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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
(1992) Kreisler Industrial Corporation, Elmwood Park, New Jersey. (Click to open report) In response to a request from 16 former employees of the Kreisler Industrial Corporation (SIC-3498) (KIC), Elmwood Park, New Jersey, an investigation was undertaken to determine if health problems in some employees were work related. Reported health problems among the workers included occupational asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, heart problems and cancer. KIC was a custom machine shop servicing the aircraft engine industry. The company employed 85 workers with 50 directly involved in production or q... (Click to show more)In response to a request from 16 former employees of the Kreisler Industrial Corporation (SIC-3498) (KIC), Elmwood Park, New Jersey, an investigation was undertaken to determine if health problems in some employees were work related. Reported health problems among the workers included occupational asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, heart problems and cancer. KIC was a custom machine shop servicing the aircraft engine industry. The company employed 85 workers with 50 directly involved in production or quality control. Monitoring results indicated that all contaminants sampled were below NIOSH recommended exposure limits (PELs). The highest solvent vapor concentration detected was 8 parts per million (ppm) for 1,1,1- trichloroethane (71556) (TCE) for the cleaning operator. The highest inorganic acid concentration detected was 0.15ppm of nitric- acid (7697372). Mineral-oil mist concentrations of 0.9 and dust contamination in the cleaning, deburring, and assembly departments. Other than eye and respiratory tract irritation, the medical evaluation did not identify employee health problems related to workplace contamination. The authors recommend measures to improve the level of safety and health at the facility.
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(1992) Langers Black Hills Silver Jewelry, Inc., Spearfish, South Dakota. (Click to open report) In response to a request from employees of Langers Black Hills Silver Jewelry (SIC-3911), an investigation was undertaken of possible hazardous working conditions at that site in Spearfish, South Dakota. Twenty one to 23 workers at the facility were engaged in making jewelry; processes used included lost wax casting, resin molding, and soldering. Personal air sampling was conducted to evaluate employee exposure to carbon-monoxide (630080), crystalline silica (14808607) and metal fume in the Cast... (Click to show more)In response to a request from employees of Langers Black Hills Silver Jewelry (SIC-3911), an investigation was undertaken of possible hazardous working conditions at that site in Spearfish, South Dakota. Twenty one to 23 workers at the facility were engaged in making jewelry; processes used included lost wax casting, resin molding, and soldering. Personal air sampling was conducted to evaluate employee exposure to carbon-monoxide (630080), crystalline silica (14808607) and metal fume in the Casting Department, styrene (100425) in the Gems by Jim Department, and toluene (108883) and xylene (1330207) in the Box Filler Department. The ventilation systems used for contaminant control were evaluated, informal interviews with employees were conducted, and chemical handling practices were observed. All exposures were below recommended levels for all tasks monitored. Although the levels of silver (7440224) were below the NIOSH recommended exposure limit of systems, installed to control worker exposure to contaminants, were based on inappropriate design criteria. The author concludes that the silver level is of concern. The author recommends that controls to reduce exposure to silver fume be implemented, that employee training and respiratory protection programs be implemented, and that the exhaust ventilation system be improved.
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(1992) M and J Painting Company, Covington, Kentucky. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Resources, an evaluation was undertaken of occupational health hazards experienced during repainting of the Brent Spence Bridge, a double level highway bridge over the Ohio River between Covington, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. M and J Painting Company (SIC-1622) was responsible for removal of the existing lead (7439921) based paint and corrosion with abrasive blasting within containment structures. Six NIOSH visits were made to the ... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Resources, an evaluation was undertaken of occupational health hazards experienced during repainting of the Brent Spence Bridge, a double level highway bridge over the Ohio River between Covington, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. M and J Painting Company (SIC-1622) was responsible for removal of the existing lead (7439921) based paint and corrosion with abrasive blasting within containment structures. Six NIOSH visits were made to the site. Ranges for personal exposures to airborne lead were 3,690 to 29,400 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) for abrasive blasters and 5 to 6720microg/m3 for other job categories. Respirators in use were not sufficiently protective. Personal exposure to noise expressed as 8 hour time weighted averages ranged from 89.6 decibels-A to 105.4 decibels-A. The mean blood lead level increased from 29 micrograms/deciliter to 36 micrograms/deciliter among eight workers after approximately 1 month of work on the bridge. The authors conclude that a health hazard existed during paint removal on the bridge due to overexposure to lead and noise. The authors recommend specific measures for reducing the lead and noise exposures including improved engineering controls, work practices, respiratory protection program and personal hygiene facilities.
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(1992) Metropolitan Sewer District, Mill Creek Facility, Cincinnati, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a confidential request from an employee, a health hazard evaluation was conducted at the Metropolitan Sewer District, Mill Creek Facility (SIC-4952) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Concern had been expressed regarding exposure to sulfur-dioxide (7446095), nitrogen oxides, inorganic acids, metals, dioxins, furans, and bacteria in the sludge dewatering and incineration buildings. There were approximately 60 employees on three shifts with the potential for exposure in the sewer sludge dewaterin... (Click to show more)In response to a confidential request from an employee, a health hazard evaluation was conducted at the Metropolitan Sewer District, Mill Creek Facility (SIC-4952) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Concern had been expressed regarding exposure to sulfur-dioxide (7446095), nitrogen oxides, inorganic acids, metals, dioxins, furans, and bacteria in the sludge dewatering and incineration buildings. There were approximately 60 employees on three shifts with the potential for exposure in the sewer sludge dewatering and incineration buildings. Personal breathing zone and area air samples were taken along with surface wipe and bulk materials samples. Contaminant concentrations did not exceed current environmental evaluation criteria for the substances investigated. Health complaints were not reported by employees at the time of the site visits. The authors conclude that concentrations of cadmium (7440439), chromium (7440473), lead (7439921), nickel (7440020), and quartz (14808607) in dewatered sludge and surface dusts represented potential ingestion and inhalation hazards. The authors recommend measures to prevent contact with contaminated materials.
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(1992) Morgan Shirt Company, Morgantown, West Virginia. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the management of the Morgan Shirt Company (SIC-2321), Morgantown, West Virginia, an investigation was made into potential respiratory effects as a result of handling and processing an imported fabric. Employees had noticed a vinegar type odor in their building, followed by respiratory symptoms when they started marking and cutting new fabric which had recently been received from India. Detector tube samples were collected and analyzed for acetic-acid (64197) and fa... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the management of the Morgan Shirt Company (SIC-2321), Morgantown, West Virginia, an investigation was made into potential respiratory effects as a result of handling and processing an imported fabric. Employees had noticed a vinegar type odor in their building, followed by respiratory symptoms when they started marking and cutting new fabric which had recently been received from India. Detector tube samples were collected and analyzed for acetic-acid (64197) and fabric samples were analyzed for latent volatile organics. Environmental samples were also collected for dust, fibers, temperature, humidity, and noise in three areas of the facility, the cutting room, and the first and second levels of the main building. The acetic-acid concentration in the detector tubes indicated less than 5 parts per million (ppm) acetic-acid concentrations. Fabric samples indicated trace quantities of acetic-acid and high molecular weight aldehydes. The latter were present only when the material was heated to 212 degrees- F. Total nuisance dust levels were below the limit allowed. Noise level monitoring indicated no excess levels of noise exposure. The authors conclude that no overexposures to acetic-acid, nuisance particulates or hazardous noise were identified during the survey.
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(1992) Nabisco Brands, Inc., Seville, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 880, an investigation was begun of possible airway irritation symptoms among workers exposed to the artificial food sweetener aspartame (22839470) at Nabisco Brands, Inc. (SIC-2099) in Seville, Ohio. Aspartame had been used as a food additive in sugar free products since 1983 at this facility. A series of on site surveys was conducted to evaluate work practices, assess employee exposures to airborne dusts, and condu... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 880, an investigation was begun of possible airway irritation symptoms among workers exposed to the artificial food sweetener aspartame (22839470) at Nabisco Brands, Inc. (SIC-2099) in Seville, Ohio. Aspartame had been used as a food additive in sugar free products since 1983 at this facility. A series of on site surveys was conducted to evaluate work practices, assess employee exposures to airborne dusts, and conduct a medical evaluation. Results of the personal breathing zone air samples ranged from nondetectable to 301 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3). Area air samples ranged from nondetectable to 83microg/m3. No relationship was found between airborne aspartame exposure and respiratory symptoms or changes in peak expiratory flow rates. No relationship was found between reported symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness recorded at the time of peak flow measurements and the presence of aspartame. No dose response relationship was found for respiratory symptoms recorded during peak expiratory flow rates and exposure to aspartame. The authors conclude that there was no evidence for any occupationally related lower respiratory disorder at this facility. The authors recommend that improvements be made to local exhaust ventilation in several areas of the facility, and also recommend implementation of a respiratory protection program.
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(1992) New England Lead Burning Co. (NELCO), Eaton Metals, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Director of the Department of Safety and Health, United Association of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry, a follow up investigation was undertaken to determine if worker exposures to lead (7439921) had been reduced as a result of changes made after an initial evaluation at the New England Lead Burning Company (SIC-3443) project at Eaton Metals, Salt Lake City, Utah. The job at Eaton Metals involved the lining of two 85 foot long, 14.5 foot diameter steel ta... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Director of the Department of Safety and Health, United Association of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry, a follow up investigation was undertaken to determine if worker exposures to lead (7439921) had been reduced as a result of changes made after an initial evaluation at the New England Lead Burning Company (SIC-3443) project at Eaton Metals, Salt Lake City, Utah. The job at Eaton Metals involved the lining of two 85 foot long, 14.5 foot diameter steel tanks with lead sheets. All 22 employees on the day of the study provided blood specimens. The mean blood lead level was 23 micrograms/100 grams whole blood with a range of 4 to 38. No employee had creatinine (CR) levels above the normal range. Two employees had blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels above the normal range. Time weighted average exposures for airborne lead ranged from 23 to 1790 micrograms/cubic meter of air; all but one were above the Utah OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 micrograms/cubic meter. The short term lead concentrations for the various jobs ranged from 53 to 450 micrograms/cubic meter. Wipe samples revealed the presence of lead contamination on table surfaces in the lunch room, on workers' clothes and shoes, in the workers' cars, and on the floor of the change room. The authors conclude that employee blood lead levels were reduced below the level requiring bimonthly testing. However, personal breathing zone lead levels were above the PEL and wipe samples still indicated lead contamination. The authors recommend that additional efforts be made to clean up lead contamination. Respirators should be stored in protective bags.
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(1992) New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Cooperstown, New York. (Click to open report) In response to a technical assistance request from the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Cooperstown, New York a joint investigation was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of a dust control method. Air samples were collected to assess the effectiveness of water applied to hay bales in reducing airborne dust concentrations during the chopping of bedding at dairy farms (SIC-0241). Eight different barns were sampled over a 4 day period. During dry chopping operations, the av... (Click to show more)In response to a technical assistance request from the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Cooperstown, New York a joint investigation was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of a dust control method. Air samples were collected to assess the effectiveness of water applied to hay bales in reducing airborne dust concentrations during the chopping of bedding at dairy farms (SIC-0241). Eight different barns were sampled over a 4 day period. During dry chopping operations, the average personal exposure to inhalable dust was 11.31mg/m3. The average exposure from wet chopping operations was 2.76mg/m3. The average area inhalable dust concentration from dry chopping was 11.08 mg/m3 and from wet chopping was 2.65 mg/m3. Endotoxin concentrations found on personal inhalable dust samples during dry sampling conditions had an average of 5,968 endotoxin units (EU) per cubic meter (m3) of air. Samples from wet chopping operations had lower endotoxin concentrations with an average of 1260 EU/m3. Fungal concentrations averaged 6.1x10(6) colony forming units per cubic meter (CFU/m3) in dry conditions and 4.9x10(5) CFU/m3 in wet conditions. Bacterial concentrations were also lower during wet chopping. The authors conclude that wet chopping significantly reduced the concentration of airborne dusts, endotoxins, viable fungi, mesophilic bacteria and gram negative bacteria.
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(1992) Northwest Incinerator, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the City of Philadelphia and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, District Council 33, Local 427, an evaluation was undertaken of possible hazardous working conditions at the Northwest Incinerator (SIC-4953), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Full shift personal breathing zone and general area air samples were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), total dust, respirable dust, crystalline... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the City of Philadelphia and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, District Council 33, Local 427, an evaluation was undertaken of possible hazardous working conditions at the Northwest Incinerator (SIC-4953), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Full shift personal breathing zone and general area air samples were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), total dust, respirable dust, crystalline silica (14808607), and metals. Airborne concentrations of respirable nuisance dust were all well below the permissible exposure limits. Concentrations of PCDDs/PCDFs expressed as 2,3,7,8- tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (1746016) (TCDD) equivalents ranged from 0.01 to 12.8 picograms per cubic meter. There was also significant lead (7439921) surface contamination in one wipe sample. The authors conclude that possible exposures to PCDDs/PCDFs via inhalation and from surface contamination did exist. The facility ceased operations immediately after the evaluation. The authors recommend measures to cut down on exposure should the site be reopened for use or remediation.
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(1992) Ohio Civil Rights Commission, 200 Goodall Complex, Cincinnati, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to an employer request, an investigation was undertaken of poor indoor air quality at the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (SIC- 9441), Cincinnati, Ohio. The Commission occupied three floors of an office building which was newly renovated in 1985. Complaints began following water leaks from condensate pans in the air handling units on third floor east and third floor west beginning in August of 1990. Carbon-dioxide (124389) concentrations, temperature and relative humidity were measured ... (Click to show more)In response to an employer request, an investigation was undertaken of poor indoor air quality at the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (SIC- 9441), Cincinnati, Ohio. The Commission occupied three floors of an office building which was newly renovated in 1985. Complaints began following water leaks from condensate pans in the air handling units on third floor east and third floor west beginning in August of 1990. Carbon-dioxide (124389) concentrations, temperature and relative humidity were measured during the study at six different locations inside the building. Carbon-dioxide levels rose from a mean of 366 parts per million (ppm) in the morning to a mean of 638ppm in the afternoon. Temperatures ranged from 69.9 to 75.3 degrees-F. Relative humidity ranged from 51.5 to 75.5%. Over half the employees had experienced symptoms such as nasal congestion, headaches, or eye irritation while in the building. The filters for the outside air supply fit poorly and allowed dust from the outside to go around the filters, permitting entrance of organic material into the air handling system. Significant moisture blowby of the cooling coils was also noted. According to the authors, there was no clear evidence that the employees' respiratory symptoms were caused by contaminants in the building; however, the presence of thermophilic actinomycetes within this building raises concern. The authors recommend specific measures to help reduce complaints related to the indoor climate of the building.
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