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HHE Search Results
1062 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
(1996) National Western Stock Show, Denver, Colorado. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the City and County of Denver's Occupational Health/Indoor Air Specialist, an investigation was begun into working conditions at the National Western Stock Show (SIC-7999), Denver, Colorado. Workers frequently complained of allergic and flu or cold like symptoms such as runny nose, congestion of the nose, throat and lungs, fever, and eye irritation by the end of the show. Measured levels of respirable and total dust, silica (14808607), and carbon-monoxide (630080) w... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the City and County of Denver's Occupational Health/Indoor Air Specialist, an investigation was begun into working conditions at the National Western Stock Show (SIC-7999), Denver, Colorado. Workers frequently complained of allergic and flu or cold like symptoms such as runny nose, congestion of the nose, throat and lungs, fever, and eye irritation by the end of the show. Measured levels of respirable and total dust, silica (14808607), and carbon-monoxide (630080) were below the recommended criteria levels. Biological activity such as ergosterol, spore count, and endotoxin levels were higher on the first floor of the Hall of Education and in the Stadium Hall, both areas where high numbers of animals were housed. Spore counts and ergosterol levels were consistent with the levels found in other studies where adverse health effects had occurred. Throughout the Hall of Education, the carbon-dioxide (124389) levels were well above the 1,000 parts per million (ppm) level. These levels averaged 2,000ppm and ranged up to 4,300ppm. The need for outside air ventilation throughout the complex was noted. Consistently high readings for carbon-dioxide were also observed in the promenade area around the Coliseum. The authors suggest that the ventilation system in the Event Center be adjusted to introduce outside air for dilution prior to a certain preset time.
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(1996) New Hampshire Ball Bearing, Astro Division, Laconia, New Hampshire. (Click to open report) In response to a request from management at the New Hampshire Ball Bearing, Astro Division (SIC-3562) located in Laconia, New Hampshire, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at that site. Approximately 450 people worked at the facility, eight of whom worked in the Composites Department, which was the area being evaluated. Five bulk dust samples were obtained from locations in the Composites Department. Sampling indicated that the employees in the Composites Depar... (Click to show more)In response to a request from management at the New Hampshire Ball Bearing, Astro Division (SIC-3562) located in Laconia, New Hampshire, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at that site. Approximately 450 people worked at the facility, eight of whom worked in the Composites Department, which was the area being evaluated. Five bulk dust samples were obtained from locations in the Composites Department. Sampling indicated that the employees in the Composites Department were exposed to very low concentrations of total airborne fibers. Fiber dimensions exceeded the limit of respirability, and did not present an inhalation hazard. Transient skin itch reported by some workers was associated with the handling of carbon fiber reinforcement material prior to impregnation. The investigators suggest that composite dust generated by mechanical processes such as cutting and sanding, may contribute to itching as a result of dust coming in contact with exposed skin. It was recommended that gloves and protective clothing be used and selected based on the permeation and degradation resistance to materials used by the workers, that once resin gets on the skin the workers should immediately remove it using soap and water, that protective coveralls and sleeve protectors be used, that local exhaust ventilation systems be reevaluated, that good housekeeping practices be emphasized, and that all machinery be guarded effectively.
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(1996) Philadelphia School District, Franklin Learning Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, an investigation was begun into possible exposure to lead (7439921) at the Franklin Learning Center (SIC-8211), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The building was about 85 years old. There were about 90 employees; blood lead tests and hand wipe sampling were performed on 45. Water sampling showed lead concentrations less than the 3 parts per billion (ppb). Surface wipe samples were collected from floors, desks, and window sills. Wi... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, an investigation was begun into possible exposure to lead (7439921) at the Franklin Learning Center (SIC-8211), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The building was about 85 years old. There were about 90 employees; blood lead tests and hand wipe sampling were performed on 45. Water sampling showed lead concentrations less than the 3 parts per billion (ppb). Surface wipe samples were collected from floors, desks, and window sills. Window sills in nonabated and abated areas were sampled. Dust lead loadings exceeded HUD guidelines on 26% of all window sills sampled. Floors in nonabated and abated areas were also sampled with HUD guidelines for lead on floors being exceeded in 17 of the nonabated and three of the abated areas. Dust lead loading on desktops ranged up to 230 micrograms/square foot. Wipe samples from hands of employees contained from 2 to 160 micrograms lead. All blood lead levels were low, ranging from 0.6 to 5.6 micrograms per deciliter. While severe peeling of lead based paint was found and significant dust lead loadings were present, the authors conclude that a hazard from lead exposure was not found at the school for the staff.
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(1996) Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana. (Click to open report) In response to a request from a group of Pathology Lab employees at the Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center (SIC-8071), Indianapolis, Indiana an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions. Workers reported symptoms of eye and upper respiratory irritation. The staff in the Pathology Laboratory included medical technologists and technicians working 8 hours a day performing routine tests. Even though the airborne respirable particulate concentrations were low, s... (Click to show more)In response to a request from a group of Pathology Lab employees at the Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center (SIC-8071), Indianapolis, Indiana an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions. Workers reported symptoms of eye and upper respiratory irritation. The staff in the Pathology Laboratory included medical technologists and technicians working 8 hours a day performing routine tests. Even though the airborne respirable particulate concentrations were low, settled particulates were noted throughout the laboratory which could contribute to worker health complaints of eye and upper respiratory irritation. Carbon-dioxide (124389) concentrations were below the 800 parts per million guideline for indoor air. Temperature and relative humidity levels were not within the comfort guidelines for optical and acceptable ranges for occupants of buildings. Air velocities were nearly five times hood face velocity, which may cause a pressure difference, allowing contaminants to escape. The author concludes that settled particulates could contribute to eye and respiratory irritation, and that ventilation deficiencies caused thermal comfort problems. The author recommends that excess particulates be reduced by improving housekeeping practices, and thermal comfort problems be resolved by modifying supply air diffusers and adjusting the relative humidity.
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(1996) Spence's Carstar, Denver, Colorado. (Click to open report) In response to a request from Spence's Carstar (SIC-7531), Denver, Colorado, an investigation was begun into exposure of workers to solvents, total dusts, noise, carbon-monoxide (630080) and metals. The automobile repair work at this facility included frame straightening, axle repair/replacement, body filling, painting and detailing. Paint spraying was conducted in a paint spray booth. Paints were mixed and stored on site. Personal breathing zone and area airborne concentrations of isocyanate mo... (Click to show more)In response to a request from Spence's Carstar (SIC-7531), Denver, Colorado, an investigation was begun into exposure of workers to solvents, total dusts, noise, carbon-monoxide (630080) and metals. The automobile repair work at this facility included frame straightening, axle repair/replacement, body filling, painting and detailing. Paint spraying was conducted in a paint spray booth. Paints were mixed and stored on site. Personal breathing zone and area airborne concentrations of isocyanate monomer and oligomer, various solvents, total dust, carbon-monoxide and noise levels were monitored. All but one of the monomer samples were below the limit of detection of 2 micrograms/sample. Air samples for solvents did not exceed the limits, nor did the mixture summation exceed any criteria. Area total dust samples ranged from 1.3 to 3mg/m3. All were below acceptable limits. The peak carbon-monoxide concentration was 173 parts per million (ppm), and the highest 15 minute average was 80ppm. The time weighted average noise level in the body repair area was 86 decibels-A (dBA). The maximum peak level was 132dBA. The author concludes that there was a potential health hazard from noise exposure and from exposure to peak carbon- monoxide concentrations during the cold weather months. Recommendations were made to reduce these exposures.
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(1996) Standard Industries, San Antonio, Texas. (Click to open report) In response to a request from Standard Industries (SIC-3691), San Antonio, Texas, an investigation was conducted to determine if improved engineering controls reduced employee lead (7439921) exposures. Standard Industries manufactured lead acid batteries in a 300,000 square foot facility. Approximately 150 persons were employed on site. The process was typical of such industries but the facility was not highly automated as the batteries produced were often of unique sizes. Personal breathing zon... (Click to show more)In response to a request from Standard Industries (SIC-3691), San Antonio, Texas, an investigation was conducted to determine if improved engineering controls reduced employee lead (7439921) exposures. Standard Industries manufactured lead acid batteries in a 300,000 square foot facility. Approximately 150 persons were employed on site. The process was typical of such industries but the facility was not highly automated as the batteries produced were often of unique sizes. Personal breathing zone samples collected in various locations throughout the facility exceeded the OSHA 50 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) criterion. The highest personal breathing zone exposures were found in the plate pasting operations, ranging from 68 to 495microg/m3. In the first assembly and pouching areas, exposures ranged from 15 to 418microg/m3 and from 31 to 77microg/m3, respectively. Lead was consistently found in wipe samples from cafeteria table tops. Hand wipe samples showed significantly increased amounts of lead from employees finishing lunch compared to wipes prior to entering the lunchroom. A consistent daily increase in saliva lead was monitored. The authors conclude that lead exposures exceeded the OSHA limit, even though engineering controls were appropriate. Work practices and housekeeping issues were identified which may have contributed to overexposures. Modifications to some engineering controls were suggested.
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(1996) Standard Steel, Burnham, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a request from current employees of Standard Steel (SIC-3296) located in Burnham, Pennsylvania, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at that site. Workers were concerned about exposures to alumino-silicate fiber insulation which lined the interior of the industrial furnaces. A total of 16 time weighted average personal breathing zone and work area samples were collected and analyzed for total and respirable particulates. Respirable quartz (14808607... (Click to show more)In response to a request from current employees of Standard Steel (SIC-3296) located in Burnham, Pennsylvania, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at that site. Workers were concerned about exposures to alumino-silicate fiber insulation which lined the interior of the industrial furnaces. A total of 16 time weighted average personal breathing zone and work area samples were collected and analyzed for total and respirable particulates. Respirable quartz (14808607) was detected in one refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) removal sample, below the minimum quantifiable concentration. No cristobalite was detected in any of the samples. The ten time weighted average area total particulate samples from Heat Treatment Plant Number One and RCF removal operations ranged from 0.10 to 0.52mg/m3. No quartz or cristobalite was detected in any of these samples. It was recommended that workers handling RCF should wear specific levels of respiratory protection and that company officials should monitor RCF concentrations regularly to characterize the task specific exposures to RCF. Such information will assist the company in determining the appropriate level of respiratory protection for specific tasks.
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(1996) Trus Joist MacMillan, Deerwood, Minnesota. (Click to open report) In response to an employee request, the development of occupational asthma secondary to exposure to isocyanates was investigated at Trus Joist MacMillan (SIC-2493), Deerwood, Minnesota. The facility employed about 70 workers in the production of parallel strand lumber. Environmental and medical surveys were conducted before and after the institution of major changes in facility ventilation. Monomeric 4,4'-methylenediphenyl-diisocyanate (101688) concentrations in excess of the NIOSH Recommended E... (Click to show more)In response to an employee request, the development of occupational asthma secondary to exposure to isocyanates was investigated at Trus Joist MacMillan (SIC-2493), Deerwood, Minnesota. The facility employed about 70 workers in the production of parallel strand lumber. Environmental and medical surveys were conducted before and after the institution of major changes in facility ventilation. Monomeric 4,4'-methylenediphenyl-diisocyanate (101688) concentrations in excess of the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Level (REL) of 50 micrograms/cubic meter were identified in two area air samples. Wood dust concentrations exceeded the REL of 1mg/m3 in three areas as well. Respiratory illness meeting the NIOSH case definition of occupational asthma was identified in 18 employees. Half of these cases developed after the institution of the ventilation changes. The authors conclude that a health hazard existed from exposure to isocyanates. The authors recommend that industrial hygiene practices be used to eliminate the hazards, and that a medical monitoring program be instituted.
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(1996) University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska. (Click to open report) In response to a request for technical assistance from the University of Nebraska Medical Center of Omaha, Nebraska, farm worker exposures during the handling of grain sorghum were investigated at four farms (SIC-0119) in southeastern Nebraska. Levels of respirable dust, total dust, endotoxins, histamine, and viable microorganisms were determined. Personal air samples and bulk samples were analyzed for fungi, endotoxins, and histamine. Total grain dust exceeded the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Lim... (Click to show more)In response to a request for technical assistance from the University of Nebraska Medical Center of Omaha, Nebraska, farm worker exposures during the handling of grain sorghum were investigated at four farms (SIC-0119) in southeastern Nebraska. Levels of respirable dust, total dust, endotoxins, histamine, and viable microorganisms were determined. Personal air samples and bulk samples were analyzed for fungi, endotoxins, and histamine. Total grain dust exceeded the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit of 4mg/m3 in six areas during harvest. High air levels of endotoxin were identified as well. Although worker overexposure to grain dust was not identified in the grain storage areas of the farms, the potential for overexposure existed and one worker had an exposure level which exceeded the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit. The authors conclude that a potential for worker overexposure to grain dusts existed. The authors recommend that efforts be made to control workplace exposure and respiratory health problems during the production of grain sorghum.
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(1996) Unocal Corporation, Kenai, Alaska. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers International Union, an investigation was begun into possible health hazards associated with the use of a formaldehyde based additive at Unocal Corporation (SIC-2873), Kenai, Alaska. The company manufactured urea fertilizers at this site, producing about 1 million tons of urea and 1 million tons of ammonia per year. Environmental samples were collected to analyze for ammonia, total and respirable dust, formaldehyde (50000) vapor... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers International Union, an investigation was begun into possible health hazards associated with the use of a formaldehyde based additive at Unocal Corporation (SIC-2873), Kenai, Alaska. The company manufactured urea fertilizers at this site, producing about 1 million tons of urea and 1 million tons of ammonia per year. Environmental samples were collected to analyze for ammonia, total and respirable dust, formaldehyde (50000) vapors and formaldehyde on inhalable particulates during manufacturing operations. Formaldehyde concentrations in the air ranged from less than 0.006 to 2.2 parts per million (ppm). The highest concentrations were noted in the process of unloading a tanker which contained a formaldehyde based additive. At times, the formaldehyde levels as well as inhalable and total dust concentrations exceeded relevant limits. At times ammonia (7664417) concentrations also exceeded regulatory limits. Throat irritation was reported by 47% of the 21 employees interviewed. Nose irritation was noted by 43%, runny nose by 43%, and eye irritation by 33%. The authors conclude that workers were potentially exposed to formaldehyde and ammonia. The authors recommend that the exposures be reduced to more acceptable levels.
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