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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
(1989) Technical Assistance to the Jamaican Ministry of Health, Kingston, Jamaica. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Principal Medical Officer of the Epidemiology Unit in the Jamaican Ministry of Health, an investigation was made of possible hazardous working conditions existing in numerous backyard battery repair shops (BBRS) located in Kingston. Nineteen of 22 children in Kingston hospitalized due to lead (7439921) poisoning lived at or near a BBRS. The geometric mean of the air lead concentrations in the BBRSs sampled was 21 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3). The highest w... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Principal Medical Officer of the Epidemiology Unit in the Jamaican Ministry of Health, an investigation was made of possible hazardous working conditions existing in numerous backyard battery repair shops (BBRS) located in Kingston. Nineteen of 22 children in Kingston hospitalized due to lead (7439921) poisoning lived at or near a BBRS. The geometric mean of the air lead concentrations in the BBRSs sampled was 21 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3). The highest workplace concentration was 66microg/m3 which exceeded the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 50microg/m3. Soil lead levels were significantly higher at households located at BBRS premises, compared with comparison households. The geometric mean soil lead levels were very high, being 58,884 parts per million, with a range of 16,000 to 400,000ppm. Dust lead levels were higher at exposed households than at comparison households, with 73 percent exceeding 1500 micrograms of lead/square meter of floor (microg/m2), ranging from 190 to 53140microg/m2. In many cases the dust lead content was associated with the number of batteries repaired at the site. Lead was not present in the drinking water samples collected. Blood lead levels were strongly associated with the soil and dust lead levels. The authors conclude that BBRS create a high lead poisoning risk for workers and nearby residents. The authors recommend that establishment of such shops at residential premises should be discouraged. Specific measures for reducing lead exposures are provided.
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(1989) Technical Assistance to the Jamaican Ministry of Health, Kingston, Jamaica. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Principal Medical Officer of the Epidemiology Unit in the Jamaican Ministry of Health, a study was made of lead exposure at three battery manufacturing facilities (SIC- 3691) in Kingston, Jamaica: Tropical Battery with approximately 30 production workers, Apex Battery with 12 workers, and Unistate Battery with five production workers. Each of the three companies was in the process of conducting limited medical screening of their production workers. Full shift pe... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Principal Medical Officer of the Epidemiology Unit in the Jamaican Ministry of Health, a study was made of lead exposure at three battery manufacturing facilities (SIC- 3691) in Kingston, Jamaica: Tropical Battery with approximately 30 production workers, Apex Battery with 12 workers, and Unistate Battery with five production workers. Each of the three companies was in the process of conducting limited medical screening of their production workers. Full shift personal breathing zone air samples for lead ranged from 40 to 5300 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3), from 50 to 3400microg/m3, and from 30 to 190microg/m3 at the three locations, respectively. Operations with the highest lead exposures included the plate separator and battery assembly and they exceeded the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 50microg/m3. Blood samples indicated blood lead levels in seven of 29 employees at Tropical were over the recommended medical removal level of 50 micrograms/deciliter (microg/dl) and that 17 of 29 had levels of 40microg/dl or greater. For the Apex facility the blood lead levels in nine of 12 workers were 60microg/dl or greater. Blood samples from three of four production employees tested at Unistate exceeded 60microg/dl. The authors conclude that a high risk of lead toxicity existed among workers at the battery manufacturers surveyed. The authors recommend that general and local exhaust ventilation should be provided, work practices altered to reduce lead exposure, and respiratory protection programs should be implemented.
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(1989) Technical Assistance to the Jamaican Ministry of Health, Kingston, Jamaica. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Jamaican Ministry of Health, a study was made of possible health hazards existing due to the operation of a secondary lead smelter (SIC-3341) in Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica. Emission controls at the site were upgraded in 1974. A cottage industry of clandestine backyard smelters was also in operation in the area. The survey investigated the health of residents in 58 households in the Red Pond Road community and 21 households in Ebony Vale. Soil (7439921) lead... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Jamaican Ministry of Health, a study was made of possible health hazards existing due to the operation of a secondary lead smelter (SIC-3341) in Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica. Emission controls at the site were upgraded in 1974. A cottage industry of clandestine backyard smelters was also in operation in the area. The survey investigated the health of residents in 58 households in the Red Pond Road community and 21 households in Ebony Vale. Soil (7439921) lead levels in Red Pond exceeded 500 parts per million at 24% of the households tested. Ten paint samples taken from Red Pond homes exceeded 1% lead by weight. The geometric mean blood lead level of those tested in Red Pond was more than twice the level found in those tested in Ebony Vale. Forty four percent of the children under 6 years of age in Red Pond had blood lead levels above 25 micrograms/deciliter. Soil lead contamination was the strongest predictor of blood lead levels among the Red Pond subjects under 12 years of age. Lead smelter work was an important predictor in the older subjects. The authors conclude that the backyard smelters in combination with the secondary smelter caused a high lead poisoning risk for area residents. The authors recommend that residents stop the backyard smelting operations, and that efforts be made to reduce exposure through hazard abatement, education, and establishment of clean play areas for children.
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(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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