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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
(1988) C F and I Steel Corporation, Pueblo, Colorado. (Click to open report) In response to a request from management, a study was made of possible hazardous working conditions at C-F-and-I Steel Company (SIC-3313), Pueblo, Colorado. The company produced steel in electric arc furnaces. Workers in the vicinity of the electric arc furnace had complained of bad odors and tastes, and respiratory irritation. Breathing zone and general room air samples were tested for sulfur-dioxide (7446095), arsenic (7440382), cadmium (7440439), lead (7439921), total particulate, and crystal... (Click to show more)In response to a request from management, a study was made of possible hazardous working conditions at C-F-and-I Steel Company (SIC-3313), Pueblo, Colorado. The company produced steel in electric arc furnaces. Workers in the vicinity of the electric arc furnace had complained of bad odors and tastes, and respiratory irritation. Breathing zone and general room air samples were tested for sulfur-dioxide (7446095), arsenic (7440382), cadmium (7440439), lead (7439921), total particulate, and crystalline silica (quartz (14808607) and cristobalite (14464461)). Seven general area sample measurements ranged from 0.2 to 1.7mg/m3 for sulfur-dioxide. One breathing zone sample registered 0.78mg/m3. Arsenic was found in one sample at a level of 0.02mg/m3. Cadmium was found in one of 11 samples at 0.006mg/m3. Lead was present in all 11 samples ranging from 0.004 to 0.3mg/m3. Total dust measurements were 14 and 12mg/m3. Respirable dust samples contained 1.5 and 1.4mg/m3 respirable dust; free silica samples were 0.5 and 0.2mg/m3 (quartz). The author concludes that a potential health hazard existed from exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead, and crystalline silica. The author recommends that specific improvements be made in respiratory protection, and that workers be notified when sulfur compounds are being added to the steel.
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(1988) Camp Bird Ventures, Ouray, Colorado. (Click to open report) In response to a request from Camp Bird Ventures (SIC-1041), Ouray, Colorado, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions with particular attention given to lead (7439921) exposures. Camp Bird Ventures was engaged in underground mining for gold and silver; fire assays were performed on ore samples. Two employees had been found to have excessive blood lead levels. Personal protective equipment worn by employees engaged in fire assay work in the furnace and storage rooms includ... (Click to show more)In response to a request from Camp Bird Ventures (SIC-1041), Ouray, Colorado, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions with particular attention given to lead (7439921) exposures. Camp Bird Ventures was engaged in underground mining for gold and silver; fire assays were performed on ore samples. Two employees had been found to have excessive blood lead levels. Personal protective equipment worn by employees engaged in fire assay work in the furnace and storage rooms included disposable full body suits, boot covers, and half face respirators. One worker had a full beard, which would interfere with the respirator seal and another had a torn protective suit, which would allow entry of lead dust. Time weighted average (8 hour) lead concentrations in personal air samples were 113 and 40 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3) for the assayer and scale operator, respectively. The OSHA permissible exposure limit for lead was 50microg/m3 as an 8 hour time weighted average. Area air concentrations of lead were 100microg/m3 in the furnace room, 58microg/m3 in the storage room, and 46microg/m3 in the office. The author concludes that a potential health hazard existed from employee exposure to lead in the fire assay operations. The author makes recommendations concerning air monitoring, mechanical ventilation, respiratory protection, personal protective clothing hygiene facilities and practices, housekeeping, and medical monitoring.
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(1988) Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Transportation, Manchester, Kentucky. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the employees in the traffic division, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Transportation (SIC- 1721), Manchester, Kentucky. Specific attention was addressed to toluene (108883) and lead (7439921) exposures during the painting of lines on roads. Because the paint used must be diluted with toluene before use, a high potential for exposure to lead and toluene exists during the mixing process. Ai... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the employees in the traffic division, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Transportation (SIC- 1721), Manchester, Kentucky. Specific attention was addressed to toluene (108883) and lead (7439921) exposures during the painting of lines on roads. Because the paint used must be diluted with toluene before use, a high potential for exposure to lead and toluene exists during the mixing process. Air quality measurements were taken at work sites during October and again during August of 1986 and 1987. Blood and urine tests were also conducted. In October the airborne levels of toluene ranged from 12 to 114mg/m3 and lead levels ranged from nondetectable to 30 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3). An increase was noted in urinary output of hippuric-acid but none of the postshift levels were indicative of overexposure to toluene during the working period. In August one worker showed a toluene air sample which exceeded recommended limits, but none of the other samples were excessive for toluene, and the lead readings were all nondetectable. All urine and blood samples showed no overexposures of any kind. The authors conclude that excessive exposures to toluene or lead were not found among road painting operations workers; however, a potential for exposure existed. The authors recommend measures to reduce exposures to toluene and lead, including changing to paint with a higher toluene content, instituting an employee education program, labeling chemicals properly, improving personal hygiene and work practices, and using protective clothing.
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(1988) Klotz Brothers, Incorporated, Staunton, Virginia. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, an evaluation was made of possible lead (7439921) exposure at Klotz Brothers, Incorporated (SIC-5093), Staunton, Virginia. This was a scrap metal and hide tanning facility. During an on/site visit, personal exposures to airborne lead were determined to be below the limit of detection of 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3) of air. Area samples indicated exposure levels below 2.0microg/m3. Five surface wipe ... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, an evaluation was made of possible lead (7439921) exposure at Klotz Brothers, Incorporated (SIC-5093), Staunton, Virginia. This was a scrap metal and hide tanning facility. During an on/site visit, personal exposures to airborne lead were determined to be below the limit of detection of 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3) of air. Area samples indicated exposure levels below 2.0microg/m3. Five surface wipe samples taken contained detectable levels of lead. Soil samples had been found to contain lead concentrations ranging from 101 to 39,600 parts per million (ppm). Analysis of blood samples from the six workers indicated lead concentrations ranging from 4 to 33 micrograms per deciliter (microg/dl) of blood. Zinc protoporphyrin levels ranged from 15 to 78microg/dl. The authors conclude that workers were not exposed to high concentrations of lead at the time of the survey, although there is a potential for exposure from contaminated soil and dust. The authors recommend that contaminated soil in the courtyard be removed to a hazardous waste site. In the meantime, measures should be taken to control dust. No eating or drinking should be allowed in the warehouse or courtyard.
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(1988) SAS Circuits, Inc., Littleton, Colorado. (Click to open report) In response to a request from management at SAS Circuits, Inc. (SIC- 3679), an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Littleton, Colorado site. Concern was voiced over the work conditions in the wet processing area, laboratory, lay up, deburring, silk screening, and plate cleaning departments during the production of printed circuit boards. Personal and area samples were collected and analyses performed for Freon-TF (76131), acetone (67641), methyl-isobutyl-ketone (1... (Click to show more)In response to a request from management at SAS Circuits, Inc. (SIC- 3679), an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Littleton, Colorado site. Concern was voiced over the work conditions in the wet processing area, laboratory, lay up, deburring, silk screening, and plate cleaning departments during the production of printed circuit boards. Personal and area samples were collected and analyses performed for Freon-TF (76131), acetone (67641), methyl-isobutyl-ketone (108101), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556), and butyl-cellosolve (111762); results indicated no hazardous levels existed. Additional breathing zone and area samples were collected for chromium (7440473), copper (7440508), nickel (7440020), and lead (7439921). Copper alone was detected, ranging from 0.001 to 0.23mg/m3. No cyanide was detected in air samples. The author concludes that a hazard did not exist at the time of the survey. The author recommends that employees be educated regarding the toxicology of all chemicals they deal with, that eye wash stations be installed in the plating and etching departments, that the large water hose in the plating department be replaced with several shorter hoses that can be better stored when not in use, that a storage area be designed for all acids and other chemicals used in the plating processes, and that a chemical hood with exhaust fans be installed in the laboratory.
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(1988) St. Francis-St. George Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a concern regarding lead (7439921) exposure among health care workers using lead containing steam sterilization indicators, an evaluation was made of exposures at the St. Francis- St. George Hospital (SIC-8062), Cincinnati, Ohio. Steam sterilization indicators used at the hospital (Surgicot indicator strips and tape and Tomac test records) contained appreciable amounts of lead which might be released by contact or during sterilization procedures. Personal breathing zone, area air,... (Click to show more)In response to a concern regarding lead (7439921) exposure among health care workers using lead containing steam sterilization indicators, an evaluation was made of exposures at the St. Francis- St. George Hospital (SIC-8062), Cincinnati, Ohio. Steam sterilization indicators used at the hospital (Surgicot indicator strips and tape and Tomac test records) contained appreciable amounts of lead which might be released by contact or during sterilization procedures. Personal breathing zone, area air, and surface wipe samples were taken and analyzed for lead content. No lead was detected in ten personal and general area air samples at a limit of 1.6 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3), well below the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (50microg/m3). Only one of 29 wipe samples from surfaces directly or indirectly contacted by indicators (including four from workers' fingers) was positive for lead. There was no evidence of elevated body burdens of lead in blood samples from nine technicians analyzed for lead and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin. The author concludes that, if the same lead containing indicators are continued in use, no corrective action is needed. If other lead containing steam sterilization indicators are put into service, testing should be done to determine if they pose a lead hazard to workers using them.
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(1988) United States Air Force Reserve, Portland, Oregon. (Click for full summary) In response to a request from the United States Air Force Reserve, 939 ARRG, Portland, Oregon, a study was made of possible hazardous working conditions in a lead (7439921) acid battery shop. The smell of sulfuric-acid (7664939) was noticeable on entering the shop. As many as ten lead acid batteries were serviced and charged in the shop on a daily basis. The shop had a ventilation supply duct located directly above the battery charging units. The employee working in the shop was provided with a ... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the United States Air Force Reserve, 939 ARRG, Portland, Oregon, a study was made of possible hazardous working conditions in a lead (7439921) acid battery shop. The smell of sulfuric-acid (7664939) was noticeable on entering the shop. As many as ten lead acid batteries were serviced and charged in the shop on a daily basis. The shop had a ventilation supply duct located directly above the battery charging units. The employee working in the shop was provided with a rubber apron, gloves, and safety goggles. Personal air samples were collected near the breathing zone of the battery charger operator. Area air samples were collected at different locations in the battery charging area. Sampling indicated levels of sulfuric-acid which were far below the environmental criteria at the time of this survey. Even though the design of the ventilation system was such that it caused the contaminants generated during battery charging to pass directly across the breathing zone, the dilution effect caused the concentration to be reduced below acceptable levels. The author concludes that no health hazard existed, but continued attention should be directed toward the safe work practices in the battery shop.
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Contact us to obtain a copy of report HETA-88-255-0000.
(1987) Artistic Awards, Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Click to open report) In response to a request from Artistic Awards Co. (SIC-3499), Colorado Springs, Colorado, a study was made of possible exposure to lead (7439921) during lead medallion production. An elevated blood lead level had been found in one worker with symptoms of weakness and fatigue. Personal breathing zone air samples obtained from the areas of casting and engraving showed levels of 7.3 to 8.0 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3). Samples collected during grinding and buffing of lead medallions indicated... (Click to show more)In response to a request from Artistic Awards Co. (SIC-3499), Colorado Springs, Colorado, a study was made of possible exposure to lead (7439921) during lead medallion production. An elevated blood lead level had been found in one worker with symptoms of weakness and fatigue. Personal breathing zone air samples obtained from the areas of casting and engraving showed levels of 7.3 to 8.0 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3). Samples collected during grinding and buffing of lead medallions indicated lead concentration in the breathing zone of 1300 to 1900microg/m3. Each of four grinding and buffing stations was fitted with a well enclosed ventilation hood. At one station, the ductwork was clogged with buffing wheel material and ducts at the other three stations were disconnected inside the cabinets. Excessive levels of lead in the air resulted from a lack of local exhaust ventilation in this area. Workers in this room wore half face respirators; however, the respirator which was worn by the worker who had the elevated blood lead level failed to pass a fit test. After improvements had been made, the ventilation system was observed to be very effective. Lead exposures during buffing and grinding operations had been reduced to below the limit of detection, 6microg/m3. The author concludes that one worker has been overexposed to lead due to a poorly fitted respirator, and possibly to ingestion of lead deposited on food or drinks.
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(1987) Bondar-Clegg, Lakewood, Colorado, Sparks, Nevada. (Click to open report) In response to requests from management of Bondar-Clegg (SIC-7397) located in Lakewood, Colorado and Sparks, Nevada, evaluations were made of exposure to lead (7439921) in two fire assay laboratories. Breathing zone and general room air concentrations of lead were measured at each facility. All eight samples taken at Lakewood exceeded the evaluation criteria of 0.05mg/m3 with the range being from 0.1 to 0.6mg/m3. Of 14 samples taken at Sparks, nine exceeded the criteria, ranging from 0.01 to 0.4... (Click to show more)In response to requests from management of Bondar-Clegg (SIC-7397) located in Lakewood, Colorado and Sparks, Nevada, evaluations were made of exposure to lead (7439921) in two fire assay laboratories. Breathing zone and general room air concentrations of lead were measured at each facility. All eight samples taken at Lakewood exceeded the evaluation criteria of 0.05mg/m3 with the range being from 0.1 to 0.6mg/m3. Of 14 samples taken at Sparks, nine exceeded the criteria, ranging from 0.01 to 0.49mg/m3. Improvements were needed in the exhaust ventilation systems at each location. Medical evaluations of ten employees at Sparks showed blood lead levels within the OSHA regulatory limits. However, three workers were over 40 micrograms/deciliter, the limit for returning to a job that involves lead exposure. The authors conclude that a health hazard existed from over exposure to lead at these facilities. The authors recommend improvements in the ventilation system and an upgraded respirator program. All workers should be advised of the toxic properties of lead exposure. Workers in the assay department should shower and change clothes and shoes at the end of the day to prevent lead contamination from entering the home. Personal hygiene should be improved. Medical monitoring of workers should continue.
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(1987) Dale Electronics, Incorporated, Norfolk, Nebraska. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the management of Dale Electronics, Incorporated (SIC-3676), Norfolk, Nebraska, an evaluation was made of exposure to butyl-cellosolve (111762), epichlorohydrin (106898), nickel (7440020), chromium (7440473), antimony (7440360), and total particulates for workers in an electronic resistor manufacturing process. No exposure to butyl-cellosolve was detected among liquid coaters and no epichlorohydrin was detected in the process area air samples. No exposure to nickel ... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the management of Dale Electronics, Incorporated (SIC-3676), Norfolk, Nebraska, an evaluation was made of exposure to butyl-cellosolve (111762), epichlorohydrin (106898), nickel (7440020), chromium (7440473), antimony (7440360), and total particulates for workers in an electronic resistor manufacturing process. No exposure to butyl-cellosolve was detected among liquid coaters and no epichlorohydrin was detected in the process area air samples. No exposure to nickel or chromium was detected among mechanical grinding spirallers. One laser spiraller was exposed to 8 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) of nickel and 8microg/m3 chromium. Trace amounts of nickel were noted in the breathing zones of one plating lab worker and one calibrator. Total particulate exposures ranged from 0.1 to 0.9mg/m3. The author concludes that there were no known overexposures to contaminants at this facility. The author recommends that the exhaust ducts and fan be checked to find the cause for decreased mixing room ventilation system performance noted at the time of the study. Mixing room workers should ensure that all materials are handled as closely as possible to the local exhaust hoods. Standard written operation procedures for use of respirators should be developed.
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