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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
(2018) Indoor environmental quality concerns among hospital employees working in a radiology department. (Click to open report) The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from a union representative at a hospital. The request concerned indoor environmental quality (IEQ), comfort issues including heat, and foreign particles coming out of the supply air vents in the Radiology Department and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Suites. Employees reported symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation and were concerned that breathing the particles would cause long-term health effects. We interviewed employees ab... (Click to show more)The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from a union representative at a hospital. The request concerned indoor environmental quality (IEQ), comfort issues including heat, and foreign particles coming out of the supply air vents in the Radiology Department and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Suites. Employees reported symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation and were concerned that breathing the particles would cause long-term health effects. We interviewed employees about their health concerns; reviewed illness and injury logs, ventilation system diagrams, a consultant's IEQ assessment report, and medical records; took real-time air samples for carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, temperature, and relative humidity, and bulk samples from different areas of the ventilation systems; and evaluated the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. Temperature, carbon dioxide, and relative humidity were within the recommended levels for indoor work environments. Carbon monoxide levels were well below occupational exposure limits. We found that air was bypassing the filtration systems and that the outdoor air intakes were at or below ground level. The black particulates in the workplace contained soot, which indicated that exhaust particles were entering the workspace. Gray material in the ventilation systems was mostly cellulose. Over half of the employees reported being concerned about work exposures. The perception of the lack of management action in addressing these concerns may be linked to why some employees expressed distrust in the employer's willingness to look out for the well-being of employees. We recommended improving preventative maintenance on the ventilation systems and working with a mechanical engineer so that air supplied to the workspace meets current indoor environmental quality guidelines for health care facilities.
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(2018) Lead and isocyanate exposure in a maintenance facility with small arms repair and vehicle painting shops. (Click to open report) The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from a small arms repair and vehicle maintenance facility. A manager was concerned about airborne lead and take-home lead exposures in the small arms repair shop as well as employees' exposures to hazardous painting products, including isocyanates in the military vehicle painting shop. To evaluate employee exposures to lead we collected personal air, hand, and surface wipe samples and we evaluated blood lead levels. For isocyanates, we coll... (Click to show more)The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from a small arms repair and vehicle maintenance facility. A manager was concerned about airborne lead and take-home lead exposures in the small arms repair shop as well as employees' exposures to hazardous painting products, including isocyanates in the military vehicle painting shop. To evaluate employee exposures to lead we collected personal air, hand, and surface wipe samples and we evaluated blood lead levels. For isocyanates, we collected personal air samples for hexamethylene diisocyanate and tested the employees' blood to look for isocyanate exposure and sensitization. We evaluated the ventilations systems in both areas. Although we detected no lead in the personal air samples, we did find lead on employees' hands after they had washed them, and one elevated blood lead level. We found hexamethylene diisocyanate in the air in the spray paint shop, and one employee had a blood test, which showed antibodies to a specific isocyanate (isophorone diisocyanate) in the paint, confirming recent exposure. We observed multiple opportunities for dermal exposure to paints that contained isocyanates. The firing line of the range had turbulent airflow, creating irregular mixing of air. The spray paint booth had missing and damaged filters and did not adequately remove paint overspray from the breathing zone of employees. We recommended the employer start an isocyanate medical surveillance program, use a lead removal product for hand washing and cleaning work surfaces, and have employees wear nitrile gloves while repairing firearms. We also recommended the employer provide eye and face protection and appropriately-sized protective suits for spray painting vehicles. Ventilation recommendations included reducing firing line turbulence and replacing the spray paint booth with a downdraft ventilation paint booth.
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(2018) Lead exposures at a bullet manufacturer. (Click to open report) The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from the owner at a lead bullet manufacturer who was concerned about employees' lead exposure. We observed work processes, work practices, and ventilation; measured employees' blood lead levels and exposures to lead, antimony, and tin in air and on surfaces; and interviewed employees about their work and their health. We found nine of 10 employees, including those working in the packaging and shipping bay, had blood lead levels that were eq... (Click to show more)The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from the owner at a lead bullet manufacturer who was concerned about employees' lead exposure. We observed work processes, work practices, and ventilation; measured employees' blood lead levels and exposures to lead, antimony, and tin in air and on surfaces; and interviewed employees about their work and their health. We found nine of 10 employees, including those working in the packaging and shipping bay, had blood lead levels that were equal to or above 5 micrograms per deciliter, a level that NIOSH considers high. The employees with the highest blood lead levels worked in the casting bay and coating room. We found lead on employees' hands after they washed up at lunch and before they went home. We found lead on surfaces in non-production areas such as the employee break room, the office, and an outdoor picnic table employees used. Airborne metal exposures were below current occupational exposure limits; full-shift personal air exposures to lead ranged from 2.3 to 20 micrograms per cubic meter of air. The company did not have a written lead monitoring or lead control program. Our recommendations included improving ventilation in the bullet casting bay; starting a lead program; using wet cleaning methods for potentially contaminated surfaces; providing an on-site laundry, dedicated work clothes, and separate lockers for street and work clothes, and not allowing employees to consume or store food or drink in bullet production areas.
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(2018) Nonproduction area air and surface lead levels, employee blood lead levels, and psychosocial factors at a battery manufacturing plant. (Click to open report) The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a management request from a lead-acid battery manufacturing company who wanted assistance in lowering employees' blood lead levels. We focused our environmental sampling on nonproduction plant areas and determining if employees were unknowingly carrying lead dust into areas generally regarded as clean. We evaluated air and surface lead concentrations in nonproduction areas that were generally regarded as "clean," such as the cafeteria, locker rooms, ... (Click to show more)The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a management request from a lead-acid battery manufacturing company who wanted assistance in lowering employees' blood lead levels. We focused our environmental sampling on nonproduction plant areas and determining if employees were unknowingly carrying lead dust into areas generally regarded as clean. We evaluated air and surface lead concentrations in nonproduction areas that were generally regarded as "clean," such as the cafeteria, locker rooms, and front office. We reviewed employee blood lead testing results, lead in air sample results, and related company written health and safety programs. We asked employees about their medical and work history, their health concerns about work, and about the lead hazard control program. Surface and hand wipe results and area air sample results showed continued exposure potential in all the nonproduction areas we tested. However, we found only one hand wipe (out of 29) that was positive for lead before the employee exited the plant after the shift; all these employees reported showering and using lead removal soap immediately before exiting. The average blood lead levels of employees' means were >/= 10 micrograms per deciliter, though the overall blood lead level averages declined over the years for which we reviewed data. Some airborne lead exposures in the past exceeded occupational exposure limits in all production departments. The company had longstanding medical surveillance and exposure assessment programs, employee health and safety training, and was aware of primary exposure control challenges in their production areas. Opportunities to minimize lead dust exposure include improving local exhaust and general ventilation, maintaining positive air pressurization in clean nonproduction areas, redesigning the locker rooms to have distinct clean and dirty sides, and potentially requiring respirator use for all employees at a job site where an exposure is above the OSHA action limit (the level at which the company requires respiratory protection). We recommended the employees take the manufacturer's recommended amount of time to walk through the air shower when exiting the production area, and not giving himself or herself any type of synthetic or natural chelation therapy.
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(2017) Dust exposures in a spice shop. (Click to open report) The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from a spice shop. The employer was concerned about employee exposures to dust during spice grinding operations. We measured the amount of dust in the air. We observed work activities, production processes, and personal protective equipment use. We interviewed employees and asked about their work, medical history, and work-related health concerns. Exposures were highest for employees grinding, blending, and mixing spices. The highest inhala... (Click to show more)The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from a spice shop. The employer was concerned about employee exposures to dust during spice grinding operations. We measured the amount of dust in the air. We observed work activities, production processes, and personal protective equipment use. We interviewed employees and asked about their work, medical history, and work-related health concerns. Exposures were highest for employees grinding, blending, and mixing spices. The highest inhalable dust concentrations were in the grinding room where employees ground spices using a mechanical grinder and mixed and blended bulk spices by hand and with a commercial blender. Employees reported occasional brief upper respiratory irritation from work exposures but no persistent symptoms. Although respiratory protection was worn by employees when grinding spices, its use was voluntary and employees did not always use it correctly. As some spice dusts have been reported to be allergens, and the dusts are capable of causing occupational asthma and dermatitis, we encouraged the employer to take the approach that is most protective of employees' health in controlling exposures to spice dust. Installing LEV and improving work practices and material handling techniques to limit dust and aerosol exposures to the lowest feasible limits are needed to reduce employee exposures. Until LEV is installed, employees grinding, mixing, and blending spices should be required to wear respiratory protection. We also recommended the company enhance employee training on the proper use of personal protective equipment.
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(2017) Employee exposures at a plastic bag sealing plant. (Click to open report) The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from an employer who was concerned about employee exposures to the smoke created when heat-sealing polyethylene plastic bags. Two types of bag-making machines were used, wicketers and flatbed baggers. This plant did not produce the polyethylene film used to manufacture the bags. We collected personal air samples for acetaldehyde, acrolein, formaldehyde, and respirable dust. We collected area air samples for carbon monoxide. We used ventilat... (Click to show more)The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from an employer who was concerned about employee exposures to the smoke created when heat-sealing polyethylene plastic bags. Two types of bag-making machines were used, wicketers and flatbed baggers. This plant did not produce the polyethylene film used to manufacture the bags. We collected personal air samples for acetaldehyde, acrolein, formaldehyde, and respirable dust. We collected area air samples for carbon monoxide. We used ventilation smoke tubes to observe airflow patterns near the bag sealing machines and to evaluate the effectiveness of the recently installed local exhaust ventilation systems. Full-shift personal exposures to respirable dust were low, and short-term samples for acetaldehyde and formaldehyde were below occupational exposure limits. There was a slight visible smoke in the wicketer area. We measured carbon monoxide concentrations up to 19 ppm near the operator stations for the two wicketers that were running, and up to 47 ppm at the operator station near the flatbed bagger. We found that although employees reported that smoke in the wicketer area had decreased since the installation of local exhaust ventilation systems, these systems could be improved. We recommended moving the slot hood closer to the wicketer, tightening loose connections between the hood and the exhaust duct, and eliminating the sagging and sharp turns in the flexible duct. We also recommend forming a health and safety committee consisting of employees and managers.
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(2017) Exposure to crystalline silica, welding fume, and isocyanates during water heater manufacturing. (Click to open report) The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a union request about employees' exposures to silica during tank finishing operations, welding fume during tank fabrication, and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) during tank insulation using a spray foam application. We measured exposure to airborne crystalline silica, welding fume, and MDI, held medical interviews, administered medical questionnaires, and collected blood for biomarkers of isocyanate exposure and sensitization. We found overexpo... (Click to show more)The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a union request about employees' exposures to silica during tank finishing operations, welding fume during tank fabrication, and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) during tank insulation using a spray foam application. We measured exposure to airborne crystalline silica, welding fume, and MDI, held medical interviews, administered medical questionnaires, and collected blood for biomarkers of isocyanate exposure and sensitization. We found overexposure to crystalline silica during brushing, tank and flue spraying, and mill room operations. Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate and welding emissions were below occupational exposure limits. Employees reported symptoms consistent with work-related asthma. Two employees had MDI-specific IgE, consistent with MDI asthma, in their blood. Five employees had MDI-specific IgG in their blood, indicating recent exposure to MDI despite the use of engineering controls and personal protective equipment. Some employees in foam booths cut slits in their Tyvek suit to aid in cooling, creating a potential for skin exposure to MDI. Some ventilation controls were either not working or were ineffective in containing airborne contaminants. Improvements in ventilation system design, use, and maintenance are needed. The employer should also begin a medical surveillance program for employees exposed to MDI and silica and provide training on the hazards of working with both.
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(2017) Exposures and respiratory health at a coffee roasting and packaging facility and attached retail café. (Click to open report) In October 2015, the Health Hazard Evaluation Program of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health received a request from the management of a coffee roasting and packaging facility with an attached café regarding concerns about exposures to and health effects from diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione during coffee roasting and grinding. In March 2016, we conducted an industrial hygiene survey, ventilation assessment, and medical survey at the facility. The industrial hygiene survey con... (Click to show more)In October 2015, the Health Hazard Evaluation Program of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health received a request from the management of a coffee roasting and packaging facility with an attached café regarding concerns about exposures to and health effects from diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione during coffee roasting and grinding. In March 2016, we conducted an industrial hygiene survey, ventilation assessment, and medical survey at the facility. The industrial hygiene survey consisted of collecting personal breathing zone and area air samples for alpha-diketones (diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione). Bulk samples of whole bean and ground roasted coffee were collected to evaluate the potential for emission of diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione. We used continuous monitoring instruments to measure total volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity in specific areas and during tasks. We also conducted a ventilation assessment in the production, café, and office areas. The medical survey consisted of a health questionnaire and breathing tests. Three of 20 personal full-shift samples exceeded the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended exposure limit for diacetyl of 5 parts per billion in the production area including a roaster operator (5.8 parts per billion), one production employee (5.9 parts per billion), and the production manager (5.1 parts per billion). Fullshift air concentrations of diacetyl were below this exposure limit for personal and area air samples collected in office areas and the attached retail café. Full-shift air concentrations of 2,3-pentanedione were below the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended exposure limit of 9.3 parts per billion for both personal and area air samples collected in the production area, office areas, and attached retail café. Through task-based sampling, we identified specific work tasks that resulted in elevated diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione air concentrations. Specifically, grinding roasted coffee beans resulted in two separate peak exposures to diacetyl (maximum 65.9 parts per billion) and 2,3-pentanedione (maximum 39.6 parts billion). Scooping roasted beans by hand from a roasted bean storage bin also had elevated peak exposures with maximum exposures of 151 parts per billion diacetyl and 182 parts per billion 2,3-pentanedione. Nose and eye symptoms were the most commonly reported symptoms. Wheezing was the most commonly reported lower respiratory symptom; 1.7 times as many employees as expected reported this symptom than in the U.S. population with a similar demographic distribution. One participant had severe airways obstruction and possible small airways abnormality on oscillometry, both improved after bronchodilator. Four other participants had abnormalities on oscillomtery but normal spirometry. One participant had high exhaled nitric oxide, a marker of allergic airways inflammation. We recommend increasing dilution ventilation and/or installing local exhaust ventilation. We also recommend administrative controls such as modification of work practices, training employees about work-place hazards, and instituting a medical monitoring program to identify any employees who may be developing work-related lung disease (e.g., asthma, obliterative bronchiolitis) and to help management prioritize interventions to prevent occupational lung disease.
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(2017) Exposures and respiratory health at a coffee roasting and packaging facility. (Click to open report) In October 2015, the Health Hazard Evaluation Program of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health received a request from management at a coffee roasting and packaging company. The request stated concerns about health issues related to exposure to diacetyl during coffee roasting, grinding, and packaging. In April 2016, we conducted an industrial hygiene survey and ventilation assessment at the facility. The industrial hygiene survey consisted of the collection of air samples and... (Click to show more)In October 2015, the Health Hazard Evaluation Program of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health received a request from management at a coffee roasting and packaging company. The request stated concerns about health issues related to exposure to diacetyl during coffee roasting, grinding, and packaging. In April 2016, we conducted an industrial hygiene survey and ventilation assessment at the facility. The industrial hygiene survey consisted of the collection of air samples and bulk samples of coffee for the analysis of diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione. Continuous monitoring instruments were used to monitor total volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity in specific areas and during tasks. We returned in June 2016 to perform a medical survey. The medical survey consisted of a health questionnaire and breathing tests. Sixteen of the 27 personal full-shift air samples exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit for diacetyl of 5 parts per billion. These sixteen personal air samples were collected on employees with primary job duties on the production floor. High full-shift and task-based diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione exposure measurements were observed on employees that ground coffee, packaged ground coffee, or worked in areas near ground coffee. Areas with ground coffee present, specifically the main grinders and new weigh-fill machine, consistently had the highest levels of diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, total volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide. We observed high instantaneous levels of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione during grinding. Carbon monoxide levels near the main grinders exceeded the NIOSH ceiling limit of 200 parts per million. Carbon dioxide levels were low throughout most of the facility. Mucous membrane symptoms, specifically eye, nose, and sinus symptoms, were the most commonly reported symptoms. Some employees reported their symptoms were caused or aggravated by green coffee bean and roasted coffee dust, bagging ground coffee, or cleaning the roaster. Breathing trouble was the most commonly reported lower respiratory symptom followed by wheezing and chest tightness. All administered spirometry tests (n=13) were normal. Two of 13 participants had high exhaled nitric oxide, a marker of allergic airways inflammation. We recommend installing local exhaust ventilation and training employees about workplace hazards. We also recommend a medical monitoring program to identify any employees who may be developing work-related lung disease (e.g., asthma, obliterative bronchiolitis) and to help management prioritize interventions to prevent occupational lung disease.
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(2017) Exposures and respiratory health at a coffee roasting and packaging facility. (Click to open report) In September 2015, the Health Hazard Evaluation Program of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request from the management of a coffee roasting and packaging facility regarding concerns about exposures to and health effects from diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione during coffee roasting, grinding, and packaging. In June 2016, we conducted a ventilation assessment, an industrial hygiene survey, and a medical survey. The industrial hygiene survey consisted of the... (Click to show more)In September 2015, the Health Hazard Evaluation Program of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request from the management of a coffee roasting and packaging facility regarding concerns about exposures to and health effects from diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione during coffee roasting, grinding, and packaging. In June 2016, we conducted a ventilation assessment, an industrial hygiene survey, and a medical survey. The industrial hygiene survey consisted of the collection of air samples and bulk samples of coffee for the analysis of diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione. Continuous monitoring instruments were used to monitor total volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity in specific areas and during tasks. We also measured levels of carbon monoxide in employees' exhaled breath. The medical survey consisted of a health questionnaire and breathing tests. Overall, time-weighted average air levels of diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione were elevated for employees performing duties near the roaster and grinder. Seven of the 10 personal full-shift air samples were above the NIOSH recommended exposure limit for diacetyl of 5 parts per billion, and five of the 10 full-shift air samples were above the recommended exposure limit for 2,3-pentanedione. All personal air samples with diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione concentrations above the recommended exposure limits were collected on employees with primary job duties in the production area. High full-shift and task-based diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione exposure measurements were observed on employees that ground coffee. We observed high instantaneous levels of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione during grinding. Carbon monoxide and total volatile organic compound levels near the grinder increased sharply when an employee ground roasted beans for 5-pound bags of coffee. Carbon dioxide levels were low throughout most of the facility. Mucous membrane symptoms, specifically eye, nose, and sinus symptoms, were the most commonly reported symptoms. Wheezing or whistling in the chest was the most commonly reported lower respiratory symptom, and was about two times as common as expected compared with the US population of the same age, race/ethnicity, sex, and cigarette smoking distribution. One of the 15 participants had abnormal spirometry. We recommend a combination of engineering and administrative controls to minimize employee exposures. We also recommend a medical monitoring program to identify any employees who might be developing work-related lung disease (e.g., asthma, obliterative bronchiolitis) and to help management prioritize interventions to prevent occupational lung disease.
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