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HHE Search Results
477 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
(1994) Magnetics Division of Spang and Company, Butler, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to an employee request, an investigation was begun into possible exposures to paint, paint thinners, and Freon at the Magnetics Division of Spang and Company (SIC-3679), Butler, Pennsylvania. The division employed about 450 people and manufactured two types of magnetic cores used in a variety of electronic devices. Workers in the Tape Core Paint Room had experienced light headedness or fainting episodes. Only one sample contained measurable levels of 2-ethoxyethyl-acetate (111159) bu... (Click to show more)In response to an employee request, an investigation was begun into possible exposures to paint, paint thinners, and Freon at the Magnetics Division of Spang and Company (SIC-3679), Butler, Pennsylvania. The division employed about 450 people and manufactured two types of magnetic cores used in a variety of electronic devices. Workers in the Tape Core Paint Room had experienced light headedness or fainting episodes. Only one sample contained measurable levels of 2-ethoxyethyl-acetate (111159) but the level was 0.25 parts per million (ppm), one half of the NIOSH recommended exposure limit for full shift time weighted average exposure. Methylene-chloride (75092) was detected in all but one of the air samples with levels ranging up to 35ppm. One personal breathing zone sample had a lead (7439921) concentration of 36 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) which exceeded the OSHA action level for lead of 30microg/m3. The paint booth exhaust systems appeared to be operating efficiently and there were good work practices among the painters. The authors conclude that workers were exposed to methylene-chloride, considered by NIOSH to be a potential occupational carcinogen. Exposures to lead and 2- ethoxyethyl-acetate may exceed the evaluation criteria. Some workers may experience symptoms when working near solvents and paints, even though the measured exposures were below the permissible exposure limits. The authors recommend that efforts be made to reduce exposures in the paint room.
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(1994) Rosebud Company, Atlanta, Georgia. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the owner, an evaluation was made of potential hazardous conditions associated with the use of an experimental paint stripper to renovate wood floors by the Rosebud Company (SIC-1752), Atlanta, Georgia. The work was being performed at an antique residence undergoing renovation. The paint stripper, Experimental Solvent System Formulat MPB, was a viscous liquid used for passive refinishing. Personal exposures to n-methyl- pyrrolidinone (872504) (NMP) were documented a... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the owner, an evaluation was made of potential hazardous conditions associated with the use of an experimental paint stripper to renovate wood floors by the Rosebud Company (SIC-1752), Atlanta, Georgia. The work was being performed at an antique residence undergoing renovation. The paint stripper, Experimental Solvent System Formulat MPB, was a viscous liquid used for passive refinishing. Personal exposures to n-methyl- pyrrolidinone (872504) (NMP) were documented at 3.3 and 4.0 parts per million (ppm) on two occasions at the work site. Area samples averaged 3.6 and 7.7ppm. No detectable lead (7439921) was found in the personal or area air samples taken. Wipe samples prior to renovation found a surface lead level of 158 micrograms per square foot from a section of baseboard. Four paint chip samples from the floor or a room being renovated contained 0.19% to 0.28% lead. Levels of formic-acid (64186) were below the 5ppm OSHA permissible exposure limit. The author concludes that the health hazard associated with NMP exposure is not clear. The author recommends that additional precautions be taken to reduce potential exposures for workers and others in the building.
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(1994) State of Rhode Island, Department of Employment and Training, Providence, Rhode Island. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the management of the Rhode Island Department of Employment and Training (DET) (SIC-9441), Providence, Rhode Island, an investigation was started into possible excessive exposures to lead (7439921) following abrasive blasting to remove lead based paint from the interior surfaces of the facility prior to occupancy of the building. Environmental monitoring studies were conducted approximately 18 months after the lead abatement activity had been completed. No lead was ... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the management of the Rhode Island Department of Employment and Training (DET) (SIC-9441), Providence, Rhode Island, an investigation was started into possible excessive exposures to lead (7439921) following abrasive blasting to remove lead based paint from the interior surfaces of the facility prior to occupancy of the building. Environmental monitoring studies were conducted approximately 18 months after the lead abatement activity had been completed. No lead was detected in any of the twelve general area samples taken for airborne lead. Two bulk samples of residue abrasive blasting and paint chips material contained 3,300 and 120,000 micrograms of lead/gram of material. Forty wipe samples obtained from surfaces in the office ranged from 9 to 200,000 micrograms of lead/square foot. The authors conclude that a potential health hazard existed due to the presence of lead contaminated dust. The authors recommend that manual cleaning and vacuuming of these areas using a high efficiency particulate air filtering system be conducted.
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(1994) United Seal Company, Columbus, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Columbus Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, an investigation was made into possible excessive lead (7439921) exposure at United Seal Company (SIC-3679), Columbus, Ohio. The referral came from a local hospital where a patient was found to have blood lead levels in excess of 40 micrograms/deciliter. The patient's children were being treated concurrently for lead poisoning at the same hospital. The worker was employed at the United Seal Company. In additi... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Columbus Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, an investigation was made into possible excessive lead (7439921) exposure at United Seal Company (SIC-3679), Columbus, Ohio. The referral came from a local hospital where a patient was found to have blood lead levels in excess of 40 micrograms/deciliter. The patient's children were being treated concurrently for lead poisoning at the same hospital. The worker was employed at the United Seal Company. In addition to the index case, two of seven workers tested had blood lead levels greater than 25 micrograms/deciliter. None had other biochemical evidence of lead toxicity. Employees had not received the proper education about the hazards of lead exposure and its prevention. Appropriate personal hygiene measures were not taken at the site. Wipe sampling indicated that workers' hands were contaminated with lead, even after washing with soap and water prior to leaving the worksite at the end of the shift. Surface lead concentrations were quite high in workers' automobiles, particularly on the seat and floor area. The authors conclude that two of seven workers had elevated blood levels. Worker education, and personal hygiene practices were not adequate to control lead exposure. The authors recommend that specific measures be taken to reduce exposure in the work areas and to minimize the amount of lead taken home.
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(1994) UNR-Rohn Manufacturing, Peoria, Illinois. (Click to open report) In response to a confidential request, an investigation was begun into reports of headaches and nausea in workers in the galvanizing department at UNR-Rohn Manufacturing (SIC-3479), Peoria, Illinois. The facility manufactured solid member hot dip galvanized towers and did customized galvanizing work. The company employed 51 workers in the galvanizing department. Personal breathing zone samples for zinc (7440666), cadmium (7440439), chromium (7440473), ammonia (7664417) and aluminum (7429905) all... (Click to show more)In response to a confidential request, an investigation was begun into reports of headaches and nausea in workers in the galvanizing department at UNR-Rohn Manufacturing (SIC-3479), Peoria, Illinois. The facility manufactured solid member hot dip galvanized towers and did customized galvanizing work. The company employed 51 workers in the galvanizing department. Personal breathing zone samples for zinc (7440666), cadmium (7440439), chromium (7440473), ammonia (7664417) and aluminum (7429905) all were well below the allowable limit. Samples for lead (7439921) ranged from trace to 56.1 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) of air; the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) was 50microg/m3. Surface wipe samples were collected and found to contain zinc at a range of 5.3 to 331mg/m2, lead from nondetectable to 16.3mg/m2, chromium ranging from nondetectable to 4.6mg/m2, and nondetectable for cadmium. The author concludes that workers were potentially exposed to lead levels in excess of the PEL. The author recommends that surface metal contamination levels should be kept at a minimum in areas such as the break area and rest rooms. Cadmium concentrations should be kept to the lowest feasible limit. Exposure monitoring should be continued, and improvements made in worker personal hygiene, and workplace cleanliness.
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(1993) Boston Edison Company, Boston, Massachusetts. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Utility Workers Union of America, Local 377, an evaluation was conducted of smoke, gases and other unknown potentially toxic substances present in underground utility vaults at the Boston Edison Company (SIC-4911), Boston, Massachusetts. Blood lead (7439921) levels were determined in workers and ranged from less than 5 to 43 micrograms/deciliter. Surface wipe and air samples from the vaults were analyzed for lead. Airborne lead concentrations ranged from 0.22 to... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Utility Workers Union of America, Local 377, an evaluation was conducted of smoke, gases and other unknown potentially toxic substances present in underground utility vaults at the Boston Edison Company (SIC-4911), Boston, Massachusetts. Blood lead (7439921) levels were determined in workers and ranged from less than 5 to 43 micrograms/deciliter. Surface wipe and air samples from the vaults were analyzed for lead. Airborne lead concentrations ranged from 0.22 to 17 micrograms per cubic meter. Wipe samples taken from work surfaces, clothing, and hands had lead concentrations ranging from nondetectable to 9.3 milligrams per sample. Potentially hazardous work practices were observed in and around the underground utility vaults including the handling of molten lead in uncovered containers; use of infrequently calibrated gas detection meters; the generation of smoke, gases, and vapors during cable slicing operations; poor housekeeping practices; cramped working conditions; and working on uneven working surfaces. The authors conclude that potential safety hazards existed during work within the utility vaults. Blood lead levels in several workers exceeded the public health service goal of 25 micrograms/deciliter. The authors recommend changes to the basic health and safety practices for work in underground utility vaults.
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(1993) Curcio Scrap Metal, Cirello Iron and Steel, Saddle Brook, New Jersey. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the New Jersey Department of Health, an investigation was begun into possible exposures to lead (7439921) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from contaminated soil at Curcio Scrap Metal and Cirello Iron and Steel (SIC-5093), Saddle Brook, New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the EPA had previously identified high concentrations of contaminants in the soil at the site. Curcio Scrap Metal was involved in nonferrous metal recycling, p... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the New Jersey Department of Health, an investigation was begun into possible exposures to lead (7439921) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from contaminated soil at Curcio Scrap Metal and Cirello Iron and Steel (SIC-5093), Saddle Brook, New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the EPA had previously identified high concentrations of contaminants in the soil at the site. Curcio Scrap Metal was involved in nonferrous metal recycling, predominantly aluminum. Much of the work area was located indoors and contact with contaminated soil appeared to be minimal. Cirello Iron and Steel was involved in ferrous metal recycling and was located on the unpaved lot at the same facility. The concentrations of lead found in the blood of workers ranged from 4 to 39.8 micrograms per deciliter (microg/dl). Levels of PCBs ranged from less than one to 65.3 parts per billion (ppb) with a mean of 7.5ppb. No significant differences were found in the blood lead levels or serum PCB levels of workers for each of the two companies. There was an increase in blood lead levels in direct relation to the number of cigarettes smoked on the job. Increased PCB levels were associated with eating lunch in the work area. No correlation was found between the blood lead levels and the PCB levels in the serum. The author concludes that exposure to lead occurred at both sites. Serum PCB concentrations were not higher than those in the general population. The author recommends that continued measurements be taken and that work practices be improved.
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(1993) General Castings - Power Street Facility, Cincinnati, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from management, an evaluation was undertaken of worker exposures in the coremaking, molding, pouring, melting, shakeout, cleaning and sand handling areas of the General Castings Power Street Facility (SIC-3321), Cincinnati, Ohio. The facility was a gray and ductile iron foundry which employed 32 workers. Three coremaking processes were used: hot shell, oil bake, and no bake. Of the 15 environmental samples taken, four exceeded the OSHA 100 micrograms/cubic meter (microg... (Click to show more)In response to a request from management, an evaluation was undertaken of worker exposures in the coremaking, molding, pouring, melting, shakeout, cleaning and sand handling areas of the General Castings Power Street Facility (SIC-3321), Cincinnati, Ohio. The facility was a gray and ductile iron foundry which employed 32 workers. Three coremaking processes were used: hot shell, oil bake, and no bake. Of the 15 environmental samples taken, four exceeded the OSHA 100 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) limit for respirable silica (14808607) as quartz. At the time of the survey, a local exhaust ventilation and bag house system was being installed. Personal breathing zone concentrations of lead (7439921) exceeded the 50microg/m3 permissible exposure level for the furnace operator and two pourers. Benzene (71432) exposures were in excess of the 0.1 part per million recommended exposure limit for two coremakers and a pourer. Carbon-monoxide (630080) levels ranged from 6 to 38 parts per million (ppm). Phenol (108952), toluene (108883), formaldehyde (50000), and other metals did not exceed recommended criteria levels. The authors conclude that workers without respiratory protection were overexposed to respirable silica, lead, carbon-monoxide, and benzene. The authors recommend that engineering controls and improved work practices be instituted to control exposures.
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(1993) General Castings - Toledo Street Facility, Delaware, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from management, an investigation was begun into worker exposures at the Toledo Street Facility of General Castings (SIC-3321), Delaware, Ohio. The facility was a gray and ductile iron foundry with 55 workers on three shifts. Personal breathing zone concentrations of respirable silica (14808607) ranged from 31 to 284 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3) as time weighted averages (TWAs). Of the 16 nearly full shift samples taken, six exceeded the OSHA Permissible Exposu... (Click to show more)In response to a request from management, an investigation was begun into worker exposures at the Toledo Street Facility of General Castings (SIC-3321), Delaware, Ohio. The facility was a gray and ductile iron foundry with 55 workers on three shifts. Personal breathing zone concentrations of respirable silica (14808607) ranged from 31 to 284 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3) as time weighted averages (TWAs). Of the 16 nearly full shift samples taken, six exceeded the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit of 100microg/m3. Benzene (71432S) was detected in one sample for a molder at 0.1 parts per million (ppm), equal to the NIOSH recommended limits. Formaldehyde (50000) concentrations in the area ranged from 0.012 to 0.026ppm. Carbon-monoxide (630080) concentrations ranged from 2 to 30ppm with five of the ten personal breathing zone samples exceeding the accepted levels. Phenol (108952) at 0.07 to 0.54ppm, isopropanol (67630) at 1 to 38ppm, toluene (108883) at less than 0.062 to 0.066ppm, and the metals aluminum (7429905), chromium (7440473), copper (7440508), iron (7439896), magnesium (7439954), manganese (7439965), lead (7439921), and zinc (7440666), did not exceed the recommended limits. The authors conclude that there was a hazard from respirable silica, carbon-monoxide, formaldehyde, and benzene exposures in the coremaking, molding, and shakeout areas. The authors recommend that engineering controls, an improved respiratory protection program, and improved work practices be implemented to reduce exposures.
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(1993) Indian Industries, Evansville, Indiana. (Click to open report) In response to a request by an employee of Indian Industries (SIC- 3949), Evansville, Indiana an investigation was conducted of possible occupational exposures to BZ-123 which contains a mixture of solvents. The facility employed 250 to 400 workers in the manufacture of sporting goods equipment. Interviews were conducted with 17 of the over 300 workers at the production facility and air and hand wipe samples were analyzed for the presence of organic solvents. For paint line operators during clea... (Click to show more)In response to a request by an employee of Indian Industries (SIC- 3949), Evansville, Indiana an investigation was conducted of possible occupational exposures to BZ-123 which contains a mixture of solvents. The facility employed 250 to 400 workers in the manufacture of sporting goods equipment. Interviews were conducted with 17 of the over 300 workers at the production facility and air and hand wipe samples were analyzed for the presence of organic solvents. For paint line operators during cleanup, personal breathing zone concentrations of toluene (108883) ranged from 9.1 to 429.4 parts per million (ppm); for one worker, the short term exposure exceeded the NIOSH exposure limit of 150ppm. Styrene (100425) concentrations ranged from 0.64 to 20.9ppm. Low levels of cadmium (7440439), chromium (7440473), lead (7439921), nickel (7440020), and zinc (7440666) were identified in hand wipe samples. The authors conclude that workers were exposed to potentially hazardous concentrations of organic solvents. The authors recommend that efforts be made to reduce exposures, including improvements in local exhaust ventilation, the implementation of a respiratory protection program, and the use of personal protective equipment.
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