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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
(1986) Simmons, USA, Kansas City, Kansas. (Click to open report) Total cotton dust levels were evaluated at Simmons USA (SIC-2515), Kansas City, Kansas, which manufactures mattresses, bedsprings and sleeper sofas. The Corporate Headquarters had requested an evaluation of employee exposure to airborne cotton dust in garnetting and associated processing areas. There were a number of emission points in the Garnetting Department. Missing machinery panels, open trash hoppers, use of compressed air, and throwing raw material onto the feed trays all increased levels... (Click to show more)Total cotton dust levels were evaluated at Simmons USA (SIC-2515), Kansas City, Kansas, which manufactures mattresses, bedsprings and sleeper sofas. The Corporate Headquarters had requested an evaluation of employee exposure to airborne cotton dust in garnetting and associated processing areas. There were a number of emission points in the Garnetting Department. Missing machinery panels, open trash hoppers, use of compressed air, and throwing raw material onto the feed trays all increased levels. Use of mineral oil as an additive is believed to be of help at this facility. The authors conclude that concentrations were below the OSHA 1000 microgram per cubic meter total cotton dust standard. Further reduction could be achieved by proper maintenance and repair of machinery, and improved work practices. Ventilation equipment should be inspected and repaired as needed. The crimped ducts should be repaired. Extending the slots hoods to the full length of the trays and adding flexible side panels is recommended. All windows or panels on processing machinery should be closed and missing panels or doors replaced. Use of compressed air for clean up should be reduced and replaced with vacuum cleaning when possible. Employees conducting blow down should wear eye protection in addition to respirators.
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(1986) Siouxpreme Egg Products, Sioux Center, Iowa. (Click to open report) Following a request from workers, a health hazard evaluation was conducted at Siouxpreme Egg Products (SIC-2017), Sioux Center, Iowa where raw eggs are processed into egg yolk powder and liquid egg white. Air was sampled for chloride and iodide ions, hydrogen chloride (7647010), sulfuric acid (7664939), and total and respirable egg dust. Chemical contaminant exposure was below OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH guidelines. Personal total dust in sifting and packaging rooms were respectively 12.8 milligrams ... (Click to show more)Following a request from workers, a health hazard evaluation was conducted at Siouxpreme Egg Products (SIC-2017), Sioux Center, Iowa where raw eggs are processed into egg yolk powder and liquid egg white. Air was sampled for chloride and iodide ions, hydrogen chloride (7647010), sulfuric acid (7664939), and total and respirable egg dust. Chemical contaminant exposure was below OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH guidelines. Personal total dust in sifting and packaging rooms were respectively 12.8 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) and 7.3 mg/m3 for one worker. Dust samples were 50% protein. Noise levels ranged from 98 decibels-A (dBA) in the sifter powder room to 85 dBA in the pick and prewash area. Five of 31 employees examined for occupational asthma showed positive findings due to hypersensitivity to egg protein. The authors conclude that a health hazard existed due to occupational exposure to egg protein. Recommendations include: removing workers with work related asthma to other areas of operation; evaluation of workers who develop episodic wheezing and shortness of breath; notifying employees in whom hypersensitivity reactions have been documented not to receive immunizations with vaccines grown in eggs; provision of local exhaust ventilation for the sifter and packaging room; and more positive removal of decontamination mist.
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(1986) TAC Radiator, Minot, North Dakota. (Click to open report) On request from the owner of the TAC Radiator (SIC-3714) Company in Minot, North Dakota, lead (7439921) exposures were evaluated in the radiator cleaning and repair shop. The environmental evaluation consisted of measuring breathing zone and general room air concentrations of lead, copper (7440508), and antimony (7440360). Copper and antimony were present in trace quantities and did not pose a health hazard. Four of the eight lead samples exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit of 0.05 mic... (Click to show more)On request from the owner of the TAC Radiator (SIC-3714) Company in Minot, North Dakota, lead (7439921) exposures were evaluated in the radiator cleaning and repair shop. The environmental evaluation consisted of measuring breathing zone and general room air concentrations of lead, copper (7440508), and antimony (7440360). Copper and antimony were present in trace quantities and did not pose a health hazard. Four of the eight lead samples exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit of 0.05 micrograms/cubic meter (mg/m3). The average of all eight samples was 0.12 mg/m3. Lead exposure levels ranged from 0.02 to 0.38 mg/m3. Medical monitoring and evaluation consisted of blood lead and free erythrocyte protoporphryin (FEP) determinations in all four radiator shop workers and the weekend janitor. Of the five workers tested, two were within the normal unexposed range. The other three had elevated FEP's and two had blood lead levels over 40 micrograms/deciliter (microg/dl). The author concludes that a health hazard existed from overexposure to lead during the cleaning and repair of radiators. The author recommends measures to reduce exposure to lead, including: installation of local exhaust ventilation; frequent blood lead analysis for all workers; and removal of workers with a blood lead concentration of 50 microg/dl or more from further lead exposure until the blood lead concentration is below 40 microg/dl.
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(1986) United Technologies Diesel Systems, Springfield, Massachusetts. (Click to open report) Due to a request from Local 206 of the International Union of Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers, an evaluation was made of effects of metal dusts which occur as a result of sharpening and repairing tools at United Technologies Diesel Systems (SIC-3541), Springfield, Massachusetts. Concentrations of cobalt (7440484) in personal air samples ranged from not detectable to 0.24mg/m3. Respirable dust levels ranged from 0.04 to 0.72mg/m3. A range of (7440337) was not detected in personal air sample... (Click to show more)Due to a request from Local 206 of the International Union of Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers, an evaluation was made of effects of metal dusts which occur as a result of sharpening and repairing tools at United Technologies Diesel Systems (SIC-3541), Springfield, Massachusetts. Concentrations of cobalt (7440484) in personal air samples ranged from not detectable to 0.24mg/m3. Respirable dust levels ranged from 0.04 to 0.72mg/m3. A range of (7440337) was not detected in personal air samples. Nickel (7440020) was detected up to 5.0 micrograms/cubic meter. Only nonspecific complaints were registered on a questionnaire filled out by five workers. One worker was identified with mild to moderate restrictive lung disease. Three of four workers showed a reduction in forced expiratory volume; a 10 percent or more reduction was noted in two workers. One worker had an elevation of the left hemidiaphragm on x-ray. Cobalt concentration in the blood ranged from 3.8 to 5.0 micrograms per deciliter. The authors conclude that a potential health hazard exists from airborne exposure to cobalt. Recommendations by the authors include: modifications to the local exhaust ventilation system; employee training; improvement in general housekeeping; advising employees of health effects of exposure to metal dusts; yearly pulmonary function testing; baseline chest x-rays; maintaining medical records for at least 30 years; and discouraging smoking on the job.
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(1986) Veterans Administration Center and Regional Office, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) Concern among employees that asbestos (1332214) exposure at the Veterans Administration Center and Regional Office (SIC-9451) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania may be causing relatively high rates of cancer deaths culminated in a NIOSH evaluation of the facility. Medical and personnel records were incomplete, but death certificates were obtained for 10 of 20 presumed cancer victims. Three had died of lung cancer, two of colon cancer, and one each of gastric, small intestine, pancreas, and breast can... (Click to show more)Concern among employees that asbestos (1332214) exposure at the Veterans Administration Center and Regional Office (SIC-9451) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania may be causing relatively high rates of cancer deaths culminated in a NIOSH evaluation of the facility. Medical and personnel records were incomplete, but death certificates were obtained for 10 of 20 presumed cancer victims. Three had died of lung cancer, two of colon cancer, and one each of gastric, small intestine, pancreas, and breast cancer. This sampling was too small to draw any conclusions concerning a cancer cluster. Bulk samples of steam pipes and damaged ceiling tiles were taken from the areas of concern. Three of the five bulk samples showed chrysotile asbestos (12001295). Ceiling tile and pipe covering contained 30-40 percent chrysotile asbestos. No asbestos was found in dust settled on a file cabinet. Air fiber concentrations were below the limit of detection (3000 fibers per cubic meter) in the 12 samples taken. Air samples indicated that adequate outside air is entering the working areas of the building. The authors conclude that a potential hazard from asbestos existed if pipes or ceiling tiles were damaged or disturbed. Recommendations included treating and periodically inspecting the pipe covering, advising maintenance personnel of the hazards of asbestos and supplying proper disposable clothing and NIOSH approved respirators. Maintenance of the temperature below 78 degrees-F and relative humidity so that it is equal to or above 30 percent is also recommended.
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(1985) Airco Carbon, St. Marys, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), total particulates, and respirable free silica (7631869) at the Airco Carbon Company (SIC- 3624), Saint Marys, Pennsylvania in January, 1984. The evaluation was requested confidentially because of concern over exposures to soot, coal tar pitch volatiles, and sand in the car bottom and sagger bake operations. Forty three employees were interviewed. Two of 19 total particulate samples exceeded the O... (Click to show more)Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), total particulates, and respirable free silica (7631869) at the Airco Carbon Company (SIC- 3624), Saint Marys, Pennsylvania in January, 1984. The evaluation was requested confidentially because of concern over exposures to soot, coal tar pitch volatiles, and sand in the car bottom and sagger bake operations. Forty three employees were interviewed. Two of 19 total particulate samples exceeded the OSHA standard of 15 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3), 17.3 and 32.7mg/m3. Benzene soluble fractions ranged from 0.5 to 5.0mg/m3. The OSHA standard for benzene soluble fractions is 0.2mg/m3. Two of seven samples of silica were above the limit of detection, 0.09 and 0.06mg/m3. In bulk samples, the benzene soluble fractions ranged from 0.44 to 860mg/gram and the PAH content from 0 to 26,124 micrograms per gram. Employees working in the bake areas reported a significant excess incidence of symptoms such as skin, nose and eye irritation, cough, sore or dry throat, chest tightness, and breathing difficulty. The authors conclude that a health hazard exists at the facility. Recommendations include enclosing vehicles used in moving electrodes, cleaning up spilled dust, and controlling fumes emitted from the sagger kilns.
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(1985) Asbestos shingle tear-off, Rockford, Illinois. (Click to open report) Breathing zone samples were analyzed for asbestos (1332214) during removal of an old asbestos shingle roof (SIC-1761) from a residential building, Rockford, Illinois in May, 1984. The evaluation was requested to assess asbestos exposures during removal operations. Airborne asbestos fiber concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 0.16 fiber per cubic centimeter (cc) for five tear off workers, fiber/cc for five workers applying new shingles. The OSHA standard for asbestos is 2.0 fiber/cc. A bulk sample o... (Click to show more)Breathing zone samples were analyzed for asbestos (1332214) during removal of an old asbestos shingle roof (SIC-1761) from a residential building, Rockford, Illinois in May, 1984. The evaluation was requested to assess asbestos exposures during removal operations. Airborne asbestos fiber concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 0.16 fiber per cubic centimeter (cc) for five tear off workers, fiber/cc for five workers applying new shingles. The OSHA standard for asbestos is 2.0 fiber/cc. A bulk sample of the asbestos shingle was analyzed and found to contain 30 percent chrysotile (12001295). NIOSH certified half/face respirators with high efficiency particulate filters were worn by all members of the tear off and cleanup crews. The author concludes that since the NIOSH criteria for asbestos exposure is the lowest feasible concentration, a hazard from airborne asbestos fibers existed during the roof removal operation. Recommendations include wetting the roof before beginning removal, evacuating the building occupants if feasible, sealing off all doors, windows, and other openings, removing all work clothes before leaving the site, and laundering them separately.
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(1985) Ashland Super Valu, Ashland, Wisconsin. (Click to open report) Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for di(2- ethylhexyl)adipate (103231), hydrogen-chloride (7647010), cyclohexanol (108930), dicyclohexyl-phthalate (84617), phthalic- anhydride (85449), and total particulates at Ashland Super Valu (SIC- 5411), Ashland, Wisconsin in June, 1984. The evaluation was requested by a company representative due to complaints of respiratory problems by one of the meat department employees. Four meat department employees were interviewed. Except for h... (Click to show more)Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for di(2- ethylhexyl)adipate (103231), hydrogen-chloride (7647010), cyclohexanol (108930), dicyclohexyl-phthalate (84617), phthalic- anhydride (85449), and total particulates at Ashland Super Valu (SIC- 5411), Ashland, Wisconsin in June, 1984. The evaluation was requested by a company representative due to complaints of respiratory problems by one of the meat department employees. Four meat department employees were interviewed. Except for hydrogen- chloride, phthalic-anhydride, and total particulates, all substances were below the limits of detection. Hydrogen-chloride at a concentration of 0.11 part per million, total particulates at concentrations of 0.10 to 0.21 milligram per cubic meter, and phthalic-anhydride at 18.4 micrograms per gram were found in environmental samples. Only one employee, a meat wrapper, had work related respiratory symptoms. His symptoms were diagnosed as bronchial hyperreactivity due to meat wrapper fume exposure. His symptoms were lessened when he used a disposable dust respirator. The authors conclude that it is not possible to determine whether or not the symptoms reported by the meat packer are due to emissions from heated meat wrap or label adhesive. Recommendations include not operating the cool rod cutter at a temperature above 280 degrees- F and installing local exhaust ventilation.
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(1985) Current, Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Click to open report) Breathing zone and environmental samples were analyzed for toluene (108883), xylene (1330207), ethylbenzene (100414), methylene- chloride (75092), perchloroethylene (127184), and isopropanol (67630) at Current, Incorporated (SIC-2771), Colorado Springs, Colorado in August, 1985. The evaluation was requested by the safety and health department to investigate chemical exposures at the facility. An unspecified number of employees were interviewed. Average solvent exposures were: toluene, 1.4 millig... (Click to show more)Breathing zone and environmental samples were analyzed for toluene (108883), xylene (1330207), ethylbenzene (100414), methylene- chloride (75092), perchloroethylene (127184), and isopropanol (67630) at Current, Incorporated (SIC-2771), Colorado Springs, Colorado in August, 1985. The evaluation was requested by the safety and health department to investigate chemical exposures at the facility. An unspecified number of employees were interviewed. Average solvent exposures were: toluene, 1.4 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3); xylene, 1.7mg/m3; ethylbenzene, 0.4mg/m3; methylene- chloride, 28mg/m3; perchloroethylene, 0.4mg/m3; and isopropanol, 30mg/m3. The maximum methylene-chloride exposure, 344mg/m3, exceeded the NIOSH standard of 260mg/m3. The OSHA standard for methylene-chloride is 1,700mg/m3. All other exposures were well below their relevant standards. Employee interviews indicated that the workers were satisfied with their jobs and complaints were limited. The complaints were not sufficient to warrant a medical evaluation. The author concludes that there is a potential health hazard from methylene-chloride exposure. He recommends substituting less toxic solvents for methylene-chloride and perchloroethylene if possible, installing local exhaust ventilation next to all printing presses, and prohibiting smoking and eating in the pressroom.
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(1985) Federal Grain Inspection Service, USDA, New Orleans, Louisiana. (Click to open report) Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for phosphine (12768820), malathion (121755), carbon-disulfide (75150), carbon- tetrachloride (56235), and grain dust at field offices of the Federal Grain Inspection Service (SIC-4782), United States Department of Agriculture, New Orleans, Louisiana in October and November, 1984. The evaluation was requested by the inspection service to investigate fumigant exposures at grain sampling and inspection stations in the New Orleans area. Noise m... (Click to show more)Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for phosphine (12768820), malathion (121755), carbon-disulfide (75150), carbon- tetrachloride (56235), and grain dust at field offices of the Federal Grain Inspection Service (SIC-4782), United States Department of Agriculture, New Orleans, Louisiana in October and November, 1984. The evaluation was requested by the inspection service to investigate fumigant exposures at grain sampling and inspection stations in the New Orleans area. Noise monitoring was also performed. Carbon-tetrachloride was the only fumigant detected, concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 1.7 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). The OSHA standard for carbon-tetrachloride is 10mg/m3. Grain dust concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 2.7mg/m3. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists threshold limit value for grain dust is 4mg/m3. All measured noise levels were below 82 A-weighted decibels (dBA). The OSHA standard for noise is 90dBA. The author concludes that a health hazard due to fumigants, grain dust, or noise does not exist at the stations. Recommendations include developing a registry of grain handlers and inspectors and establishing procedures for obtaining information on incoming grain shipments that have been fumigated.
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