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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
(1993) Norfolk Southern Railway Company. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Virginia Department of Health, a study was made of silica (14808607) exposures for workers on the Norfolk Southern Railroad (SIC-4011). A private physician had reported that one of his patients seemed to have severe pneumoconiosis, probably silicosis. This patient had been a railroad maintenance of way employee for the company for about 20 years as a track laborer. Environmental sampling was conducted during track maintenance activities by Timber and Surfacing G... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Virginia Department of Health, a study was made of silica (14808607) exposures for workers on the Norfolk Southern Railroad (SIC-4011). A private physician had reported that one of his patients seemed to have severe pneumoconiosis, probably silicosis. This patient had been a railroad maintenance of way employee for the company for about 20 years as a track laborer. Environmental sampling was conducted during track maintenance activities by Timber and Surfacing Gangs at three sites. Of the 50 personal breathing zone and 21 area samples collected for respirable dust and crystalline silica, 27 of the personal and ten of the area samples equalled or exceeded the NIOSH recommended limit for respirable quartz of 0.05mg/m3. A medical survey of 32 track maintenance workers found no evidence of pneumoconiosis or adverse respiratory health effects. The overall prevalence of chronic cough was 31% and for chronic phlegm and shortness of breath, 25% each. The authors conclude that Timber and Surfacing Gang workers were being overexposed to crystalline silica. There was a potential for excessive crystalline silica exposure for track maintenance workers. The authors recommend measures to reduce exposure and for medical surveillance.
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(1993) Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from Ohio University Athens, Ohio, concerning worker exposures and cleaning effectiveness during a lead based paint cleaning pilot program conducted by a lead abatement contractor (SIC-1799), three cleaning methods were evaluated. The pilot program involved testing the three methods in unoccupied buildings contaminated with deteriorated lead (7439921) based paint. A visit was made to the site to observe work practices, and conduct air, surface, and bulk sampling for lead... (Click to show more)In response to a request from Ohio University Athens, Ohio, concerning worker exposures and cleaning effectiveness during a lead based paint cleaning pilot program conducted by a lead abatement contractor (SIC-1799), three cleaning methods were evaluated. The pilot program involved testing the three methods in unoccupied buildings contaminated with deteriorated lead (7439921) based paint. A visit was made to the site to observe work practices, and conduct air, surface, and bulk sampling for lead. The three cleaning methods included dry scraping followed by broom sweeping, wet scraping followed by high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtered vacuuming, and wet scraping followed by HEPA vacuuming with a HEPA filtered air filtration device placed in the room to exhaust room air to the outside. Six workers cleaned 18 rooms in 1 day. Sampling for lead was conducted before, during and after cleaning. The authors conclude that workers were potentially overexposed to lead during the three methods. The wet HEPA method was the best for controlling lead exposures. Even using this method, lead exposures during cleaning reached 50 micrograms/cubic meter. The cleaning effectiveness of the three methods was not significantly different. The authors recommend that the contractor furnish workers with NIOSH approved HEPA filter respirators, protective clothing, a clean change area, handwashing facilities, and job specific hazard training.
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(1993) Olympic Packaging Inc., Madison, Wisconsin. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the United Paperworkers International Union, Local 1202, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at the Olympic Packaging facility (SIC- 2657) located in Madison, Wisconsin. The request concerned exposure to chemicals and starch dust used at the site, and respiratory symptoms experienced by the workers. The company manufactured printed cartons for consumer goods, employing about 200 persons over three shifts. Workers reported symptoms i... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the United Paperworkers International Union, Local 1202, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions at the Olympic Packaging facility (SIC- 2657) located in Madison, Wisconsin. The request concerned exposure to chemicals and starch dust used at the site, and respiratory symptoms experienced by the workers. The company manufactured printed cartons for consumer goods, employing about 200 persons over three shifts. Workers reported symptoms including dry or irritated eyes, stuffy nose, sinus congestion, dry or irritated throat, cough and dry skin. Air sampling indicated that individual chemical concentrations were significantly below the allowed limits. However, there was the potential for over exposure to organic solvents in the rotogravure department on days when the press persons spent a major portion of the workshift in this room. Several safety hazards were identified, including inadequate eye and skin protection, and failure to meet the OSHA requirements for respiratory protection and hazard communication programs. The authors conclude that workers were exposed to potentially hazardous concentrations of organic solvents in the rotogravure department. The authors recommend specific measures to reduce worker exposures.
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(1993) Saint Bernard Police Department, Saint Bernard, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from management at the Saint Bernard Police Department (SIC-9221), Saint Bernard, Ohio, an investigation was begun into exposures to lead (7439921) during hand gun firing exercises. The Department employed a staff of approximately 17 officers. Each month the firing range was used by four or five officers for 1 to 2 hours. The firing range occupied 2,500 square feet of the lower level of the building. The personal breathing zone (PBZ) measurements for lead exposure ranged... (Click to show more)In response to a request from management at the Saint Bernard Police Department (SIC-9221), Saint Bernard, Ohio, an investigation was begun into exposures to lead (7439921) during hand gun firing exercises. The Department employed a staff of approximately 17 officers. Each month the firing range was used by four or five officers for 1 to 2 hours. The firing range occupied 2,500 square feet of the lower level of the building. The personal breathing zone (PBZ) measurements for lead exposure ranged from 36 to 48 micrograms of lead per cubic meter (microg/m3), based on the actual sampling time of 72 minutes. PBZ measurements for three officers ranged from 5 to 7microg/m3. All tests indicated the lead exposure levels were below the permissible limits. Thirteen general area air samples ranged from none detected to 845microg/m3. Peak sound pressure levels measured were as high as 160 decibels (dB), which did exceed the OSHA peak exposure criteria of 140dB. The authors conclude that there were no overexposures to airborne lead at the time of the evaluation. The authors recommend that personal hygiene practices be improved, that the firing range be properly maintained, and that hearing protection devices be maintained in good working order.
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(1993) Silver Mountain Enterprises, Montrose, Colorado. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Safety Coordinator of Silver Mountain Enterprises (SIC-2499), an investigation was begun into possible wood dust and noise exposures at their manufacturing facility in Montrose, Colorado. Handicapped individuals were employed at the woodshop manufacturing wood surveyor's stakes. Short term wood dust exposures ranged from 0.2 to 4.1mg/m3. The calculated time weighted average exposures were all below the OSHA and NIOSH exposure limits. The highest exposures from n... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Safety Coordinator of Silver Mountain Enterprises (SIC-2499), an investigation was begun into possible wood dust and noise exposures at their manufacturing facility in Montrose, Colorado. Handicapped individuals were employed at the woodshop manufacturing wood surveyor's stakes. Short term wood dust exposures ranged from 0.2 to 4.1mg/m3. The calculated time weighted average exposures were all below the OSHA and NIOSH exposure limits. The highest exposures from normal operations were seen from workers on the two table saws. The highest consistent task samples were found during clean up operations. Workers used brooms to dry sweep the floors and brush off machine surfaces. Personal noise dosimetry equipment indicated that average exposures over several time periods ranged from 79.8 to 93 decibels-A. The table saw operators had the highest general exposures, with equivalent exposures in the 85 to 93 decibel-A range. A partial hearing conservation program was in effect. The author concludes that a potential health hazard existed from overexposure to noise. The author recommends that a complete hearing conservation program be established.
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(1993) The General Castings Co. - Domestic Division, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a request from management at the General Castings Company (SIC-3321), located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, an investigation was made into worker exposures in the coremaking, molding, pouring, melting, shakeout, sand handling, and cleaning areas of the facility. The facility was a gray and ductile iron foundry. An electric induction and two holding furnaces were used to produce molten iron. No local exhaust hoods or air pollution control devices for the induction furnaces were in... (Click to show more)In response to a request from management at the General Castings Company (SIC-3321), located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, an investigation was made into worker exposures in the coremaking, molding, pouring, melting, shakeout, sand handling, and cleaning areas of the facility. The facility was a gray and ductile iron foundry. An electric induction and two holding furnaces were used to produce molten iron. No local exhaust hoods or air pollution control devices for the induction furnaces were in place. Four coremaking processes were used: hot shell, oil baked, cold box, and no bake. An industrial hygiene survey was conducted and included personal breathing zone and area air sampling, work practice evaluation, engineering control measures, and noise exposure assessment. The author concludes that workers were overexposed to respirable silica (14808607), lead (7439921) and noise. Carbon- monoxide (630080), chrysotile (12001295) and benzene (71432) exposures constituted a potential health hazard to employees in the coremaking, molding, pouring, cleaning and shakeout areas. The author recommended measures for reducing exposures and improving the use of respiratory protective devices.
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(1993) The General Castings Company, Curtis Street Facility, Delaware, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a management request, worker exposures were evaluated at the General Casting Company (SIC-3321) Curtis Street Facility, Delaware, Ohio. The facility was a casting cleaning facility for gray and ductile iron foundries. Two shifts operated at the facility with a total of 52 employees. Personal breathing zone air concentrations of respirable silica (14808607) ranged from 163 to 19,870 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3). All the 24 samples taken exceeded the NIOSH Recommended Expo... (Click to show more)In response to a management request, worker exposures were evaluated at the General Casting Company (SIC-3321) Curtis Street Facility, Delaware, Ohio. The facility was a casting cleaning facility for gray and ductile iron foundries. Two shifts operated at the facility with a total of 52 employees. Personal breathing zone air concentrations of respirable silica (14808607) ranged from 163 to 19,870 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3). All the 24 samples taken exceeded the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) of 50microg/m3. Twenty one samples contained cristobalite (14464461). Of the 16 iron exposures measured for the chipper/grinders, 12 exceeded the REL of 5,000microg/m3. Several nickel (7440020) concentrations exceeded the REL of 15microg/m3. Grinders were overexposed to noise. A paint dip tank area sample exceeded the 100 parts per million OSHA standard for xylene (1330207). Exposures to benzene (71432), ethyl-benzene (100414), toluene (108883) aluminum (7429905), chromium (7440473), copper (7440508), lead (7439921), magnesium (7439954), manganese (7439965) and zinc (7440666) did not exceed recommended limits. The authors conclude that workers were overexposed to respirable silica, cristobalite, iron, nickel, and noise; there was a potential health hazard from xylene. The authors recommend that engineering controls, use of personal protective equipment, and work practices be improved.
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(1993) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Austin Finance Center, Austin, Texas. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the management at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Austin Finance Center (SIC-9451), Austin, Texas, an investigation was made concerning complaints of poor indoor air quality. Complaints included breathing problems, itching, headaches, coughing, congestion, fiberglass from ceiling panels, and paper dust. The site was formerly a warehouse which was converted to office space. Five general area, full shift air samples were collected for total dust concentration... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the management at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Austin Finance Center (SIC-9451), Austin, Texas, an investigation was made concerning complaints of poor indoor air quality. Complaints included breathing problems, itching, headaches, coughing, congestion, fiberglass from ceiling panels, and paper dust. The site was formerly a warehouse which was converted to office space. Five general area, full shift air samples were collected for total dust concentrations. The eight hour time weighted average results ranged from not detectable to 0.21mg/m3. Ozone (10028156) concentrations were equal to or greater than the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) of 0.1 parts per million (ppm) at microfiche reader printer exhaust ports. Carbon-dioxide (124389) levels in the building ranged from 425ppm to 875ppm. Temperature ranged from 72.0 to 80.0 degrees-F. Relative humidity indoors ranged from 48.4 to 64.4%. The most common symptoms reported by the workers were mucous membrane irritation, fatigue or sleepiness, and headache. The authors conclude that clear evidence was not found to explain all of the symptoms reported. Respiratory symptoms may be explained by ozone levels near the microfilm reader printers. Psychosocial conditions may have been contributory. The authors recommend that maintenance of the air handling system be improved.
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(1993) United States Forest Service, Red River, New Mexico. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the United States Forest Service, an investigation was begun of possible hazards to workers at the Red River Ski Area (SIC-7999) in New Mexico resulting from the use of Snomax, an ice nucleation product used in snowmaking operations. The product was a freeze dried preparation of an endotoxin producing Gram negative bacteria, Pseudomonas-syringae. Snowmaking was done at the Red River Ski Area only during the night, and never when skiers were present. Samples were col... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the United States Forest Service, an investigation was begun of possible hazards to workers at the Red River Ski Area (SIC-7999) in New Mexico resulting from the use of Snomax, an ice nucleation product used in snowmaking operations. The product was a freeze dried preparation of an endotoxin producing Gram negative bacteria, Pseudomonas-syringae. Snowmaking was done at the Red River Ski Area only during the night, and never when skiers were present. Samples were collected over 3 days to assess occupational exposures to airborne dusts, viable Gram negative bacteria, and endotoxins. Viable P-syringae were not identified in any air, snow or water samples. Endotoxins were detected in snow samples, samples of snowmaking water, and in airborne dust samples. Personal exposures to endotoxins among workers directly involved in snowmaking ranged from 1 endotoxin unit (EU) per cubic meter (m3) to 92EU/m3. There were no occupational standards for endotoxin exposure. The author concludes that workers were exposed to endotoxins during snowmaking. The mean exposures in the high exposure category were below estimated human threshold levels. No significant respiratory problems were reported by the workers filling out a questionnaire.
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(1993) West Helena - Helena Sportswear, Inc., West Helena, Arkansas. (Click to open report) In response to an employee request, an investigation was begun into possible health effects resulting from formaldehyde (50000) exposure at West Helena-Helena Sportswear (SIC-2337), West Helena, Arkansas. The company manufactured ladies' sportswear. Precured permanent press fabrics were spread on large tables and cut to patterns. Pieces were fused, bundled and tagged. The cut pieces were then assembled into garments which were pressed, inspected, bagged and shipped. About 1,000 finished garments... (Click to show more)In response to an employee request, an investigation was begun into possible health effects resulting from formaldehyde (50000) exposure at West Helena-Helena Sportswear (SIC-2337), West Helena, Arkansas. The company manufactured ladies' sportswear. Precured permanent press fabrics were spread on large tables and cut to patterns. Pieces were fused, bundled and tagged. The cut pieces were then assembled into garments which were pressed, inspected, bagged and shipped. About 1,000 finished garments were produced each day. Personal breathing zone formaldehyde concentrations ranged from 0.14 to 0.17 parts per million (ppm) as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA). General area sample formaldehyde concentrations ranged from 0.16 to 0.25ppm as an 8 hour TWA, and particulate concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 0.15mg/m3. The dust was found to contain formaldehyde. The formaldehyde levels in personal breathing zone and general air samples exceeded the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit of lowest feasible concentration. The author concludes that the formaldehyde concentrations exceeded the NIOSH recommended limit. Nuisance dust evaluation criteria may not be sufficient since the dust contained formaldehyde. The author recommends that efforts be made to reduce formaldehyde exposures at this facility.
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