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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
(1985) PPG Industries, Mt. Zion, Illinois. (Click to open report) Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for adipic- acid (124049) and total and respirable dust at PPG Industries (SIC- 3211), Mount Zion, Illinois, January and September, 1984. The evaluation was requested to investigate employee exposure to Lucor and wood flour, used during the off/bearing of flat glass. Medical questionnaires were administered to 13 employees. The facility discontinued using wood flour 1 month after the January, 1984 survey. All adipic-acid samples were below t... (Click to show more)Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for adipic- acid (124049) and total and respirable dust at PPG Industries (SIC- 3211), Mount Zion, Illinois, January and September, 1984. The evaluation was requested to investigate employee exposure to Lucor and wood flour, used during the off/bearing of flat glass. Medical questionnaires were administered to 13 employees. The facility discontinued using wood flour 1 month after the January, 1984 survey. All adipic-acid samples were below the detection limits. Total and respirable dust concentrations were below 2 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists standards for hardwood and softwood dusts are 1mg/m3 and 5mg/m3, respectively. Six employees reported eye and throat irritation and three reported skin irritation. The author concludes that a health hazard due to exposure to Lucor does not exist at the facility. It could not be determined if a health hazard from exposure to wood dusts existed in the past, since the use of wood flour had been discontinued. Recommendations include using a heavy duty industrial vacuum cleaner during cleanup operations and practicing good housekeeping.
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(1985) Public Service Electric and Gas Corporation, Iselin, New Jersey. (Click to open report) In response to a request from the employees' union, an evaluation was made of complaints of burning, itching, and redness of hands, hives, and irritation of the eyes at the Public Service Electric and Gas Corporation's Customer Payment Processing (SIC-4931) facility in Iselin, New Jersey. All 45 employees working at the facility participated. It was suspected that symptoms were related to use of an automatic envelope opener, the AES MAILSYSTEM 3/30, which used Paper Fiber Separator solution (PFS... (Click to show more)In response to a request from the employees' union, an evaluation was made of complaints of burning, itching, and redness of hands, hives, and irritation of the eyes at the Public Service Electric and Gas Corporation's Customer Payment Processing (SIC-4931) facility in Iselin, New Jersey. All 45 employees working at the facility participated. It was suspected that symptoms were related to use of an automatic envelope opener, the AES MAILSYSTEM 3/30, which used Paper Fiber Separator solution (PFS). Payment processors, who spent the workday handling opened envelopes, experienced a higher prevalence of symptoms (75 percent of workers) than did the other workers. Clerical workers had the second highest prevalence (57 percent), while managers did not report symptoms of any kind. Twenty five percent of AES 3/30 operators had symptoms. Analysis of PFS indicated 18.2 percent propylene-glycol-monomethyl-ether (107982), a known irritant; this was present at 82.3mg/kg in treated envelopes. Dust which may have come from envelopes was found inside the machine and on work surfaces in payment processing. Management and employees reported that ventilation seemed inadequate. The author concludes that skin and mucous membrane irritation and headaches area associated with payment processing at the facility and with the AES 3/30. The author recommends that employee contact with the envelopes and dust be limited and that proper general ventilation be installed.
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(1985) Residences (Times Beach Flood Debris Cleanup), Times Beach, Missouri. (Click to open report) Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1746016) (TCDD) and total dust during cleanup of flood debris (SIC-4953) at Times Beach, Missouri in 1983. The evaluation was requested by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to monitor and assess the contractor's employee personal protective program while cleaning up flood debris potentially contaminated with TCDD. Work practices were observed. No TCDD was detected. Total dust concentration... (Click to show more)Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1746016) (TCDD) and total dust during cleanup of flood debris (SIC-4953) at Times Beach, Missouri in 1983. The evaluation was requested by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to monitor and assess the contractor's employee personal protective program while cleaning up flood debris potentially contaminated with TCDD. Work practices were observed. No TCDD was detected. Total dust concentrations ranged up to 6.98 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). The OSHA standard for total dust is 15mg/m3. A number of major deficiencies in the contractor's health and safety program were observed. Respirators were used without being fit tested. No physical barriers between contaminated and non contaminated areas were provided. Wastewater from decontamination trenches going off site was allowed to accumulate on the surface and seep into the ground. All individuals reporting to the staging area for work drove through the contaminated area. The author concludes that workers at the site were at no additional health risk due to dioxin or total dust exposures. Recommendations include testing respirators for proper fit, providing training on respirator maintenance, and properly arranging decontamination areas, so that workers progressed to cleaner sites as they were being decontaminated.
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(1985) St. Louis Police auto body shop, St. Louis, Missouri. (Click to open report) Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for toluene (108883), lead (7439921), and total dust at the Saint Louis Police Auto Body Shop (SIC-7351), Saint Louis, Missouri in January and February, 1985. The evaluation was requested by the Health Commissioner of the City of Saint Louis to investigate working conditions in the body shop. A prior health department investigation had indicated that there might be health hazards in the shop area. Environmental toluene concentrations ranged ... (Click to show more)Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for toluene (108883), lead (7439921), and total dust at the Saint Louis Police Auto Body Shop (SIC-7351), Saint Louis, Missouri in January and February, 1985. The evaluation was requested by the Health Commissioner of the City of Saint Louis to investigate working conditions in the body shop. A prior health department investigation had indicated that there might be health hazards in the shop area. Environmental toluene concentrations ranged from non detectable to 4.5 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). The OSHA standard for toluene is 750mg/m3. No lead was detected. Environmental and breathing zone total dust exposures ranged from non detectable to 2.9mg/m3 and from 0.44 to 13mg/m3, respectively. The OSHA standard for total dust is 15mg/m3. The author notes that one dust sample exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' threshold limit value of 10mg/m3. The author concludes that a potential health hazard exists due to overexposure to total dust while performing certain repairs at the facility. Recommendations include installing a supply air ventilation system for the exhaust fans, orienting vehicles in the shop so that technicians are always working upstream of the airflow, and providing respiratory protection when it is not possible to control dust emissions.
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(1985) Wyoming High School, Wyoming, Ohio. (Click to open report) Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for formaldehyde (50000), metals, organic solvents, inorganic fluorides crystalline silica (7631869) at Wyoming High School (SIC-8210), Wyoming, Ohio in January and February, 1985. The evaluation was requested by the principal to investigate chemical exposures in the art and biology departments. Lead (7439921), cadmium (7440439), and hexane (110543) concentrations were below their relevant standards. Formaldehyde concentrations in the biolog... (Click to show more)Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for formaldehyde (50000), metals, organic solvents, inorganic fluorides crystalline silica (7631869) at Wyoming High School (SIC-8210), Wyoming, Ohio in January and February, 1985. The evaluation was requested by the principal to investigate chemical exposures in the art and biology departments. Lead (7439921), cadmium (7440439), and hexane (110543) concentrations were below their relevant standards. Formaldehyde concentrations in the biology department averaged less than 1.5 parts per million (ppm) when collected with sorbent tubes, but ranged from 0.3 to 7ppm on direct reading, colorimetric indicator tubes. The OSHA standard for formaldehyde is 3.0ppm. Area air samples contained 14.2 to 61 micrograms per cubic meter inorganic fluorides. One settled room dust sample contained 16.7 percent quartz. Bulk samples and some art supplies contained 20 and 42.5 percent lead, 0.03 and 0.05 percent arsenic (7440382), and 0.03 percent cobalt (7440484). The author concludes that a hazard exists from formaldehyde exposure and potential hazards from lead, arsenic, and silica exposure. Recommendations include reducing formaldehyde exposures during animal dissections and keeping the art department clean to reduce the potential hazards from chemicals in settled dust.
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(1984) Agricultural Commissioner, San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles, California. (Click to open report) Exposures to thallium-sulfate (10031591) and other pesticides were investigated on October 19, 1983 at the Agricultural Commissioners Office (SIC-0721) in Paso Robles, California. The evaluation was requested by an employee representative on behalf of 24 workers, 5 of whom had symptoms possibly related to thallium exposure. Earlier sampling results obtained by California/OSHA were reviewed along with the medical records of the five symptomatic workers. Other workers completed health questionnair... (Click to show more)Exposures to thallium-sulfate (10031591) and other pesticides were investigated on October 19, 1983 at the Agricultural Commissioners Office (SIC-0721) in Paso Robles, California. The evaluation was requested by an employee representative on behalf of 24 workers, 5 of whom had symptoms possibly related to thallium exposure. Earlier sampling results obtained by California/OSHA were reviewed along with the medical records of the five symptomatic workers. Other workers completed health questionnaires and were given medical examinations. Office floor and attic dust samples contained 26 to 131 parts per million (ppm) thallium and 205 to 2380ppm zinc- phosphide (1314847). Eleven workers reported symptoms of parasthesias, six reported hair loss, and five reported mood or personality changes since working at the office. One worker was identified with a 2 year history of alopecia and neurologic disorders consistent with thallium poisoning. This worker also had axonal polyneuropathy. Seven other workers had neurologic disorders indicative of potential overexposure to pesticides. The authors conclude that a health hazard due to thallium exposure exists at this office. They recommend further medical evaluation of employees with abnormal neurological findings.
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(1984) American Transportation Corporation, Conway, Arkansas. (Click to open report) Exposures to lead, hexavalent-chromium (18540299), total particulates, and organic solvents were investigated in February 1982 at American Transportation Corporation (SIC-3711), Conway, Arkansas. Evaluation was requested by the United Auto Workers, Local 1762, on behalf of workers complaining of dermatitis and eye, nose, throat, and respiratory irritations. Area and personal air samples were collected. Medical questionnaires, blood lead tests, and liver and kidney function tests were completed b... (Click to show more)Exposures to lead, hexavalent-chromium (18540299), total particulates, and organic solvents were investigated in February 1982 at American Transportation Corporation (SIC-3711), Conway, Arkansas. Evaluation was requested by the United Auto Workers, Local 1762, on behalf of workers complaining of dermatitis and eye, nose, throat, and respiratory irritations. Area and personal air samples were collected. Medical questionnaires, blood lead tests, and liver and kidney function tests were completed by 57 exposed workers. Four of five samples for hexavalent-chromium exceeded the OSHA limit of 0.1 milligram per cubic meter (mg/m3); four of eight lead samples exceeded the 0.05mg/m3 OSHA standard. For total particulates, two of eight samples exceeded the OSHA limit of 15mg/m3. Exposures to organic solvents were all within acceptable limits. Deficiencies were noted in the respiratory and hearing protection programs, and in the paint booth ventilation system. Numerous safety hazards were also found: smoking around solvents, open solvent containers, and poor housekeeping. Dermatitis incidence was greater among the exposed workers, and there was evidence of toluene (108883) absorption. Blood lead values were normal. The authors conclude that potential hazards exist from lead and hexavalent-chromium; general health and safety hazards are also present. They recommend improved work and hygiene practices.
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(1984) ARCO Philadelphia Refinery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) A bulk sample of fractionator residue was analyzed for polynuclear aromatic (PNA) compounds at the catalytic cracking unit of ARCO Philadelphia Refinery (SIC-2911), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in May, 1983. The study was requested by the Atlantic Independent Union to determine if skin rashes and skin irritation occurring among refinery workers were caused by PNA in the fractionators. Twenty four workers were interviewed and skin examinations on 10 workers were performed. Seventeen PNA were identi... (Click to show more)A bulk sample of fractionator residue was analyzed for polynuclear aromatic (PNA) compounds at the catalytic cracking unit of ARCO Philadelphia Refinery (SIC-2911), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in May, 1983. The study was requested by the Atlantic Independent Union to determine if skin rashes and skin irritation occurring among refinery workers were caused by PNA in the fractionators. Twenty four workers were interviewed and skin examinations on 10 workers were performed. Seventeen PNA were identified in the bulk sample. Eight workers reported having skin rashes at some time during their employment at the cracking unit. Four workers had rashes that resembled contact dermatitis. The authors conclude that a health hazard from exposure to chemicals at the cracking unit may exist. No specific chemical agent can be identified. Dust from the catalyst and oily residues that could contaminate workers' shoes and clothing may have contributed to some of the dermatitis cases. Recommendations include laundering workers' coveralls by dry cleaning to insure the removal of oily residues, providing workers with oil resistant or oil proof work boots, and repairing the ventilator in the sample preparation room adjacent to the block house.
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(1984) C.F. And I. Steel, Pueblo, Colorado. (Click to open report) Breathing zone samples were analyzed for lead (7439921) and zinc (7440666) at CF and I Steel (SIC-3312), Pueblo, Colorado in March, 1984. The survey was requested by a local of the United Steel Workers to evaluate lead exposures in the galvanizing department. Twenty six workers in the galvanizing department were interviewed. Blood samples were analyzed for lead and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP). Nine of 27 lead samples exceeded the OSHA standard of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m3), ... (Click to show more)Breathing zone samples were analyzed for lead (7439921) and zinc (7440666) at CF and I Steel (SIC-3312), Pueblo, Colorado in March, 1984. The survey was requested by a local of the United Steel Workers to evaluate lead exposures in the galvanizing department. Twenty six workers in the galvanizing department were interviewed. Blood samples were analyzed for lead and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP). Nine of 27 lead samples exceeded the OSHA standard of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m3), the concentrations ranging from less than 3 to 190mg/m3. All zinc concentrations were below the OSHA standard, 5000mg/m3. Seventeen workers had normal blood lead and FEP concentrations. Four had elevated lead and FEP concentrations and two had elevated lead but normal FEP concentrations. Four had normal lead but elevated FEP concentrations. Smokers had statistically significantly higher blood lead concentrations than nonsmokers. Nine workers had a history of high blood pressure. This was considered to be age related. The authors conclude that a health hazard from lead exposure exists at the facility. Recommendations include not eating, drinking, or smoking on the job, washing hands before eating and smoking, and showering after each workshift.
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(1984) Charlie's Taxidermy and Gifts, Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. (Click to open report) Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for organic solvents, asbestos (1332214), arsenic (7440382), polyurethane (9009545), borax (1303964), a proprietary preservative, and inert dusts at Charlie's Taxidermy and Gifts (SIC-7699), Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, in October, 1983. The evaluation was requested by the Vice President of the Pennsylvania Taxidermy Association because of concern of the taxidermists being exposed to organic solvents and chemical agents. Work practices were obse... (Click to show more)Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for organic solvents, asbestos (1332214), arsenic (7440382), polyurethane (9009545), borax (1303964), a proprietary preservative, and inert dusts at Charlie's Taxidermy and Gifts (SIC-7699), Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, in October, 1983. The evaluation was requested by the Vice President of the Pennsylvania Taxidermy Association because of concern of the taxidermists being exposed to organic solvents and chemical agents. Work practices were observed. All organic solvent vapor concentrations were below evaluation criteria except in one instance where a taxidermist was exposed to 210 parts per million (ppm) toluene (108883) while using a hand held dryer on solvent soaked pheasant skins. The OSHA standard for toluene is 200ppm. Borax, polyurethane, and proprietary preservative dust concentrations were below the relevant standards. Two paper mache samples contained chrysotile asbestos (12001295) and a liquid preservative was found to contain formaldehyde (50000). Arsenic was not found in the bulk samples. Improper work practices such as getting hands wet with solvents and eating and drinking in work areas were observed. The authors conclude that the taxidermists are not overexposed to organic solvents and chemical agents. Recommendations include substituting less toxic substances, installing a forced draft ventilation system, and improving work practices.
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