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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
(1982) Phillips Petroleum Company Refinery, Woods Cross, Utah. (Click to open report) A study was requested by the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union at Phillips Petroleum Company Refinery (SIC- 2911), at Woods Cross, Utah. Possible correlation between aplastic anemia, exposure to hydrogen-fluoride (7664393) (HF), and suspected cancer deaths was investigated. Air samples were analyzed for organic vapors, lead (7439921), and HF. Blood counts, blood lead and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) concentrations, and pulmonary function were measured. One benzene (71... (Click to show more)A study was requested by the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union at Phillips Petroleum Company Refinery (SIC- 2911), at Woods Cross, Utah. Possible correlation between aplastic anemia, exposure to hydrogen-fluoride (7664393) (HF), and suspected cancer deaths was investigated. Air samples were analyzed for organic vapors, lead (7439921), and HF. Blood counts, blood lead and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) concentrations, and pulmonary function were measured. One benzene (71432) sample (8.8 milligrams per cubic meter) (mg/m3) exceeded the NIOSH 3.2mg/m3 criterion. Samples of toluene (108883), lead, and xylene (1330207) were below NIOSH recommended exposures: 375mg/m3, 0.05mg/m3, and 435mg/m3, respectively. Only one HF sample approached the 2.5mg/m3 NIOSH evaluation criterion. Five workers reported symtoms suggesting overexposure to organic solvents; five reported breathing problems. No longterm effects on pulmonary function from HF exposure were confirmed; no clinically significant blood abnormalities except one case of aplastic anemia. Blood lead and FEP concentrations were within normal range. Data did not warrant further study of increased cancer incidence. The authors conclude that exposure hazards from various petroleum products exist (laboratory and gas loading dock). There are no lasting ill effects from HF exposure. Respiratory protection practices are recommended.
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(1982) Placer County Distributors, Tahoe City, California. (Click to open report) Work exposures to vinyl type silk screened inks were investigated in April and June, 1981 at Placer County Distributors (SIC-2751) in Tahoe City, California. Evaluation was requested by a company representative from an unspecified number of workers. Personal and area air, and bulk ink samples were analyzed for vinyl-chloride (75014), hydrogen-chloride (7647010), phthalates, solvents, formaldehyde (50000), lead (7439921), and chromium (7440473). Employees completed medical questionnaires. Measure... (Click to show more)Work exposures to vinyl type silk screened inks were investigated in April and June, 1981 at Placer County Distributors (SIC-2751) in Tahoe City, California. Evaluation was requested by a company representative from an unspecified number of workers. Personal and area air, and bulk ink samples were analyzed for vinyl-chloride (75014), hydrogen-chloride (7647010), phthalates, solvents, formaldehyde (50000), lead (7439921), and chromium (7440473). Employees completed medical questionnaires. Measureable amounts of formaldehyde and benzene (71432) represented potential hazards: both chemicals are potential carcinogens. NIOSH recommends exposures be kept at the lowest feasible limit. Concentrations of other agents were well below accepted criteria. Workplace ventilation was adequate. Workers did not report any work related medical symptoms, but did report cough, chest tightness, sore throat, eye and nose irritation, and headache associated with a previous company location. The author concludes that chemical exposure hazards do not exist at this company, however a hazard probably did exist at the previous work location. He recommends engineering and work place improvements if workers symptoms reoccur or if production rate increases.
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(1982) Public Services Company of Colorado, Pueblo, Colorado. (Click to open report) Local 111 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers requested an evaluation of fly-ash, silica, and arsenic exposures to workers who repair electrostatic precipitators at the Public Service Company of Colorado (SIC-4911), Pueblo, Colorado. On July 18 and 19, 1981, all eight workers were monitored for crystalline silica, total dust particulates, arsenic (7440382), lead (7439921), selenium (7782492), and cadmium (7440439). Most respirable and total particulate breathing zone air sampl... (Click to show more)Local 111 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers requested an evaluation of fly-ash, silica, and arsenic exposures to workers who repair electrostatic precipitators at the Public Service Company of Colorado (SIC-4911), Pueblo, Colorado. On July 18 and 19, 1981, all eight workers were monitored for crystalline silica, total dust particulates, arsenic (7440382), lead (7439921), selenium (7782492), and cadmium (7440439). Most respirable and total particulate breathing zone air samples exceeded the OSHA standards of 10 milligrams per cubic meter (millig/m3). Arsenic concentrations peaked at 0.01millig/m3, above the evaluation criteria of 0.002millig/m3. One sample for silica exceeded the evaluation criteria of 0.05 milligrams per cubic meter. Three workers reported they had skin problems due to fly-ash. One worker had a significant loss of pulmonary function. The authors conclude that a potential health hazard exists from over exposure to particulates, arsenic, and crystalline silica. The exposure to fly- ash during cleanout does not appear to have resulted in pulmonary disease. They recommend shower facilities, a respiratory program, shaving so that respirators will fit properly, and yearly physical examinations.
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(1982) Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco, California. (Click to open report) Exposures to dust and irritants were investigated on August 12 to 14, 1982 at Embarcadero Subway Center of the Public Utilities Commission (SIC-4111), San Francisco, California. Evaluation was requested by the General Manager of San Francisco's Public Utilities Commission for about 200 light rail vehicle workers, after several workers complained of periodic dust irritations. Personal and area air samples were analyzed for total dust, particulates, and exhaust fumes. Temperature and humidity were... (Click to show more)Exposures to dust and irritants were investigated on August 12 to 14, 1982 at Embarcadero Subway Center of the Public Utilities Commission (SIC-4111), San Francisco, California. Evaluation was requested by the General Manager of San Francisco's Public Utilities Commission for about 200 light rail vehicle workers, after several workers complained of periodic dust irritations. Personal and area air samples were analyzed for total dust, particulates, and exhaust fumes. Temperature and humidity were also measured. Concentrations of total dust, asbestos (1332214), ozone (10028156), nitrogen- dioxide (10102440), nitrogen-oxide (10024972), carbon-monoxide (124389), iron-oxide (1309371), copper (7440508), lead (7439921), vanadium (7440622), cadmium (7440439), calcium (7440702), and formaldehyde (50000), were all below respective recommended NIOSH or California-OSHA standards of 10 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3), 25ppm, 200ppm, 1mg/m3, 0.05mg/m3, 0.05mg/m3, 0.04mg/m3, 2mg/m3, and lowest feasible limit. Dry and wet bulb temperature were 76 and 63 degrees-F, respectively; relative humidity was 49 percent. The author concludes that no exposure hazards exist. He recommends improved workplace design and hygiene, and increased ventilation.
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(1982) Raybestos Friction Materials Company, Crawfordsville, Indiana. (Click to open report) Employee exposure to lead (7439921) and asbestos (1332214) at Raybestos Friction Materials Company (SIC-3714), Crawfordsville, Indiana was investigated. The study was confidentially requested and was performed on March 11 to 13, 1981. The facility employed about 430 hourly workers including 93 in the brake block area. Personal airborne sampling was conducted to evaluate exposure to formaldehyde (50000), asbestos, lead, tin (7440315), barium (7440393), and zinc (7440666). Medical interviews were ... (Click to show more)Employee exposure to lead (7439921) and asbestos (1332214) at Raybestos Friction Materials Company (SIC-3714), Crawfordsville, Indiana was investigated. The study was confidentially requested and was performed on March 11 to 13, 1981. The facility employed about 430 hourly workers including 93 in the brake block area. Personal airborne sampling was conducted to evaluate exposure to formaldehyde (50000), asbestos, lead, tin (7440315), barium (7440393), and zinc (7440666). Medical interviews were performed. Formaldehyde concentrations peaked at 0.82 parts per million. NIOSH considers formaldehyde to be a potential occupational carcinogen and recommends that exposures be maintained at the lowest feasible concentration. Four airborne samples of asbestos were above the NIOSH recommended standard of 0.1 fiber greater than 5.0 microns per cubic centimeter. Medical interviews did not reveal findings that could be attributed to asbestos, lead, or other heavy metal exposure. The authors conclude that a health hazard did exist in the brake block area since airborne concentrations of personal samples of formaldehyde and asbestos exceeded NIOSH criteria. Recommendations are made for increased environmental monitoring of airborne contaminants and for modification of employee work practices.
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(1982) Sherwin Williams Company, Coffeyville, Kansas. (Click to open report) Excess kidney and prostate problems and hypertension at the Sherwin Williams Company (SIC-2816), Coffeyville, Kansas were investigated in August, 1981 and in February and April, 1982. The survey was requested by the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers International Union. In 1976, NIOSH had found an excess of hypertension and abnormal serum creatinine concentrations. Personal air samples collected in the oxide bagging operation greatly exceeded the OSHA recommended standards for barium (7440393) (... (Click to show more)Excess kidney and prostate problems and hypertension at the Sherwin Williams Company (SIC-2816), Coffeyville, Kansas were investigated in August, 1981 and in February and April, 1982. The survey was requested by the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers International Union. In 1976, NIOSH had found an excess of hypertension and abnormal serum creatinine concentrations. Personal air samples collected in the oxide bagging operation greatly exceeded the OSHA recommended standards for barium (7440393) (standard of 0.5 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3)), lead (7439921) (standard of 50mg/m3 as an 8 hour time weighted average) and zinc (7440666) (standard of 5mg/m3). Comparative samples from the blending area showed 20 percent exceeding lead and zinc standards. Eighty six percent of personal samples for barium exceeded standards in the area for grinding and mixing of barium containing ores. Total dust ranged from 29 to 64mg/m3, exceeding OSHA standards in all three areas; respirable dusts exceeded the standard of 5mg/m3 in one process area. Thirty six percent of hourly workers had high blood pressure. Seven of 94 serum creatinine and 10 blood lead concentrations were abnormal. The authors conclude that workers are being exposed in various process areas to excessive lead, barium, zinc, and dust. They recommend respirators.
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(1982) U.S. Secret Service, Washington, D.C. (Click to open report) The possible health hazards to United States Secret Service officers of exposure to airborne lead (7439921) during the use of an indoor firing range (SIC-922), Washington, D.C., and Beltsville, Maryland were investigated. The Safety Division of the Department of Treasury requested the study which was performed on May 5, 1982. Four shooters at the Beltsville Range were exposed to an 8 hour average (TWA) lead concentration of 38 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3). During a 25 minute period the... (Click to show more)The possible health hazards to United States Secret Service officers of exposure to airborne lead (7439921) during the use of an indoor firing range (SIC-922), Washington, D.C., and Beltsville, Maryland were investigated. The Safety Division of the Department of Treasury requested the study which was performed on May 5, 1982. Four shooters at the Beltsville Range were exposed to an 8 hour average (TWA) lead concentration of 38 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3). During a 25 minute period they were exposed to a mean concentration of 720microg/m3. Two shooters at the Washington range were exposed to concentrations of lead ranging from nondetectable to 18microg/m3. One shooter was exposed to a copper TWA of 33.6microg/m3. The author concludes that a potential hazard from overexposure to lead did exist. However, the officers would rarely shoot on a daily basis, and ventilation design appeared adequate for normal use. Recommendations for limiting the use of lead bullets and improving ventilation are provided.
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(1982) Xomox Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio. (Click to open report) A request from the safety coordinator of the Xomox Corporation (SIC- 3494) Cincinnati, Ohio to determine lead (7439921) exposure in the paint spray booth at the facility was received. The study was conducted on October 14, 1981. The two paint spray operators were exposed to airborne lead in concentrations ranging from 10 to 80 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3) compared to an OSHA standard of 50microg/m3. These employees had blood lead concentrations below 30 micrograms per 100 milliliters (... (Click to show more)A request from the safety coordinator of the Xomox Corporation (SIC- 3494) Cincinnati, Ohio to determine lead (7439921) exposure in the paint spray booth at the facility was received. The study was conducted on October 14, 1981. The two paint spray operators were exposed to airborne lead in concentrations ranging from 10 to 80 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3) compared to an OSHA standard of 50microg/m3. These employees had blood lead concentrations below 30 micrograms per 100 milliliters (microg/100ml) of blood compared to a normal upper limit of 40microg/100ml. Analysis of personal air samples for hexavalent-chromium (7440473) ranged from less than detectable to 0.38microg/m3 compared to an OSHA standard of 100microg/m3. The operators wore NIOSH approved high efficiency air purifying respirators for airborne lead while performing their duties. Neither paint spray operator reported health problems. The author concludes that one operator was exposed to airborne concentrations of inorganic lead above recommended standards. However, blood lead values were within current guidelines for both workers.
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(1981) Alaska Smelting & Refining Company, Wisilla, Alaska. (Click to open report) Environmental air sampling was conducted and medical evaluations performed to determine employee exposures to lead (7439921), silver (7440224), dust, and other contaminants at the Alaska Smelting and Refining Company (SIC-3339) in Wisilla, Alaska on April 28 to May 1, 1981. Management requested the evaluation on behalf of two workers. Four of six 12 hour breathing zone air samples exceeded the NIOSH standard for lead of 50 micrograms per cubic meter and ranged from 5 to 295 micrograms per cubic ... (Click to show more)Environmental air sampling was conducted and medical evaluations performed to determine employee exposures to lead (7439921), silver (7440224), dust, and other contaminants at the Alaska Smelting and Refining Company (SIC-3339) in Wisilla, Alaska on April 28 to May 1, 1981. Management requested the evaluation on behalf of two workers. Four of six 12 hour breathing zone air samples exceeded the NIOSH standard for lead of 50 micrograms per cubic meter and ranged from 5 to 295 micrograms per cubic meter. Five of seven 12 hour breathing zone samples and one 2 hour sample exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists standard for silver of 10 micrograms per cubic meter. All iron-oxide fume, nitric-acid (7697372), nitrogen-dioxide (10102440), sulfur-dioxide (7446095), and sulfuric-acid (7664939) concentrations were substantially below the applicable evaluation criteria. Blood lead and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin results were all within acceptable limits. The author concludes that a health hazard due to lead and silver existed at this facility. He recommends the use of local ventilation systems, use of respirators, appropriate cleanup procedures, and medical monitoring of exposed workers.
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(1981) American Standard, Inc., Louisville, Kentucky. (Click to open report) Personal and environmental air samples were analyzed for metal fumes, respirable dust and silica (7631869), carbon-monoxide (630080), and environmental temperatures were measured at American Standard, Incorporated (SIC-3479) in Louisville, Kentucky on July 14 to 16 and September 22 to 24, 1980. In addition, medical questionnaires were administered and blood lead (7439921) concentrations were analyzed. The potential threat of Legionnaires Disease was also stressed. An authorized employee represen... (Click to show more)Personal and environmental air samples were analyzed for metal fumes, respirable dust and silica (7631869), carbon-monoxide (630080), and environmental temperatures were measured at American Standard, Incorporated (SIC-3479) in Louisville, Kentucky on July 14 to 16 and September 22 to 24, 1980. In addition, medical questionnaires were administered and blood lead (7439921) concentrations were analyzed. The potential threat of Legionnaires Disease was also stressed. An authorized employee representative requested the evaluation of behalf of an unspecified number of workers. Atmospheric lead concentrations ranged from 26 to 162 micrograms per cubic meter, compared with the NIOSH recommended standard of 50 micrograms per cubic meter as an eight hour time weighted average. Carbon-monoxide and silica concentrations were not found in toxic concentrations. Heat stress measurements with a wet bulb globe thermometer (WBGT) ranged from 86 degrees F to 102 degrees F WBGT. The NIOSH recommended criteria for occupational exposure to hot environments requires that certain work practices be initiated when the exposure is continuous for one hour and the time weighted average WBGT exceeds 79 degrees F for men or 76 degrees F for women. The clinical presentation of employee symptoms was not typical of Legionellosis. Eight enamelers had blood lead concentrations greater than 39 micrograms per milliliter. The 116 other employees all had blood lead concentrations below 40 micrograms per milliliter, considered the upper limit of normal. The authors conclude that the principle cause of employee symptoms was the extremely hot working environment, and that elevated atmospheric lead concentrations, contributed to increasing blood lead in some enamelers. They recommend several measures to reduce heat stress, a reduction of dust concentrations, implementation of good housekeeping, and medical monitoring of affected workers.
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