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HHE Search Results
1060 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
(1995) Brown Produce Company, Farina, Illinois. (Click to open report) In response to a request for technical assistance from OSHA, an investigation was begun into potential occupational asthma in workers at Brown Produce Company (SIC-2017), Farina, Illinois. The company processed two million eggs a day into pasteurized liquid or frozen egg white, egg yolk, and whole egg. Complaints centered around asthma like symptoms, difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing, and excessive running of the nose. Sampling of the environment revealed ammonia (7664417), carbon-mono... (Click to show more)In response to a request for technical assistance from OSHA, an investigation was begun into potential occupational asthma in workers at Brown Produce Company (SIC-2017), Farina, Illinois. The company processed two million eggs a day into pasteurized liquid or frozen egg white, egg yolk, and whole egg. Complaints centered around asthma like symptoms, difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing, and excessive running of the nose. Sampling of the environment revealed ammonia (7664417), carbon-monoxide (630080), and halogen levels all well below occupational exposure criteria. Egg protein concentrations were above those previously reported in the egg processing industry. High prevalences of respiratory symptoms and airway reactivity among employees of the egg transfer and egg breaking rooms were noted. Among breaking room workers, 58% had chronic cough, 67% had chronic phlegm and 50% had wheezing or whistling noises in the chest. The authors conclude that there was an ongoing respiratory hazard at the company. The authors recommend that the following measures be taken: medical evaluation of symptomatic workers, reassigning workers with asthma related to workplace exposure to egg proteins, and avoidance of egg derived vaccines by those with immunoglobulin-E mediated hypersensitivity to eggs.
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(1995) Cackle Corners, Valliant, Oklahoma. (Click to open report) A request was made for a health hazard evaluation at Cackle Corners (SIC-0251), a chicken farm located in Valliant, Oklahoma. The concern was raised due to the recent addition of 3-Nitro to poultry feed. The active ingredient in the compound was roxarsone (121197). Area air sampling was conducted at three to five different locations in each of the four chicken houses at the site during chicken catching operations. Fourteen bulk samples were also collected and analyzed for arsenic (7440382) and 2... (Click to show more)A request was made for a health hazard evaluation at Cackle Corners (SIC-0251), a chicken farm located in Valliant, Oklahoma. The concern was raised due to the recent addition of 3-Nitro to poultry feed. The active ingredient in the compound was roxarsone (121197). Area air sampling was conducted at three to five different locations in each of the four chicken houses at the site during chicken catching operations. Fourteen bulk samples were also collected and analyzed for arsenic (7440382) and 27 other elements. The bulk samples included litter samples, rafter dust samples, compost samples, and feed samples. The chickens were fed roxarsone free feed for at least 5 days prior to being caught and transported for processing. None of the area air samples revealed any arsenic. The amount of duct collected on the 17 particulate filters ranged from 300 to 530 micrograms. Each of the four litter samples and the rafter sample from house number one contained a trace concentration of arsenic. The author concludes that there was essentially no risk to the health of the chicken handlers due to the addition of organic arsenic as roxarsone to poultry feed. The author recommends that respirators be used to protect poultry workers from other known exposures in chicken houses.
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(1995) George Campbell Painting Company, Groton, Connecticut. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades of America, an investigation was begun into a possible hazard from carry home lead (7439921) containing dust during the removal of paint by George Campbell Painting Company, (SIC-1622), Groton, Connecticut. The company was renovating a two span highway bridge. Work had begun 4 months earlier and was to be finished in 36 months. Blood lead levels of the employees ranged from 2.2 to 16.5 micrograms/deciliter (microg/dl) wi... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades of America, an investigation was begun into a possible hazard from carry home lead (7439921) containing dust during the removal of paint by George Campbell Painting Company, (SIC-1622), Groton, Connecticut. The company was renovating a two span highway bridge. Work had begun 4 months earlier and was to be finished in 36 months. Blood lead levels of the employees ranged from 2.2 to 16.5 micrograms/deciliter (microg/dl) with a mean of 7.2microg/dl. The 13 workers whose jobs took them near the containment structure had blood lead levels much higher than the nine workers whose jobs were less exposed. Those in job categories of blaster/painter, apprentice, and recycling equipment operator had much higher time weighted average exposures than the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 40 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3). In three samples taken for the blaster/painters, the personal breathing zone lead concentration exceeded 1,000microg/m3. Surface lead levels on skin, clothing and personal cars were determined. In each of the 27 cars tested, lead was detected, with the greatest concentrations being on the floor at the driver's feet, suggesting lead was carried on the shoes. The authors conclude that workers who entered areas where abrasive blasting took place were potentially exposed to lead. Workers may carry lead on their skin and clothes into their cars. The authors recommend that personal hygiene practices be used to reduce these exposures.
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(1995) Johnson Brothers Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a management request from Johnson Brothers Company (SIC-1721), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an investigation was begun into possible health hazards at steel plate sandblasting and painting operations. The company employed about 20 workers in the surface preparation and painting of steel plate water tanks at sites throughout the country. Environmental sampling was perform at two sites in Pennsylvania. Workers were noted to be overexposed to crystalline silica (14808607) during tank in... (Click to show more)In response to a management request from Johnson Brothers Company (SIC-1721), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an investigation was begun into possible health hazards at steel plate sandblasting and painting operations. The company employed about 20 workers in the surface preparation and painting of steel plate water tanks at sites throughout the country. Environmental sampling was perform at two sites in Pennsylvania. Workers were noted to be overexposed to crystalline silica (14808607) during tank interior sandblasting and shoveling operations at the Pike County site. Airborne concentrations of respirable silica during blasting exceeded the recommended exposure limit (REL) from NIOSH by a factor of 300 to 540. An abrasive blasting hood with an assigned protection factor (APF) of only 25 was used. During sand shoveling operations the REL was exceeded by a factor of 94 while the respirator with an APF of only 10 was used. Deficiencies were noted in the respiratory protection and hearing conservation programs at the site. Eleven of the 13 employees at these sites participated in the medical evaluation. Three had abnormal spirometry test results, and an obstructive pattern of abnormalities. The authors conclude that a health hazard existed at the time of the survey due to exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The authors recommend that effective respiratory protection, hearing conservation, and medical surveillance programs be implemented, and a less toxic abrasive blasting material be used.
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(1995) Kraft General Foods, Inc., Maxwell House Coffee, Co., Houston, Texas. (Click to open report) In response to a request received from the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, AFL-CIO, Local Union 408, an investigation was begun into worker exposure to coffee dust, methylene-chloride (75092), asbestos (1332214) dust, phosphine (7803512), and vitamin dust at the Kraft General Foods Inc., Maxwell House Coffee Company (SIC-2095) in Houston, Texas. There were about 550 workers employed at the facility in coffee processing and rice processing. A walk through survey was conduc... (Click to show more)In response to a request received from the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, AFL-CIO, Local Union 408, an investigation was begun into worker exposure to coffee dust, methylene-chloride (75092), asbestos (1332214) dust, phosphine (7803512), and vitamin dust at the Kraft General Foods Inc., Maxwell House Coffee Company (SIC-2095) in Houston, Texas. There were about 550 workers employed at the facility in coffee processing and rice processing. A walk through survey was conducted of the instant coffee and rice production areas and industrial hygiene sampling was also conducted. Asbestos had been removed from the building by 1991, and the use of methylene-chloride had been discontinued before 1988. None of the personal breathing zone or area air concentrations of respirable dust collected in the production areas exceeded the allowable limits for nuisance dust. Based on medical department logs, 4.9% of the workers reported respiratory symptoms suggestive of asthma. Two bronchial asthma deaths were reported in the early 1980s. A statistically significant excess of all malignant neoplasms for white males but not for the other three race/sex groups was noted. Lung cancer was the predominant malignant neoplasm reported. Due to a lack of exposure data it was not possible to link a specific causal agent to the excess cancer deaths for white males in the time period studied. The authors recommend specific measures to improve the work environment.
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(1995) LTV Steel Company, Cleveland, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the United Steelworkers of America, Local 1157, an investigation was begun into the potential relationship between skin rashes in workers in the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) area and exposure to a slag conditioning agent at the LTV Steel Company (SIC-3312), Cleveland, Ohio. The company produced flat rolled steel. About 300 workers worked in the BOF area. Seven personal breathing samples and 12 bulk samples of area dust were collected for analysis. Exposures to element... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the United Steelworkers of America, Local 1157, an investigation was begun into the potential relationship between skin rashes in workers in the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) area and exposure to a slag conditioning agent at the LTV Steel Company (SIC-3312), Cleveland, Ohio. The company produced flat rolled steel. About 300 workers worked in the BOF area. Seven personal breathing samples and 12 bulk samples of area dust were collected for analysis. Exposures to elemental metals in airborne dust were below the occupationally allowed levels in all personal breathing zone samples. Bulk samples contained a variety of metals with skin irritant potential. Recent occurrences of work related irritant contact dermatitis or an exacerbation of an underlying skin condition brought on by workplace exposure to dust were identified in seven workers. The authors conclude that the dust levels in the BOF area were sufficiently high to be potential skin irritants. The authors recommend that attempts be made to reduce the handling of slag in the BOF area, to remove dust from surfaces where workers may come into contact with it, to use disposable one piece coveralls as dust barriers, and to encourage workers to periodically wash with a mild soap to remove dusts.
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(1995) Malvern Minerals Company, Hot Springs, Arkansas. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Mine Safety and Health Administration to determine the prevalence of silicosis in specific ground silica operations, a medical survey was conducted at Malvern Minerals Company (SIC-1446), Hot Springs, Arkansas. Workers with 1 year or more of work in grinding areas or areas downstream from grinding participated in the medical survey which included a questionnaire, spirometry, and a chest X-ray. There were 12 current workers and 11 former workers who participated ... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Mine Safety and Health Administration to determine the prevalence of silicosis in specific ground silica operations, a medical survey was conducted at Malvern Minerals Company (SIC-1446), Hot Springs, Arkansas. Workers with 1 year or more of work in grinding areas or areas downstream from grinding participated in the medical survey which included a questionnaire, spirometry, and a chest X-ray. There were 12 current workers and 11 former workers who participated in the medical survey. Of the 23 workers surveyed, 39% had chest radiographs consistent with silicosis. Two workers had radiographs consistent with progressive massive fibrosis. Abnormal lung function was identified in 26% of the participants. The author concludes that there was a substantial prevalence of silicosis among current and former ground silica workers at this facility. The author recommends that a medical monitoring program be instituted at this site.
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(1995) Medite of New Mexico, Las Vegas, New Mexico. (Click to open report) In response to a company request, an investigation was begun into worker exposure to formaldehyde (50000) at Medite of New Mexico (SIC- 2493), Las Vegas, New Mexico. The facility employed about 135 hourly employees in the production of fiberboard. Occupational exposures to formaldehyde, formaldehyde on dust, and total wood dust and inhalable wood dust were measured before and after process and engineering control changes were implemented by the company. The range for three personal breathing zon... (Click to show more)In response to a company request, an investigation was begun into worker exposure to formaldehyde (50000) at Medite of New Mexico (SIC- 2493), Las Vegas, New Mexico. The facility employed about 135 hourly employees in the production of fiberboard. Occupational exposures to formaldehyde, formaldehyde on dust, and total wood dust and inhalable wood dust were measured before and after process and engineering control changes were implemented by the company. The range for three personal breathing zone exposures for formaldehyde was 0.029 to 0.48mg/m3. Wood dust exposures ranged from none detected to 21.03mg/m3. The results indicated that formaldehyde and wood dust exposures at this fiberboard manufacturing facility were a health hazard. The company made a number of changes designed to reduce formaldehyde exposures during the study period, which were effective in significantly reducing, but not eliminating, hazardous formaldehyde exposures. Wood dust exposures were not significantly reduced overall by the changes. The author concludes that formaldehyde and wood dust exposures were a health hazard at this facility. The author recommends that specific measures be instituted to control formaldehyde and wood dust exposures through the use of engineering controls and respiratory protection.
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(1995) New York City Department of Sanitation, New York, New York. (Click to open report) In response to a joint request from the New York City Department of Sanitation and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, an investigation was begun into possible exposures to polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) at three waste incineration sites of the New York City Department of Sanitation (SIC-4953), New York City, New York. Six area air samples and five bulk fly ash samples were collected. Greater amounts of PCDDs/PCDFs ... (Click to show more)In response to a joint request from the New York City Department of Sanitation and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, an investigation was begun into possible exposures to polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) at three waste incineration sites of the New York City Department of Sanitation (SIC-4953), New York City, New York. Six area air samples and five bulk fly ash samples were collected. Greater amounts of PCDDs/PCDFs were present on the fly ash particulates collected from the electrostatic precipitator (ESP). A total of eight personal breathing zone and nine area samples were collected for metals during cleanout operations. Levels approached or exceeded the established criteria for arsenic (7440382), cadmium (7440439), lead (7439921), and nickel (7440020). For respirable dust/silica (14808607), the highest sample concentration occurred during ESP cleanout. The NIOSH recommended exposure limit for respirable quartz of 0.05mg/m3 was exceeded in one sample. The authors conclude that a health hazard existed during cleanout operations. The authors recommend that measures be taken to reduce exposures, including providing more effective respiratory protection, instruction on confined space entry, medical surveillance programs, and the prohibition of tobacco smoking in exposure locations.
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(1995) RCA Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from management, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at the RCA Rubber Company (SIC-3069), Akron, Ohio. Concern was expressed regarding the exposure of press operators and millmen to N-nitroso compounds and dusts which were generated while rubber flooring was being manufactured. Of the approximately 200 workers employed by RCA, about 60 were in jobs with the potential for exposure to nitrosamines and dusts. The production workers were te... (Click to show more)In response to a request from management, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at the RCA Rubber Company (SIC-3069), Akron, Ohio. Concern was expressed regarding the exposure of press operators and millmen to N-nitroso compounds and dusts which were generated while rubber flooring was being manufactured. Of the approximately 200 workers employed by RCA, about 60 were in jobs with the potential for exposure to nitrosamines and dusts. The production workers were tested for personal breathing zone contamination, and area workplace samples were also collected for nitrosamines, respirable dusts, elemental metals, formaldehyde (50000), carbon-monoxide (630080) and sulfur- dioxide (7446095). Only N-nitrosopiperidine (100754) was detected in the samples collected, and the concentrations were low in the samples where it appeared. Respirable dust levels ranged from 0.03 to 3.17mg/m3. In an analysis of 12 work area samples, only trace quantities of metals were detected. The authors conclude that, due to the findings of this study, the mandatory use of respiratory protection by mixing and press personnel should be reviewed by company officials. The continued use of dust respirators was recommended for three areas of the facility until engineering controls could be implemented.
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