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HHE Search Results
1063 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
(1994) Chemetals, Inc., New Johnsonville, Tennessee. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the International Union of Operating Engineers, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at Chemetals, Inc. (SIC-2819), New Johnsonville, Tennessee. Some employees had experienced nose bleeds, eye irritation, chest congestion, headaches, and dizziness associated with excessive exposures to sulfuric-acid (7664939) mist and manganese (7439965) dust. The company produced high purity manganese-dioxide. Exposures to manganese exceeded the NIO... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the International Union of Operating Engineers, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at Chemetals, Inc. (SIC-2819), New Johnsonville, Tennessee. Some employees had experienced nose bleeds, eye irritation, chest congestion, headaches, and dizziness associated with excessive exposures to sulfuric-acid (7664939) mist and manganese (7439965) dust. The company produced high purity manganese-dioxide. Exposures to manganese exceeded the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) of 1mg/m3 for workers in the briquette bagging operation where time weighted average (TWA) 10 hour exposures were 7.62mg/m3. Excessive exposures were also noted at the briquette batch mixing and manganese powder 4,000 pound bagging operation where TWAs were 1.27 and 1.90mg/m3, respectively. A later visit revealed manganese exposures exceeding the short term exposure limit (STEL) of 3mg/m3 as well for workers in the briquette batch mixing area with TWAs of 1.24 and STEL measurement of 3.2mg/m3. Approximately 18% of the exposed particulate was in the respirable range. Exposures to sulfuric-acid were consistently below the REL of 1mg/m3. Notable eye and throat irritation were observed in the cell rooms, suggesting the need to implement engineering controls. The author concludes that a potential health hazard from exposure to manganese dust was found. The author recommends that exposures to manganese dust and sulfuric-acid mist be reduced.
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(1994) Dee Zee Manufacturing, Des Moines, Iowa. (Click to open report) In response to a request from employees at Dee Zee Manufacturing (SIC-3429), Des Moines, Iowa, concerning exposures to hazardous materials in and around the buffing shack area, an environmental and medical survey was conducted. The company manufactured after market truck accessories such as running boards, brush guards, and roll bars. Overexposures were found to total dust, welding fumes, aluminum (7429905), chromium (7440473), carbon-monoxide (630080), nitrogen-dioxide (10102440), and sulfur-di... (Click to show more)In response to a request from employees at Dee Zee Manufacturing (SIC-3429), Des Moines, Iowa, concerning exposures to hazardous materials in and around the buffing shack area, an environmental and medical survey was conducted. The company manufactured after market truck accessories such as running boards, brush guards, and roll bars. Overexposures were found to total dust, welding fumes, aluminum (7429905), chromium (7440473), carbon-monoxide (630080), nitrogen-dioxide (10102440), and sulfur-dioxide (7446095) for buffing and welding employees. All employees were overexposed to carbon-monoxide. Buffers and welders reported similar prevalences of shortness of breath, chest tightness and wheezing, but the buffers had higher prevalences of skin rashes, nosebleeds, ear pain, eye irritation and sneezing. Foreign objects in the eyes occurred more frequently among the welders. Eight of the current employees had pulmonary function results below normal limits. All eight exhibited obstructive respiratory disease patterns. Two of the eight were buffers; six were welders. All were either former or current smokers. The authors conclude that a health hazard existed from exposure to dust, welding fume, aluminum, chromium, carbon- monoxide, nitrogen-dioxide, and sulfur-dioxide. The authors recommend that medical surveillance and exposure reduction measures be taken.
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(1994) Delaware County Resource Recovery Facility, Chester, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a confidential request, an investigation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Delaware County Resource Recovery Facility (SIC-4053), Chester, Pennsylvania. The facility was a waste to energy incinerator employing 91 persons. The facility incinerated municipal solid waste and refuse derived fuel to produce electrical power. The request was made in response to concern regarding exposure to lead (7439921), incinerator ash dust, and heat stress. Health concerns inc... (Click to show more)In response to a confidential request, an investigation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Delaware County Resource Recovery Facility (SIC-4053), Chester, Pennsylvania. The facility was a waste to energy incinerator employing 91 persons. The facility incinerated municipal solid waste and refuse derived fuel to produce electrical power. The request was made in response to concern regarding exposure to lead (7439921), incinerator ash dust, and heat stress. Health concerns included ear, nose and throat problems, eye irritation, and skin rash. During the initial visit, lead and other metals were found in settled dust throughout the facility. Lead, chromium (7440473), cadmium (7440439), and nickel (7440020) were present on lunch tables and on workers' hands. During a follow up visit, full shift personal air monitoring was conducted. The greatest concentrations of lead were found in bulk, wipe and air samples. Personal breathing samples taken showed that lead concentrations were well below the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit of 50 micrograms/cubic meter. A potential for excessive heat exposure was found on the fifth and sixth floor of the facility. Safety hazards cited during this visit included improper practices regarding personal protective equipment and inadequate personal hygiene practices such as handwashing. The authors conclude that a possible occupational health hazard existed due to heat exposure in some areas of the facility. The presence of metal in dust on workers' hands and surfaces presented a risk of ingestion.
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(1994) Duracell Battery Company, Cleveland, Tennessee. (Click to open report) In response to a report from an occupational physician of suspected Parkinson like neurological effects resulting from manganese (7439965) (Mn) exposure in the powder areas of the Duracell Battery Company (SIC-3692), Cleveland, Tennessee, exposures to Mn dust and the effectiveness of the respiratory protection program were evaluated. Workers were screened for symptoms related to Mn overexposure. Press operators, mechanics, material handlers and other workers were evaluated for full shift and sho... (Click to show more)In response to a report from an occupational physician of suspected Parkinson like neurological effects resulting from manganese (7439965) (Mn) exposure in the powder areas of the Duracell Battery Company (SIC-3692), Cleveland, Tennessee, exposures to Mn dust and the effectiveness of the respiratory protection program were evaluated. Workers were screened for symptoms related to Mn overexposure. Press operators, mechanics, material handlers and other workers were evaluated for full shift and short term personal breathing zone dust samples. Fifty four full shift time weighted average exposure concentrations of total Mn ranged from 0.1 to 5.4mg/m3. The Recommended Exposure Limit for Mn dust was 1.0mg/m3 total Mn. Area sample comparisons of total and respirable manganese revealed the mean respirable particulate manganese fraction to be 21% of the total manganese concentration. Respiratory protection was worn by workers in the powder processing and press room areas. Respirator performance was evaluated. Six of the employees from the powder processing area and press rooms, 8% of the total number, participated in private medical interviews. All denied awareness of symptoms of manganism, and none showed signs of the disease. The authors recommend measures for controlling exposure, including installing additional process enclosures and local exhaust ventilation; ventilation design improvements; increased filtration of recirculated air; elimination of dry sweeping; and medical surveillance of manganese exposed workers.
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(1994) Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, D.C. (Click to open report) In response to a request from a management representative of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (SIC-9221), Washington, DC, an investigation was begun into possible health hazards associated with exposure to various chemical compounds used by FBI fingerprint specialists to develop latent fingerprints. Air samples were collected in the Latent Fingerprint Section laboratories while latent prints were developed in exhaust hoods, and at a simulated crime scene. In the laboratory, the airborne... (Click to show more)In response to a request from a management representative of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (SIC-9221), Washington, DC, an investigation was begun into possible health hazards associated with exposure to various chemical compounds used by FBI fingerprint specialists to develop latent fingerprints. Air samples were collected in the Latent Fingerprint Section laboratories while latent prints were developed in exhaust hoods, and at a simulated crime scene. In the laboratory, the airborne concentration of ethyl- 2-cyanoacrylate (7085850) was 0.29 parts per million (ppm). The highest airborne concentration of petroleum-ether (8030306) was 52.4mg/m3. Only one sample contained a detectable amount of iodine (7553562). Only one sample contained acetone (67641). Measurements taken while working on a simulated crime scene indicated that there is a potential for exposure due to lack of exhaust ventilation. The authors conclude that the fingerprint specialists' chemical exposures while working at a crime scene could be a potential health hazard. The authors recommend that respiratory protection be used while using some materials, including fingerprint powders, at crime scenes. Improvements should be made in safety practices during the use of an argon laser.
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(1994) General Electric Aircraft Engines, Madisonville, Kentucky. (Click to open report) In response to a confidential employee request, an investigation was begun into possible exposure to contaminants generated during turbine blade and vane manufacture at the General Electric Aircraft Engines (SIC-3724), Madisonville, Kentucky. The company employed about 800 workers in the manufacture of blade and vane components of turbine engines. All solvent concentrations detected during the monitoring period were well below the established limits. With the exception of one sample for nickel (... (Click to show more)In response to a confidential employee request, an investigation was begun into possible exposure to contaminants generated during turbine blade and vane manufacture at the General Electric Aircraft Engines (SIC-3724), Madisonville, Kentucky. The company employed about 800 workers in the manufacture of blade and vane components of turbine engines. All solvent concentrations detected during the monitoring period were well below the established limits. With the exception of one sample for nickel (7440020) all personal exposures to metal dust or fume were below the limits. The overexposure to nickel, 20 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3), occurred in a 426 minute sample from the Co-Dep operator. The NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit was 15microg/m3. The highest cobalt (7440484) concentration was 20microg/m3. A cadmium (7440439) concentration of 1.9 microg/m3 was detected at a grinding station. Other substances detected were at levels below the respective allowable limits. Most of the ten employees who reported health problems during medical interviews had upper respiratory irritation and skin rashes. No common cause could be identified. The authors conclude that a potential health hazard from nickel exposure existed at the Co-Dep operation. The authors recommend that smoking be eliminated, housekeeping and ventilation be improved, and alternatives be found to compressed air for cleaning purposes.
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(1994) General Electric Corporation, Evendale, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from United Auto Workers Local 647, an investigation of possible hazardous working conditions was begun at the General Electric Corporation (SIC-3724) located in Evendale, Ohio. Concern was expressed over two operations: the removal of Viton and the grinding, milling, and cutting of PMR-15 during the production of aircraft engine parts. No residual 4,4'- methylenedianiline (101779) (MDA) was detected from an analysis of a bulk sample of graphite composite particulate. Se... (Click to show more)In response to a request from United Auto Workers Local 647, an investigation of possible hazardous working conditions was begun at the General Electric Corporation (SIC-3724) located in Evendale, Ohio. Concern was expressed over two operations: the removal of Viton and the grinding, milling, and cutting of PMR-15 during the production of aircraft engine parts. No residual 4,4'- methylenedianiline (101779) (MDA) was detected from an analysis of a bulk sample of graphite composite particulate. Seven personal breathing zone and general area air samples were analyzed and shown to contain no airborne fibers. Concentrations of total and/or respirable particulate in the Development Manufacturing Operations (DMO) area were very low, ranging from 0.01 to 0.06mg/m3 for respirable particulate and from 0.07 to 0.17mg/m3 for total particulate. Most employees reported to have skin problems in the DMO area had histories consistent with possible work related skin disorders with pruritis and redness of the skin. In one case the children of a worker also had experienced rashes. Although some workers found that wearing gloves, sleeves, and paper overalls decreased the frequency of the skin disorders, other workers considered them to be a safety hazard. The authors conclude that a potential hazard existed to the exposed, unprotected skin from graphite composite particulate. The authors recommend that changes be made in the type of protective clothing used. Local exhaust ventilation should be used when machining composite components without cutting fluids.
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(1994) Geneva Rubber Company, Geneva, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the employees at the Geneva Rubber Company (SIC-3567), Geneva, Ohio, an evaluation was conducted of worker exposures to rubber fumes in the injection press area. The Company manufactured molded rubber parts for appliances used in marine, electrical, and automotive products. On each shift, 12 workers were assigned in the injection press area that included nine automatic steam heated injection presses. Several types of primer paints and paint thinners were used in the... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the employees at the Geneva Rubber Company (SIC-3567), Geneva, Ohio, an evaluation was conducted of worker exposures to rubber fumes in the injection press area. The Company manufactured molded rubber parts for appliances used in marine, electrical, and automotive products. On each shift, 12 workers were assigned in the injection press area that included nine automatic steam heated injection presses. Several types of primer paints and paint thinners were used in the paint room adjacent to the injection press area. Low concentrations of tetrachloroethylene (127184), toluene (108883), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556) and xylene (1330207) were detected in the personal breathing zone samples for workers in the injection press area. In the degreaser area and paint room, tetrachloroethylene (127184), methyl-isobutyl-ketone (108101), methylene-chloride (75092), xylene, and methyl-ethyl- ketone (78933) were detected. Three workers in the paint room had a combined exposure to a solvent mixture which exceeded acceptable limits. Real time exposures to respirable dust were 0.016 and 0.017mg/m3. Workers experienced irritation of the mucous membranes, cough, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, and sinus congestion with drainage. The authors conclude that no specific substance or substances could be identified which clearly accounted for symptoms reported by workers. Paint room workers were overexposed to a mixture of solvents. The authors recommend that improvements be made in the ventilation systems, proper personal protective equipment be provided, and exposures to rubber chemicals be further evaluated.
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(1994) Hardy Road Landfill, Akron, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from management at the City of Akron and the Akron City Employees Local 1360, a study was made regarding potential exposures of employees to toxic dusts from empty containers and packaging materials landfilled at the Hardy Road Landfill (SIC-4953). The Landfill was a 215 acre waste disposal site in the northwest portion of Akron, Ohio. The landfill accepts wood, paper, plastic and metal from businesses and residences; industrial solid waste byproducts such as foundry san... (Click to show more)In response to a request from management at the City of Akron and the Akron City Employees Local 1360, a study was made regarding potential exposures of employees to toxic dusts from empty containers and packaging materials landfilled at the Hardy Road Landfill (SIC-4953). The Landfill was a 215 acre waste disposal site in the northwest portion of Akron, Ohio. The landfill accepts wood, paper, plastic and metal from businesses and residences; industrial solid waste byproducts such as foundry sand, rubber scrap, and nonuseable materials; exempt solid wastes such as construction debris and incinerator ash waste from an energy recycle station. Three heavy equipment operators, three mechanics, and a laborer participated in a 2 day monitoring period of personal air and noise dosimetry measurements. These workers were exposed to noise in excess of the OSHA standard of 90 decibels-A. Hearing protective devices were used. Full shift air sampling for asbestos (1332214), respirable dust, respirable silica (14808607), and metals indicated that three equipment operators were exposed to excess levels of respirable silica. Half mask respirators were available for use at the discretion of the employees. The authors conclude that a health hazard existed due to exposure to respirable silica. Workers were also exposed to noise. The authors recommend that comprehensive hearing conservation and respiratory protection programs be instituted.
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(1994) Johnson Controls, Inc., Lexington, Kentucky. (Click to open report) In response to a joint request from union and management, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at Johnson Controls, Inc. (SIC-3444), Lexington, Kentucky. Workers had reported eye and throat irritation during welding of galvanized metal. The company manufactured custom ventilation dampers from galvanized steel roll stock. The company employed 35 workers, 26 of whom are directly involved in the manufacturing process. Air sampling indicated that contaminant levels were be... (Click to show more)In response to a joint request from union and management, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at Johnson Controls, Inc. (SIC-3444), Lexington, Kentucky. Workers had reported eye and throat irritation during welding of galvanized metal. The company manufactured custom ventilation dampers from galvanized steel roll stock. The company employed 35 workers, 26 of whom are directly involved in the manufacturing process. Air sampling indicated that contaminant levels were below recommended exposure limits. Zinc-oxide (1314132), manganese (7439965), and iron (7439896) were detected in the welding fume samples. The highest measured concentration of specific welding fume components were detected on a 143 minute afternoon sample obtained from the Value Line welder. Even at this time, all detected levels were well below the recommended standards. No detectable levels of ozone (10028156) or nitrogen-dioxide (10102440) were found at the welding stations. Carbon-monoxide (630080) was below the recommended limits. Removable metal residue was found on surfaces used for food and beverage consumption, indicating additional cleaning is warranted. The existing ventilation system used to control welding fume was not being used as efficiently as possible. The authors conclude that an inhalation hazard was not present during the monitoring period. The authors recommend that the ventilation system be improved.
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