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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
(1988) Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Olathe, Colorado. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the Colorado Department of Health, an investigation was made at the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (SIC- 2493), Olathe, Colorado, of respiratory problems possibly due to exposures at the workplace. The company produced waferboard using a heat and pressure cured resin/wax binding material containing 4,4- methylenediphenyl-isocyanate (101688) (MDI). Thirteen cases of pulmonary disease (12 cases of asthma, and one case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis) were identified by... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the Colorado Department of Health, an investigation was made at the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (SIC- 2493), Olathe, Colorado, of respiratory problems possibly due to exposures at the workplace. The company produced waferboard using a heat and pressure cured resin/wax binding material containing 4,4- methylenediphenyl-isocyanate (101688) (MDI). Thirteen cases of pulmonary disease (12 cases of asthma, and one case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis) were identified by medical testing in three current and ten former employees. Most of these cases probably originated after the introduction of diisocyanate into the production line and before the currently used ventilation equipment was in place. Two of 23 personal air samples contained quantifiable concentrations of MDI, for time weighted average concentrations of existed from airborne exposure to diisocyanates. There may be a risk of significant exposure during maintenance activities if proper personal protective equipment is not used. Previously sensitized workers may react at very low concentrations. The authors recommend that engineering controls be maintained at a high level, that good housekeeping practices be adhered to, that a regular program of air monitoring be instituted, that signs warning the danger of exposure to diisocyanate be posted, that employees be instructed in the use of personal protective equipment, and that a program for medical screening be adopted.
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(1988) Modern Plating Corporation, Freeport, Illinois. (Click to open report) In response to a confidential request, a study was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Modern Plating Company (SIC- 3471), located in Freeport, Illinois. This company provided electroplating services for a variety of customers who require specialized plating for their products. At the time of the study the company employed 87 salaried and hourly staff. Prior to electroplating the surface of the workpiece was cleaned using solvent, acid, and alkaline materials. While several empl... (Click to show more)In response to a confidential request, a study was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Modern Plating Company (SIC- 3471), located in Freeport, Illinois. This company provided electroplating services for a variety of customers who require specialized plating for their products. At the time of the study the company employed 87 salaried and hourly staff. Prior to electroplating the surface of the workpiece was cleaned using solvent, acid, and alkaline materials. While several employees complained of episodic mucous membrane irritation, there were no chronic work related health effects or nasal perforations noted. Symptoms were often linked to the addition of new acid to the plating baths in areas in which employees were working when the local exhaust ventilation did not function properly. Environmental sampling for cyanides and inorganic acids were all below their respective evaluation criteria. Electroplaters were exposed to cadmium (7440439), chromium (VI) (7440473), and nickel (7440020) in both personal and area samples. The authors recommend that the current ventilation system be evaluated for major deficiencies which adversely affected the performance of the overall system, that local exhaust ventilation systems be evaluated periodically, that employees be provided with a properly selected and fitted respirator, that face shields and other personal protective equipment be provided and used, that better work practices be insisted upon at the site, that improved personal hygiene procedures be stressed, and that nonroutine operations such as those performed by the laboratory technician be evaluated for exposure potentials.
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(1988) Neville Chemical Company, Anaheim, California. (Click to open report) In response to a request from a representative of the Oil Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union, NIOSH conducted an evaluation of possible hazardous working conditions at the Neville Chemical Company, Anaheim, California. Concern had been express about a carbon resin manufacturing process and two cases of liver disease in workers. This company manufactured petroleum resins by polymerizing organic molecules 5 to 12 carbon atoms in size using both a catalytic and a thermal polymerization... (Click to show more)In response to a request from a representative of the Oil Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union, NIOSH conducted an evaluation of possible hazardous working conditions at the Neville Chemical Company, Anaheim, California. Concern had been express about a carbon resin manufacturing process and two cases of liver disease in workers. This company manufactured petroleum resins by polymerizing organic molecules 5 to 12 carbon atoms in size using both a catalytic and a thermal polymerization process. Raw materials consist of cracked petroleum fractions, containing a wide variety of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Most of the data gathered concerning the health of the workers indicated they were in good physical condition and that the causes of those deaths which had been reported had been misrepresented. Three major areas of concern did arise on inspection of the current working conditions. First was a need for an improved method to be used in the periodic cleaning of the clay filter towers. Secondly, there was excessive exposure to boron-trifluoride (7637072) in the treater facility. The third problem involved resin dust exposures working as a packager in the warehouse, particularly when the ventilation system was not functioning properly. Even though the dust levels in this area were below the limits for a nuisance dust, it was not clear whether the resin dusts would constitute a hazard.
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(1988) Polymer Engineering, Inc., Reynolds, Indiana. (Click to open report) In response to a request from Polymer Engineering, Inc. (SIC-3079), Reynolds, Indiana, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working during the manufacture of thermoset microwave cookware and custom molded plastic parts. The facility employed about 150 production workers. Particular attention was given to exposure to styrene (100425) in the Compounding Department. In this department the primary constituents of the plastics were weighed, mixed, blended, extruded, and placed in crates for t... (Click to show more)In response to a request from Polymer Engineering, Inc. (SIC-3079), Reynolds, Indiana, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working during the manufacture of thermoset microwave cookware and custom molded plastic parts. The facility employed about 150 production workers. Particular attention was given to exposure to styrene (100425) in the Compounding Department. In this department the primary constituents of the plastics were weighed, mixed, blended, extruded, and placed in crates for transport to the Pressing Department. The highest personal time weighted average exposures were analyzed and indicated a mean exposure level of 44.6 parts per million (ppm). There were exposure levels for each of the three extruder operators which exceeded the 50.0ppm NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit. Short term personal exposures in the Compounding Department ranged from 26.6 to 39.1ppm. Total dust exposures ranged from 1.0 to 12.3mg/m3 throughout the facility. Personal samples in the Compounding Department showed exposures at 12.3mg/m3. The authors conclude that a health hazard existed from styrene and nuisance dust exposures. The authors recommend changes in the ventilation system, installation of local exhaust ventilation at the extruder operations, and enclosure of the preweigh station.
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(1988) Roofing Construction, Houston, Texas. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at roofing (SIC-3444) sites in Houston, Texas. Roofing systems evaluated included: tear off and application of a coal tar pitch system; tear off and application of a petroleum asphalt system; and application of a single ply modified asphalt system (Koppers). Personal exposures to hazardous materials were highest in the coal tar pitch operat... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at roofing (SIC-3444) sites in Houston, Texas. Roofing systems evaluated included: tear off and application of a coal tar pitch system; tear off and application of a petroleum asphalt system; and application of a single ply modified asphalt system (Koppers). Personal exposures to hazardous materials were highest in the coal tar pitch operation with 85 percent of the coal tar pitch samples having detectable levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAs). Arithmetic mean values for total PNAs and total particulate samples at the coal tar pitch site were 13.1 and 853 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) when the roof was wetted and 63 and 3530microg/m3 meter when the roof was not wetted. At a Koppers site, perchloroethylene (127184) concentrations ranged from undetectable to 2.39mg/m3. Medical evaluation indicated eye and skin irritation and lesions in workers. The authors conclude that workers were exposed to potentially hazardous concentrations of coal tar products at coal tar pitch and petroleum asphalt roofing sites. The author recommends specific measures to reduce exposures, including better personal hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, staying upwind of dust and fumes, wetting roofs before tear off, use of sunscreens and avoiding work during the hours of greatest sun intensity.
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(1988) SAS Circuits, Inc., Littleton, Colorado. (Click to open report) In response to a request from management at SAS Circuits, Inc. (SIC- 3679), an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Littleton, Colorado site. Concern was voiced over the work conditions in the wet processing area, laboratory, lay up, deburring, silk screening, and plate cleaning departments during the production of printed circuit boards. Personal and area samples were collected and analyses performed for Freon-TF (76131), acetone (67641), methyl-isobutyl-ketone (1... (Click to show more)In response to a request from management at SAS Circuits, Inc. (SIC- 3679), an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the Littleton, Colorado site. Concern was voiced over the work conditions in the wet processing area, laboratory, lay up, deburring, silk screening, and plate cleaning departments during the production of printed circuit boards. Personal and area samples were collected and analyses performed for Freon-TF (76131), acetone (67641), methyl-isobutyl-ketone (108101), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556), and butyl-cellosolve (111762); results indicated no hazardous levels existed. Additional breathing zone and area samples were collected for chromium (7440473), copper (7440508), nickel (7440020), and lead (7439921). Copper alone was detected, ranging from 0.001 to 0.23mg/m3. No cyanide was detected in air samples. The author concludes that a hazard did not exist at the time of the survey. The author recommends that employees be educated regarding the toxicology of all chemicals they deal with, that eye wash stations be installed in the plating and etching departments, that the large water hose in the plating department be replaced with several shorter hoses that can be better stored when not in use, that a storage area be designed for all acids and other chemicals used in the plating processes, and that a chemical hood with exhaust fans be installed in the laboratory.
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(1988) Siouxpreme Egg Products, Inc., Sioux Center, Iowa. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the president of Siouxpreme Egg Products, Inc. (SIC-2017), an investigation was made of occupational exposure to egg products at the facility in Sioux Center, Iowa. Previously at this site workers had been documented to have immunoglobulin-E mediated occupational asthma from airborne egg protein exposure. The exposures to iodide ions, acid gases and total and respirable dust levels were all below the acceptable limits. An analysis of bulk samples of the egg products... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the president of Siouxpreme Egg Products, Inc. (SIC-2017), an investigation was made of occupational exposure to egg products at the facility in Sioux Center, Iowa. Previously at this site workers had been documented to have immunoglobulin-E mediated occupational asthma from airborne egg protein exposure. The exposures to iodide ions, acid gases and total and respirable dust levels were all below the acceptable limits. An analysis of bulk samples of the egg products indicated a protein concentration of 28 to 43 percent. A sample of egg wash water contained 19 milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml) of protein. All but one sample for ambient air total protein concentrations were less than 0.78mg/m3. Ambient air respirable protein concentrations were all less than 0.48mg/m3. Ambient air concentrations of ovalbumin, ovomucoid, and lysozyme were all less than 188, 113, and 3.5 micrograms/cubic meter, respectively. One additional worker was demonstrated to have developed immunoglobulin-E mediated occupational asthma at the time of the study. The authors conclude that a health hazard continued to exist from exposure to airborne egg protein. The authors recommend that specific engineering steps be taken in the transfer room to better control the visible aerosol escaping from the freshly washed eggs from the conveyor entrance and exit to the washer. The practice of using compressed air from a hose to remove dust from one's clothing must be discontinued.
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(1988) South Texas Nuclear Project, Wadsworth, Texas. (Click to open report) In response to a confidential request, an evaluation was made of an outbreak of dermatitis among workers at the South Texas Nuclear Project construction site (SIC-1629), Wadsworth, Texas. The dermatitis occurred ten times more frequently among carpenters than other laborers, with the incidence in 1986 being 250 percent greater than it was in 1985. Some workers demonstrated pruritic, macular/papular lesions. Carpenters working on the inside of the power project buildings had a higher incidence of... (Click to show more)In response to a confidential request, an evaluation was made of an outbreak of dermatitis among workers at the South Texas Nuclear Project construction site (SIC-1629), Wadsworth, Texas. The dermatitis occurred ten times more frequently among carpenters than other laborers, with the incidence in 1986 being 250 percent greater than it was in 1985. Some workers demonstrated pruritic, macular/papular lesions. Carpenters working on the inside of the power project buildings had a higher incidence of skin disease than those employed on the outside of the buildings. Samples of plywood and lumber treated with fire retardant indicated that they contained 3 and 5 percent phosphate, respectively. Arsenic was not detected but formaldehyde (50000) was detected at 59 parts per million. General environmental air samples were taken with no evidence found of airborne phosphate, melamine, dicyandiamide, or formaldehyde. Concentrations of total particulates ranged from 0.1 to 0.6mg/m3. The authors conclude that the workers were probably suffering from a contact dermatitis. The authors recommend that carpenters working on scaffolding crews and those sawing treated lumber wear gloves and long sleeve shirts, carpenters sawing wood wear particulate masks to avoid inhalation, good personal hygiene measures be followed, and medical surveillance be conducted to monitor construction workers for dermatitis.
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(1987) (revised), Granite City Steel, Granite City, Illinois. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the International Chemical Workers Union, an evaluation of possible exposures to a tar like substance was made at Granite City Steel Company (SIC-3312), Granite City, Illinois. This substance, a coal tar sludge residue, was added to coal coming into the facility. Samples of the coal tar sludge and mixtures of the sludge and coal were taken from the tar pit and from the area inside the pulverizer building. Chemicals identified in these samples included: naphthalene (... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the International Chemical Workers Union, an evaluation of possible exposures to a tar like substance was made at Granite City Steel Company (SIC-3312), Granite City, Illinois. This substance, a coal tar sludge residue, was added to coal coming into the facility. Samples of the coal tar sludge and mixtures of the sludge and coal were taken from the tar pit and from the area inside the pulverizer building. Chemicals identified in these samples included: naphthalene (91203), phenanthrene (85018), fluoranthene (206440), pyrene (129000), benz(a)anthracene (56553), chrysene (218019), benzo(e)pyrene (192972), benzo(a)pyrene (50328), and benz(g,h,i)perylene (191242). Of eight personal air samples taken, five had detectable concentrations of benzene solubles which ranged from 88 to 141 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3). Some polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon exposures were recorded at 20 to 100microg/m3. The authors conclude that a health hazard existed in the coal handling area and the by/products department. Specific recommendations include use of an enclosed system to pump the coal tar waste product directly to the coal pit, use of protective clothing including elbow length gloves by workers handling coal tar sludge, use of a half mask air purifying respirator equipped with an organic vapor cartridge, informing employees of the risks posed by these chemicals, and periodic medical checkups for exposed workers.
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(1987) Agrico Chemical Company, Pierce, Florida. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the International Chemical Workers Union an evaluation was made of respiratory problems among workers at the Agrico Chemical Company (SIC-2819) Pierce, Florida, which closed in 1979. Specific concern had been expressed regarding exposures to silica (7631869), coke, and asbestos (1332214). Of 108 persons participating in the study, 91 had worked at the elemental phosphorus facility (EP). Small, irregular interstitial pulmonary opacities were noted in two participants... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the International Chemical Workers Union an evaluation was made of respiratory problems among workers at the Agrico Chemical Company (SIC-2819) Pierce, Florida, which closed in 1979. Specific concern had been expressed regarding exposures to silica (7631869), coke, and asbestos (1332214). Of 108 persons participating in the study, 91 had worked at the elemental phosphorus facility (EP). Small, irregular interstitial pulmonary opacities were noted in two participants, and two others had pleural plaque. Of 88 participants who had ten or more years in the phosphate industry, the 36 workers with ten or more years in the EP facility were no more likely to have chronic cough, shortness of breath, abnormal lung sounds on physical examination, pulmonary function impairment, or x-ray signs of fibrogenic dust exposure than those with less than 10 years exposure. Those working longer than 10 years in the EP facility had numerically higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis and chronic wheeze, but the differences were not statistically significant. The author concludes that no association between health and time at the EP facility could be discerned from the available data, although it is possible that the study participants were not representative of all former facility workers.
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