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HHE Search Results
1058 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
(1991) International Salt Company, Avery Island, Louisiana. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the project director of the International Chemical Workers Union, an evaluation was made of exposure to asbestos (1332214) and diesel emissions at the International Salt Company (SIC-1479) mine and mill, Avery Island, Louisiana. The only detectable overexposures were to coal-tar pitch volatiles (CTPV) and nitrogen-dioxide (10102440) (NO2). Eleven of 14 samples for CTPV showed detectable levels ranging from 0.06 to average of 0.1mg/m3. Nine full shift personal NO2 sa... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the project director of the International Chemical Workers Union, an evaluation was made of exposure to asbestos (1332214) and diesel emissions at the International Salt Company (SIC-1479) mine and mill, Avery Island, Louisiana. The only detectable overexposures were to coal-tar pitch volatiles (CTPV) and nitrogen-dioxide (10102440) (NO2). Eleven of 14 samples for CTPV showed detectable levels ranging from 0.06 to average of 0.1mg/m3. Nine full shift personal NO2 samples were collected and gave concentrations ranging from 2.2 to 3.5 parts per million (ppm). All nine samples exceeded the NIOSH ceiling of 1ppm. Airborne asbestos was not detected, but settle dust and bulk materials contained asbestos. A medical study of 159 employees showed 14 workers with mild obstruction, one with moderate obstruction and one with severe obstruction on pulmonary function tests. The authors conclude that overexposures to coal-tar pitch volatiles and NO2 existed at the time of the survey. The authors recommend specific measures to reduce exposure to workplace contaminants. A followup medical survey is recommended.
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(1991) Northland Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Columbus, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from management at the Northland Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (SIC-8051), Columbus, Ohio, a study was undertaken of headaches in workers in the laundry facility and upper respiratory infections associated with delivering Attends diapers. The study included employee interviews, environmental monitoring, and an assessment of the adequacy of the design and performance of the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system. Northland Terrace was a nursing and ... (Click to show more)In response to a request from management at the Northland Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (SIC-8051), Columbus, Ohio, a study was undertaken of headaches in workers in the laundry facility and upper respiratory infections associated with delivering Attends diapers. The study included employee interviews, environmental monitoring, and an assessment of the adequacy of the design and performance of the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system. Northland Terrace was a nursing and rehabilitation center. Employees who work in the laundry facility reported that they experience headache while present in this area which was renovated in 1989. Carbon-dioxide (124389) concentrations exceeded 1000 parts per million. Biologically significant carbon-monoxide (630080) concentrations were not observed. Temperatures in the laundry rooms ranged from 86 to 92 degrees-F. Relative humidities ranged from 48 to 56%. A possible reaction to the dust or the fragrance associated with Attends diapers was not followed to completion as the nursing facility stopped using this product during the study. The authors conclude that there was an inadequate supply of outside air in the laundry and basement areas. The authors recommend measures to improve the ventilation system and reduce the potential for heat stress in the laundry.
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(1991) Pensacola City Hall, Pensacola, Florida. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the city of Pensacola for technical assistance, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Pensacola City Hall (SIC-9199), Pensacola, Florida. The seven story building was completed in 1985. The evaluation focused on floors 3 through 7, where most of the workers were located. The carbon-dioxide (124389) concentrations on these floors were below 1000 parts per million. All work areas surveyed were within the guidelines for both temperature... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the city of Pensacola for technical assistance, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Pensacola City Hall (SIC-9199), Pensacola, Florida. The seven story building was completed in 1985. The evaluation focused on floors 3 through 7, where most of the workers were located. The carbon-dioxide (124389) concentrations on these floors were below 1000 parts per million. All work areas surveyed were within the guidelines for both temperature and relative humidity. The concentrations of respirable particulate matter, measured with a direct reading aerosol monitor, ranged from 2 to 70 micrograms per cubic meter. Many of the workers felt their work areas were too dusty and others considered them too noisy. Over half the workers on the third floor considered their work areas too stuffy. Smoking was not restricted to smoking areas or to lounges which were provided with a dedicated air handling system to reduce the possibility or reentrainment and recirculation of any secondary cigarette smoke. The author concludes that the indoor air quality parameters measured were within acceptable levels. An indoor air quality did exist due to the smoking policy. Minor ventilation repairs are recommended.
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(1991) Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) In response to a confidential request from employees, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. (SIC-2711), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Approximately 65 employees worked in the track six mail room on the night of the study. The evaluation was conducted in the winter, when the ventilation system was shut down, and fresh air is provided by infiltration alone. Environmental monitoring was conducted to determine employee exposure to newsprint du... (Click to show more)In response to a confidential request from employees, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. (SIC-2711), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Approximately 65 employees worked in the track six mail room on the night of the study. The evaluation was conducted in the winter, when the ventilation system was shut down, and fresh air is provided by infiltration alone. Environmental monitoring was conducted to determine employee exposure to newsprint dust and ink mist. Air sampling results did not indicate any contaminants in levels which could be considered unacceptable. Eight hour time weighted average (TWA) particulate concentrations ranged from 0.01mg/m3 to 0.32mg/m3. The amounts of ink mist in 15 samples were below detectable limits. No aldehydes or oxides of nitrogen were detected. Seven of the 14 workers interviewed reported upper respiratory and/or eye irritation that worsened while they were at work. Temperatures ranged from 71 to 85 degrees-F and relative humidity from less than 10 to 23%. The authors conclude that workers in the track six mail room are not at risk of harmful exposures to newsprint dust, ink mist, or diesel exhaust emissions. Eye and respiratory irritation may result from relying on infiltration alone to bring outside air into the area. The authors recommend that an effort be made to reduce the heat and increase the relative humidity at the site.
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(1991) Pilot Industrial Batteries, Kankakee, Illinois. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Illinois Department of Public Health, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at Pilot Industrial Batteries (SIC-3691), Kankakee, Illinois. The company employed 41 workers, manufacturing custom lead/acid batteries. Personal breathing zone air samples were collected and analyzed for lead (7439921), arsenic (7440382), and 29 other metals. General air samples for lead analysis were collected in the lunch room and in the changing room adjacen... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Illinois Department of Public Health, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at Pilot Industrial Batteries (SIC-3691), Kankakee, Illinois. The company employed 41 workers, manufacturing custom lead/acid batteries. Personal breathing zone air samples were collected and analyzed for lead (7439921), arsenic (7440382), and 29 other metals. General air samples for lead analysis were collected in the lunch room and in the changing room adjacent to the pasting area. Personal breathing zone air concentrations of lead ranged from below 10 to 846 micrograms/cubic meter. One personal breathing zone sample had a time weighted average arsenic concentration of 3.8 micrograms/cubic meter. Blood lead levels ranged from 12 to 66 micrograms/deciliter. The authors conclude that employees were at risk for lead exposure at levels that constitute a health hazard. Half mask respirators did not provide adequate protection in some areas of the facility. The authors recommend measures to reduce exposures, including better use of existing local engineering controls, improved respiratory protection practices, and the establishment of a formal biological monitoring program.
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(1991) Rubbermaid, Inc., Reynolds, Indiana. (Click to open report) In response to a request from a management representative of Rubbermaid, Inc. (SIC-3089), Reynolds, Indiana, an investigation was undertaken of potential exposures to styrene (100425), formaldehyde (50000), and dust at the facility. The facility employed about 150 workers in the production areas manufacturing thermoset plastic cookware products. The highest potential for exposure to airborne styrene was in the compounding department where styrene containing polyester resins are used. Two short t... (Click to show more)In response to a request from a management representative of Rubbermaid, Inc. (SIC-3089), Reynolds, Indiana, an investigation was undertaken of potential exposures to styrene (100425), formaldehyde (50000), and dust at the facility. The facility employed about 150 workers in the production areas manufacturing thermoset plastic cookware products. The highest potential for exposure to airborne styrene was in the compounding department where styrene containing polyester resins are used. Two short term styrene exposures were measured at 186 and 142 parts per million (ppm), which exceeded the NIOSH and OSHA short term limits of 100ppm. Seven area samples collected in the pressroom for formaldehyde ranged from 0.5 to 1.0ppm. Two and a half hour personal breathing zone samples for total dust showed a 31mg/m3 result. At a second follow up study the airborne styrene concentration peaked at 7.6ppm. The authors conclude that short-term exposures to styrene and full shift exposures to formaldehyde were potentially hazardous to workers. The authors recommend the use of personal protective equipment and ventilation systems to reduce exposures.
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(1991) Schulte Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a confidential request from employees of the Schulte Corporation (SIC-3496), Cincinnati, Ohio, an evaluation was undertaken of complaints of chest tightness, itching, metallic taste in the mouth, and discharge of black dust from the noses of workers in the machine shop of the facility. The facility was involved in the manufacturing and shipping of epoxy coated steel wire shelving. Total dust samples taken in the breathing zone of the workers ranged from 0.49 to 4.78mg/m3, well bel... (Click to show more)In response to a confidential request from employees of the Schulte Corporation (SIC-3496), Cincinnati, Ohio, an evaluation was undertaken of complaints of chest tightness, itching, metallic taste in the mouth, and discharge of black dust from the noses of workers in the machine shop of the facility. The facility was involved in the manufacturing and shipping of epoxy coated steel wire shelving. Total dust samples taken in the breathing zone of the workers ranged from 0.49 to 4.78mg/m3, well below the permissible limits. Respirable dust samples ranged from 0.05 to 0.43mg/m3. Exposures to nitrogen oxides were well below acceptable limits. Aldehydes were not detected in samples evaluating exposure to two resistance welders. The NIOSH ceiling level of 0.1 part per million for ozone (10028156) was exceeded near welders. Six workers interviewed reported symptoms including black nasal discharge, headaches, sore throat, cough, hoarseness of voice, metallic taste and chest tightness. There was a potential ergonomic problem due to repetitive wrist motion. The authors conclude that a potential hazard from ozone exposure existed. The authors recommend measures to reduce exposures and development of a program for the prevention of cumulative trauma.
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(1991) Seville Centrifugal Bronze Inc., Seville, Ohio. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Ohio Department of Health, an evaluation was made of worker exposure to lead (7439921) at Seville Centrifugal Bronze Inc. (SIC-3366), Seville, Ohio. The company used about 25 different alloys, with lead contents ranging from 0.5 to 8%. At the time of the visit, there were eight production workers and one foreman at the foundry. The company required half mask respirators with high efficiency particulate air filters to be worn in the foundry production area as wel... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Ohio Department of Health, an evaluation was made of worker exposure to lead (7439921) at Seville Centrifugal Bronze Inc. (SIC-3366), Seville, Ohio. The company used about 25 different alloys, with lead contents ranging from 0.5 to 8%. At the time of the visit, there were eight production workers and one foreman at the foundry. The company required half mask respirators with high efficiency particulate air filters to be worn in the foundry production area as well as other safety equipment. Personal breathing zone air concentrations were below the safety limits for several trace elements. However, cadmium (7440439) levels exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit of lowest feasible exposure. Lead concentrations ranged from 98 to 230 micrograms/cubic meter and all of the personal breathing zone samples for lead exceeded the recommended limits. The pouring area had no local ventilation controls. The authors conclude that the lead levels constituted a health hazard to the workers. The authors recommend increasing the ventilation capabilities of the system by providing additional local exhaust ventilation during pouring and removal of the slag, use of a vacuum cleaner with high efficiency particulate air filters for cleaning up dust, substitution of a less hazardous mold wash, and separating the eating area from the machining and grinding area.
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(1991) Silver Deer, Boulder, Colorado. (Click to open report) In response to a request from a representative of Silver Deer, Ltd. (SIC-3231), Boulder, Colorado a study was undertaken of lead (7439921) exposure at the facility. The Silver Deer company employed 65 persons in cutting, grinding and polishing crystal into various art objects. The crystal contained about 32% lead. A NIOSH study conducted in 1984 at this site found a mean air lead exposure of 50 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) and a mean blood lead level of 29 micrograms/deciliter (microg/dl) ... (Click to show more)In response to a request from a representative of Silver Deer, Ltd. (SIC-3231), Boulder, Colorado a study was undertaken of lead (7439921) exposure at the facility. The Silver Deer company employed 65 persons in cutting, grinding and polishing crystal into various art objects. The crystal contained about 32% lead. A NIOSH study conducted in 1984 at this site found a mean air lead exposure of 50 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) and a mean blood lead level of 29 micrograms/deciliter (microg/dl) among seven grinding room workers. Local exhaust ventilation was installed after the previous NIOSH study. This study (in 1991) found lead levels in the air from 6.6 to 35.0microg/m3 with a mean of 18microg/m3. The highest exposure was caused when lead crystal was ground on a section of a grinder that had inadequate exhaust ventilation. The mean blood lead level in grinding room workers was 12 microg/dl. These results show a statistically significant decrease in blood lead levels after the installation of local exhaust ventilation. The author concludes that a health hazard was not found at the time of the survey. The author recommends some further improvements in engineering controls and work practices.
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(1991) Social Security Administration, San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the American Federation of Government Employees (EFGE) local 2608, a study was undertaken of possible hazardous working conditions at the Social Security Administration, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The request was made in response to employee concerns and health complaints including cold temperatures, dust, asthma, sinus problems and irritation from tobacco smoke. At the time of the study there were about 70 employees occupying portions of two floors of the 18 story offi... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the American Federation of Government Employees (EFGE) local 2608, a study was undertaken of possible hazardous working conditions at the Social Security Administration, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The request was made in response to employee concerns and health complaints including cold temperatures, dust, asthma, sinus problems and irritation from tobacco smoke. At the time of the study there were about 70 employees occupying portions of two floors of the 18 story office building. During the study no specific health hazards were identified. However, the results of environmental studies did support employee concerns regarding thermal discomfort. Measurements indicated temperature and humidity combinations falling outside of the accepted limits. High relative humidity was noted on these two floors with humidity ranging from 56 to 71%. The authors conclude that there were no identified health hazards. The authors recommend that efforts be made to correct problems and deficiencies concerning the air distribution system, to restrict smoking to specific areas of the building, to prevent moisture incursion into occupied spaces and within the air handling system, and to clean the particulate build up around the air supply diffusers.
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