use and availability indicate a significant opportunity for dermal exposure to Rycoline blanket wash and fountain solution and other solvents among press employees. The prevalence of contact dermatitis among these workers indicates that skin exposure to workplace solvents should be minimized. PBZ air sampling in the press room indicated that no exceedence of any occupational airborne exposure criteria occurred during the survey. General area air concentrations of CO above background levels (1-2 ppm) and the occurrence of headache among press employees indicate that actions to decrease CO exposure in the press room are necessary. Recommendations include improving press room ventilation, implementing a personal protective equipment (PPE) program that includes worker training, using less abrasive hand cleaners, and supplying appropriate gloves and barrier creams.
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(2006) Buildings in the Vicinity of the World Trade Center, New York City, New York. (Click to open report) On January 1, 2002, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received three health hazard evaluation (HHE) requests from employee representatives at four different work sites: Stuyvesant High School, the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), 120 Broadway and 40 Rector Street (housing four city agencies), near the World Trade Center (WTC) site. This report summarizes four separate NIOSH investigations, which document the extent of physical and psychological sympt... (Click to show more)On January 1, 2002, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received three health hazard evaluation (HHE) requests from employee representatives at four different work sites: Stuyvesant High School, the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), 120 Broadway and 40 Rector Street (housing four city agencies), near the World Trade Center (WTC) site. This report summarizes four separate NIOSH investigations, which document the extent of physical and psychological symptoms among workers at these sites in the months following the September 11, 2001 disaster at the WTC. Each of these reports compared physical and mental health symptoms among employees at these buildings with the same symptoms among employees at comparable New York City work sites distant from the WTC. NIOSH personnel conducted a questionnaire survey of employees at Stuyvesant High School and a comparison high school, La Guardia High School, in late January 2002. The survey occurred at BMCC and a comparison college, York Community College, in mid-March 2002; at 40 Rector Street in early April 2002, and at 120 Broadway (state attorney general's office) in early June 2002. The LeFrak Building, was surveyed in early April 2002 and was the comparison building for 40 Rector Street and 120 Broadway. We used a self-administered questionnaire to ask about physical and mental health symptoms that occurred since September 11 and symptoms still present at the time of the survey. In addition, we used the questionnaire to ask participants about experiences on September 11, about medical diagnoses since then, and about social support. Participation rates were 82%-83% at both high schools and at the 40 Rector Street building, 76% at the comparison office building, about 55%-60% at BMCC, about 45%-50% at the comparison college, and 37% at the 120 Broadway building. In all four studies, the prevalence of physical symptoms, including upper and lower respiratory symptoms, tended to be higher at the work sites near the WTC site than at the comparison work sites. The prevalence of persistent symptoms (upper and lower respiratory symptoms) also tended to be higher. Depressive symptoms and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were prevalent at Stuyvesant and BMCC, but not at the two office buildings. Likewise, PTSD diagnosed since September 11 was more prevalent at Stuyvesant and BMCC than at their comparison sites, and a similar, though not statistically significant, prevalence ratio was found at the 40 Rector Street building. Newly diagnosed depression was not statistically more prevalent at any of the individual sites than at the comparison sites. All the surveys were limited by the lack of quantitative information about employees' exposures to dust and smoke from the collapsing buildings and fires on September 11 and our inability to infer medical diagnoses solely on the basis of a symptom survey. Since our interim letters were issued, published reports from several studies have described short- and medium-term physical health effects among rescue workers, office workers, and residents from the surrounding community. These studies have provided information suggesting that exposure to the dust cloud and the chemical/physical properties of the dust from the collapse of the buildings on September 11 as well as exposures to combustion products from the burning materials have contributed to the respiratory problems. Continued longitudinal follow-up of those exposed will be necessary to determine whether the changes in spirometry documented up to 5 years post-disaster will lead to chronic problems or whether the initial decline in respiratory function will be followed by recovery, as has been seen in other irritant-exposed groups. Reports of psychological problems have also been well documented since our interim letters were issued. On-going interventions addressing these reactions may help prevent the development of long-lasting psychological sequelae. NIOSH investigators determined that an occupational health hazard due to exposures surrounding the collapse of the World Trade Center existed among the working groups studied. A substantial burden of symptoms of depression and PTSD, as well as physical symptoms of eye irritation and upper airway irritation were present among those surveyed. Recommendations for medical evaluation of symptomatic persons, facilitating access to medical heath services, fostering social support, and training were given.
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(2006) Claremont Flock Corporation, Leominster, Massachusetts. (Click to open report) In 1997, a case of flock workers' lung occurred at Claremont Flock Corporation. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a health hazard evaluation (HHE) in 1998 at several of Claremont Flock's plants and found that cleaning with compressed air and bagging flock were associated with worker-reported symptoms. The HHE report provided environmental and medical recommendations to the company to prevent flock-related disease in their plants. In March 2004, based on ... (Click to show more)In 1997, a case of flock workers' lung occurred at Claremont Flock Corporation. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a health hazard evaluation (HHE) in 1998 at several of Claremont Flock's plants and found that cleaning with compressed air and bagging flock were associated with worker-reported symptoms. The HHE report provided environmental and medical recommendations to the company to prevent flock-related disease in their plants. In March 2004, based on a case report consistent with flock workers' lung at Claremont Flock's only remaining plant, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Occupational Health Surveillance Program requested technical assistance to determine if there had been improvement in the environmental conditions and to update the health status of the workforce. NIOSH conducted environmental and medical surveys at this plant in January 2005 to characterize exposures and symptoms of flock-exposed workers and internal comparison groups. The environmental survey consisted of personal time-integrated gravimetric sampling for respirable dust concentration and sampling with aerosol photometers to obtain real-time continuous relative levels of dust (approximately respirable) during some plant activities. Videotaping was done to record events that might be associated with any observed peaks in real-time readings. We invited all 80 employees to take part in the medical survey. Trained NIOSH interviewers administered computer-based questionnaires that focused on respiratory and systemic symptoms, physician diagnosis of respiratory illnesses, smoking, work history, respirator use, and whether fit-testing had been conducted. Time-integrated respirable dust sampling results showed that the bagger/cutters and the dryer operators had the highest geometric mean 8-hour time-weighted exposures of 0.13 and 0.80 mg/m3, respectively. For most groups of workers, the exposures were found to be largely unchanged since our previous investigation in 1998, but for these 2 groups of workers the exposures were found to have increased. This happened despite the engineering control changes made in the plant since 1998. Real-time personal sampling results indicated that cleaning operations, such as blowing with compressed air, sweeping, and shovelling of flock, were associated with increases in dust levels around the workers. Manipulation of bags of flock both inside and outside of designated "respirator-required" zones at bagging stations was also associated with elevated levels of dust. A total of 74 employees (participation rate = 92.5%) participated in the medical survey. The majority of employees were male (92%), white (58%), and non-smokers (76%). The mean tenure of Claremont Flock workers was 8 years, and only 16% of workers had either changed jobs or started working at Claremont Flock within the last 6 months. A total of 22 participants (30%) reported cleaning with compressed air for at least one hour per week, and 23 participants (31%) reported working with cotton in the last 12 months. Except for bagging cotton, there was an increase in the percentage of employees who wear respirators during their activities, when we compared the 2005 and 1998 surveys. The percentage of fit-tested workers also increased in the 2005 survey compared to the 1998 survey. The most frequently reported symptoms were wheeze apart from colds, throat irritation, and sinus problems. The prevalences of throat irritation, usual and chronic cough, shortness of breath while walking up a slight hill, and wheeze apart from colds were lower among never smokers compared to current or former smokers. When we took into account only symptoms with onset after employment at Claremont Flock, chronic phlegm and shortness of breath were the most frequently reported symptoms. "Wheeze apart from cold" and "pneumonia in the last year" were statistically significantly elevated when we compared symptom prevalences of participating workers to expected prevalences based on national data. In general, dryers and baggers/cutters, workers who cleaned for one hour or more per week using compressed air, and employees with high cumulative exposure to flock-associated dust (> 0.425 mgyear/m3) had higher prevalences of symptoms than other workers. In multivariate models, cleaning equipment with compressed air was significantly associated with throat irritation. High cumulative exposures were significantly associated with the development of sinus irritation. A comparison of 1998 symptom prevalences for a subgroup that participated in both the 1998 and 2005 surveys indicated that those who continued working had lower symptom prevalences than those who had left after 1998. This is a form of "healthy-worker effect", whereby health effects of a workplace exposure are underestimated by looking at current workers. We conclude that working with flock and cleaning with compressed air are associated with health effects at this plant. We recommend that the company prevent flock-associated dust exposures: by providing engineering controls and improving work practices for the bagging process including not only the filling of bags at the bagging stations but also the subsequent manipulation of the bags for weighing, sewing, and palletizing; by determining and controlling the source of elevated dust levels during production in the dryer rooms and repositioning the dryer room bagging station local exhaust ventilation hoods to the tops of the bags being filled with flock; by providing new cleaning methods that will eliminate the elevated dust levels associated with compressed-air blow-downs, sweeping, and shovelling of flock; by verifying effectiveness of controls with regular air sampling; and by expanding respiratory protection requirements, until the controls can be implemented, to all bagging and flock-cleaning processes, including manual unplugging of accumulators (enclosed baghouses), and to the entire production operation in the dryer rooms. In terms of medical recommendations, we suggest that the company continue to offer a smoking cessation program and to enforce the no-smoking policy already in place; include in the current respirator program a means of identifying workers with respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, or phlegm production, and a means of detecting declines in lung function; and provide information about flock workers' lung to employees and health consultants responsible for the respirator program. We also recommend that employees wear respirators when required; handle bags of flock with care to prevent airborne flock; seek medical evaluation for respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, or phlegm production and inform health care providers of flock exposures; and inform management of respiratory symptoms and associated flock exposures. The Claremont Flock plant in Leominster, Massachusetts was first evaluated by NIOSH in 1998 as part of its initial investigation of the risk of occupational lung disease from exposure to flock-associated dust. In 2004, after learning that a worker at this plant had been recently identified as having medical findings consistent with flock workers' lung, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Occupational Health Surveillance Program requested NIOSH technical assistance to determine if there had been improvement in environmental conditions at the plant and to obtain updated information on the health status of the workforce. NIOSH conducted a medical and environmental survey at this plant in January 2005. Despite engineering control changes implemented after 1998, respirable dust levels were found to be unchanged or increased. Upper respiratory symptoms were associated with cleaning equipment with compressed air, and with high cumulative exposure to flock-associated dust. To minimize the risk to workers, management should improve work practices and increase mandatory use of respirator...
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(2006) DaimlerChrysler Jefferson North Assembly Plant, Detroit, Michigan. (Click to open report) On November 15, 2005, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a Health Hazard Evaluation from workers at DaimlerChrysler's Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit, Michigan. The request stated that workers were experiencing respiratory problems (asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) and deaths in the setting of inadequate control of welding-related exposures. Several workers reported that they were awar... (Click to show more)On November 15, 2005, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a Health Hazard Evaluation from workers at DaimlerChrysler's Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit, Michigan. The request stated that workers were experiencing respiratory problems (asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) and deaths in the setting of inadequate control of welding-related exposures. Several workers reported that they were aware of coworkers who had developed respiratory disease (COPD, cancer) after they started working at the plant and had died at relatively young ages (mid 40s to early 60s). A young worker with preexisting asthma had died of asthma in October 2005 several hours after getting off work. Findings indicating that asthma was the cause of death were noted on the autopsy report. Most of the welding at JNAP is resistance (spot) welding performed by robots. Some of the welding areas have plastic sheeting and exhaust fans (process ventilation) to decrease contamination of the plant air. Some repair welding is performed by workers utilizing gas metal arc welding (also known as metal inert gas (MIG) welding) and flux-cored arc welding. Among the concerns reported by workers was the potential for increased welding-related exposures when less outside air is brought into the plant by the ventilation system during cold weather. Workers reported that repair welding was often performed with no local exhaust ventilation. Workers were also concerned about the potential for health effects from exposures to chemicals resulting from welding on metal parts that have had adhesives applied in the production process. Some workers on the fluid-fill deck reported recurrent problems with asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis that they felt were related to exposures to engine fluids (radiator, brake, power steering) and airconditioning refrigerant. NIOSH staff visited JNAP from February 8-10, 2006 to obtain additional information regarding potential worker exposures and health effects. NIOSH staff performed a walkthrough of the entire facility and performed qualitative and semiquantitative air sampling for particulate and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at several locations. The highest particle counts were for particles less than one micrometer in diameter. Some of the VOCs detected in the plant air were also detected in the headspace of adhesive bulk samples. NIOSH staff reviewed air sampling data and material safety data sheets provided by the company, and two reports prepared by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) which detailed the findings of their evaluations of welding-related exposures at JNAP in October 2005 and January 2006. None of the air sampling results exceeded existing MIOSHA permissible exposure limits or NIOSH recommended exposure limits. The potential for eye, skin, or respiratory tract irritation from exposures to adhesives and other substances used in the plant was documented in material safety data sheets. Twenty one employees discussed their health concerns with NIOSH staff. Four of these employees permitted review of their medical records. Information on the 31 year-old employee, who died after completing his work shift, was obtained from an autopsy report, his next of kin, and coworkers. Seven employees in the body shop reported symptoms consistent with new-onset asthma or exacerbation of pre-existing asthma (including the 31 year-old employee who died after completing his work shift). Three of these seven employees had medical evaluation results (including the above-mentioned autopsy report) that were consistent with new-onset asthma or exacerbation of pre-existing asthma. Four employees reported asthma and/or recurrent bronchitis while working on the fluid-fill deck. One of these four employees provided medical records which showed reversible airways obstruction consistent with asthma on lung function tests. JNAP employees can be exposed to many agents with potential to induce or aggravate respiratory illness. Some employees may be affected by the combined effects of exposure to several irritants in the form of dusts, fumes, and gases. This will be more likely when ventilation is decreased due to mechanical breakdowns or in an attempt to decrease heating costs during winter months. Regulatory compliance with exposure limits does not ensure that all workers are protected. The potential for exposures in automotive assembly plants to cause occupational respiratory problems has not yet been adequately assessed. Symptoms and illnesses in employees suggest that additional medical monitoring and control of exposures at JNAP should be implemented and detailed studies to assess occupational health risk conducted. JNAP management should implement the recommendations provided in this report to minimize the potential risk to employees from welding-related and other exposure sources in the plant.
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(2006) Diversified Roofing Inc., Phoenix, Arizona. (Click to open report) On March 31, 2003, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers Local 135 at Diversified Roofing Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona. The request stated that employees were exposed to hazardous levels of dust, particularly crystalline silica, while cutting cement tiles. A concern was also raised about the lack of training and use of personal protective equipment. ... (Click to show more)On March 31, 2003, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers Local 135 at Diversified Roofing Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona. The request stated that employees were exposed to hazardous levels of dust, particularly crystalline silica, while cutting cement tiles. A concern was also raised about the lack of training and use of personal protective equipment. An initial site visit was conducted on April 29-30, 2003. This visit included observations of the tile cutting process, collection of bulk samples of tile dust, and spot measurements of dust, noise, and carbon monoxide (CO) levels. A second site visit was conducted on June 16-18, 2003. Respirable and total dust, respirable silica, noise, and CO were monitored on employees performing roof installation. All employees who were monitored were asked questions on general health symptoms, work practices, and use of personal protective equipment. Eight full-shift personal noise samples, eight full-shift personal breathing zone (PBZ) air samples for CO, sixteen full-shift PBZ air samples for respirable dust and silica, and nineteen full-shift PBZ air samples for total dust were collected over the 2 days. The noise exposure results showed that all of the employees' exposures were over the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL), 63% (5 of 8) exceeded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Action Level, and 38% (3 of 8) were over the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for noise. The CO exposure results showed that all of the employees' exposures were below the REL time-weighted average; one employee's exposure exceeded the NIOSH ceiling level. The respirable silica (quartz) exposure results showed that 88% (14 of 16) of the employees' levels exceeded the NIOSH REL and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists threshold limit value, and 75% (12 of 16) exceeded the OSHA PEL for respirable silica. The total dust exposures ranged from 0.68 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) to 13 mg/m3. The respirable dust exposures ranged from 0.23 mg/m3 to 2.3 mg/m3. During the initial site visit informal employee interviews revealed that the duration of employment ranged from a few weeks to 7 years. Most of the employees reported wearing hard hats and eye protection regularly; respirators and hearing protection were infrequently worn. None of the employees reported that they knew the hazards of silica overexposure even though some employees reported respiratory symptoms consistent with silica overexposures, such as difficulty breathing and/or cough. A follow-up visit was conducted February 22-24, 2005, to perform the medical screening component of the HHE. Employees were invited to participate if they had at least 5 years experience as a roofer. Duration of dry cutting was used as a marker for duration of respirable silica exposure. The medical screening included a questionnaire, lung function test (i.e., spirometry), and a chest x-ray. NIOSH personnel read the questionnaire aloud to participants in their primary language. Spirometry results were reviewed by a NIOSH pulmonologist. The chest x-rays were interpreted by NIOSH certified B-readers according to the standards set forth by the International Labor Organization for grading work-related lung disease chest x-rays. Most roofers who participated in the medical screening had normal lung function. Of those with abnormal lung function, none had moderate or severe impairments. After controlling for the effects of smoking, it was found that lung function decreased with increasing years of dry cutting cement tiles. No chest x-rays showed findings consistent with silicosis. Previous air sampling confirmed that all employees on the roof when tile cutting was occurring could be overexposed to respirable silica, placing them at risk for silicosis. It is vital to institute OSHA-mandated employee protection programs to protect workers from further exposure to respirable silica. Employee monitoring for silicosis should also be started as per the recommendations set forth in OSHA's Special Emphasis Project for Silicosis. NIOSH investigators determined that an occupational health hazard due to exposures to respirable silica and noise existed for workers at Diversified Roofing Inc. Recommendations for controlling workplace exposures include reducing or eliminating exposures by implementing engineering controls and enforcing the use of personal protective equipment under the OSHA respirator program guidelines. Employees need education regarding the potential health hazards of respirable silica exposure, and an employee monitoring program as per the OSHA Special Emphasis Program on silica should be implemented. Additional recommendations are included at the end of this report.
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