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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
(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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(1993) JMS Southeast, Inc., Statesville, North Carolina. (Click to open report) In response to a confidential employee request, an investigation was begun of worker exposures to airborne contaminants and the effectiveness of the ventilation system at JMS Southeast, Inc. (SIC- 3823), Statesville, North Carolina. The company employed 42 workers, including 17 directly involved in manufacturing temperature measurement devices for industrial applications. Processes evaluated at this site during the on site visit included tungsten inert gas welding (TIG), metal grinding, buffing ... (Click to show more)In response to a confidential employee request, an investigation was begun of worker exposures to airborne contaminants and the effectiveness of the ventilation system at JMS Southeast, Inc. (SIC- 3823), Statesville, North Carolina. The company employed 42 workers, including 17 directly involved in manufacturing temperature measurement devices for industrial applications. Processes evaluated at this site during the on site visit included tungsten inert gas welding (TIG), metal grinding, buffing and sanding, brazing and soldering, and degreasing. Observations included sporadic adherence to the use of personal protective equipment and the lack of a formal safety program. Shop vacuums were used to ventilate the grinders and tubing cutters and did not appear to effectively contain the dusts after collection. Air sampling results indicated that contaminant levels were below NIOSH recommended exposure limits. Low concentrations of metals, both fumes and dust, were detected at several workstations. The author concludes that workers were not exposed to airborne contaminants above recommended limits at the time of the survey. The shop vacuums used as local exhaust systems were not intended for this use. The author recommends specific measures to improve the level of safety and health, including ventilation and employee training.
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(1993) Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from Ohio University Athens, Ohio, concerning worker exposures and cleaning effectiveness during a lead based paint cleaning pilot program conducted by a lead abatement contractor (SIC-1799), three cleaning methods were evaluated. The pilot program involved testing the three methods in unoccupied buildings contaminated with deteriorated lead (7439921) based paint. A visit was made to the site to observe work practices, and conduct air, surface, and bulk sampling for lead... (Click to show more)In response to a request from Ohio University Athens, Ohio, concerning worker exposures and cleaning effectiveness during a lead based paint cleaning pilot program conducted by a lead abatement contractor (SIC-1799), three cleaning methods were evaluated. The pilot program involved testing the three methods in unoccupied buildings contaminated with deteriorated lead (7439921) based paint. A visit was made to the site to observe work practices, and conduct air, surface, and bulk sampling for lead. The three cleaning methods included dry scraping followed by broom sweeping, wet scraping followed by high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtered vacuuming, and wet scraping followed by HEPA vacuuming with a HEPA filtered air filtration device placed in the room to exhaust room air to the outside. Six workers cleaned 18 rooms in 1 day. Sampling for lead was conducted before, during and after cleaning. The authors conclude that workers were potentially overexposed to lead during the three methods. The wet HEPA method was the best for controlling lead exposures. Even using this method, lead exposures during cleaning reached 50 micrograms/cubic meter. The cleaning effectiveness of the three methods was not significantly different. The authors recommend that the contractor furnish workers with NIOSH approved HEPA filter respirators, protective clothing, a clean change area, handwashing facilities, and job specific hazard training.
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(1993) Rhode Island Department of Education, Providence, Rhode Island. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Professional Employees Union, Local 2012, an investigation was begun into health and comfort complaints at the Rhode Island Department of Education facility (SIC- 8211), Providence, Rhode Island. Friable asbestos (1332214) exposures were also a concern. Water damaged ceiling tiles and carpeting, missing and broken stair treads, pest infestations, mold growth, and potential fire hazards were noted during a walk through survey. Broken or improperly installed air c... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Professional Employees Union, Local 2012, an investigation was begun into health and comfort complaints at the Rhode Island Department of Education facility (SIC- 8211), Providence, Rhode Island. Friable asbestos (1332214) exposures were also a concern. Water damaged ceiling tiles and carpeting, missing and broken stair treads, pest infestations, mold growth, and potential fire hazards were noted during a walk through survey. Broken or improperly installed air conditioners failed to adequately maintain comfortable conditions during the summer months. No mechanical means for supplying fresh outside air was present. Carbon-dioxide (124389) levels ranged from 500 parts per million (ppm) to 900ppm in occupied areas. Temperature ranged from 73 to 77 degrees-F with relative humidity between 35 and 42%. Of the workers responding to a health questionnaire, 55% suffered from allergies and 59% frequently experienced both headache and fatigue. Bulk insulation samples from pipe lagging and the furnace surface contained 30 to 50% chrysotile (12001295) asbestos. Two of five air samples in the furnace room indicated the presence of airborne asbestos. Paint chip samples from the furnace room contained 0.44 and 2.19% inorganic lead (7439921). The author concludes that health complaints could not be related to an identifiable environmental contaminant. There were potential exposures to lead and asbestos in basement work areas. The author recommends that specific measures be taken to control lead and asbestos exposures and to remedy other identified conditions.
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