Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs)

(1983) Warrick Generating Station, Yankeetown, Indiana. (Click to open report)
Exposures to boiler gases and coal dust were surveyed in August 1981 at Warrick Generating Station (SIC-4911), Yankeetown, Indiana. Evaluation was requested by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 702, on behalf of 165 workers. Air samples were collected for nitrogen-dioxide (10102440), nitric-oxide (10102439), sulfur-dioxide (7446095), coal dust, fly-ash, silica (14808607), and inorganic metals. Boiler units were checked for leaks. Questionnaires and medical examinations w... (Click to show more) Exposures to boiler gases and coal dust were surveyed in August 1981 at Warrick Generating Station (SIC-4911), Yankeetown, Indiana. Evaluation was requested by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 702, on behalf of 165 workers. Air samples were collected for nitrogen-dioxide (10102440), nitric-oxide (10102439), sulfur-dioxide (7446095), coal dust, fly-ash, silica (14808607), and inorganic metals. Boiler units were checked for leaks. Questionnaires and medical examinations were completed. One of 22 personal samples for coal dust exceeded the OSHA standard of 2.4 milligrams per cubic meter. All other substances in the personal samples were within OSHA limits. Boiler leaks were found on the positive pressure boiler unit. Sulfur-dioxide concentrations in the boiler gas samples ranged from 15 to 20 parts per million (OSHA standard is 5 parts per million for an 8 hour time weighted average). Workers complained of cough, breathlessness, or wheezing. No deficits occurred in respiratory function tests. No cases of pneumoconiosis were found. The authors conclude that workers are exposed to high concentrations of sulfur-dioxide, coal dust, and crystalline silica. They recommend respiratory protection, maintenance of boiler units and seals, a heat stress survey for boiler units and dozer operators, and removal of asbestos insulation in the lunchroom oven. (Click to show less)
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(1982) 101 Marietta Tower Building, Atlanta, Georgia. (Click for full summary)
In response to a request from employees of the U.S. Public Health Service, Region-IV, 101 Marietta Tower Building (SIC-9190), Atlanta, Georgia, an evaluation was made of eye irritation, sinus problems, and nasal congestion. Twenty nine floors in the 36 floor office building were leased by the General Services Administration for federal government offices. The only air contaminants found on sampling in the building were trace amounts of hydrocarbon vapors, possibly released from photocopy machine... (Click to show more) In response to a request from employees of the U.S. Public Health Service, Region-IV, 101 Marietta Tower Building (SIC-9190), Atlanta, Georgia, an evaluation was made of eye irritation, sinus problems, and nasal congestion. Twenty nine floors in the 36 floor office building were leased by the General Services Administration for federal government offices. The only air contaminants found on sampling in the building were trace amounts of hydrocarbon vapors, possibly released from photocopy machines and low levels of carbon- monoxide (630080). Dust concentrations in the building averaged 37.5 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3). The authors conclude that no factor or group of causative factors could be identified as responsible for any of the symptoms experienced by the employees in this building. The authors recommend some measures to possibly help prevent these problems. The heating, ventilating and air conditioning system should be balanced so as to evenly distribute the supply of air to each office or work area. The outdoor air supply should be increased to provide at least 20 cubic feet/minute of outdoor air per person. All missing ceiling panels should be replaced to allow proper air return. Employee comfort should be considered as an important issue. (Click to show less)

(1982) Armco Composites, Hartford City, Indiana. (Click to open report)
Occupational exposures to cured resin particulates, styrene (100425) monomer, and ergonomic stresses at Armco Composites (SIC-3079), Hartford City, Indiana were investigated. About 120 production employees work on site. The study was a result of a confidential request and was performed on March 1 and 12, and July 20 and 21, 1981. Air samples were analyzed and medical interviews were conducted with 29 workers and an ergonomic study was performed. Personal breathing zone time weighted average conc... (Click to show more) Occupational exposures to cured resin particulates, styrene (100425) monomer, and ergonomic stresses at Armco Composites (SIC-3079), Hartford City, Indiana were investigated. About 120 production employees work on site. The study was a result of a confidential request and was performed on March 1 and 12, and July 20 and 21, 1981. Air samples were analyzed and medical interviews were conducted with 29 workers and an ergonomic study was performed. Personal breathing zone time weighted average concentrations of cured resin particulates peaked at 20.1 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). Two samples exceeded the OSHA standard of 15mg/m3. Styrene values were all below the OSHA standard of 435mg/m3. Eighteen employees exhibited early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with symptoms of nocturnal numbness, swelling, and pain. Postures assumed during work included wrist flexion and extension, ulnar and radial deviation of the wrist, and open hand pinch. These postures have been associated with CTS. The authors conclude that a health hazard did exist from tasks involving repetitive hand and wrist movements. Exposures to cured resin particulates exceeded the nuisance dust criteria. Recommendation for decreasing the incidence of CTS and exposure to cured resin dusts are provided. (Click to show less)
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(1982) Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati, Ohio. (Click to open report)
In response to a request from the Health Department of Cincinnati, an evaluation was made of exposures to silica (7631869) dust and bird droppings at the Cincinnati Zoo (SIC-8421), Cincinnati, Ohio, occurring among workers involved in cleaning the bird cages. There were six workers assigned to the aviary area. Sand covered floors of the cages were swept with brooms to remove bird droppings and other debris. The materials from the sweepings were then scooped into a screened bottom shaker box and ... (Click to show more) In response to a request from the Health Department of Cincinnati, an evaluation was made of exposures to silica (7631869) dust and bird droppings at the Cincinnati Zoo (SIC-8421), Cincinnati, Ohio, occurring among workers involved in cleaning the bird cages. There were six workers assigned to the aviary area. Sand covered floors of the cages were swept with brooms to remove bird droppings and other debris. The materials from the sweepings were then scooped into a screened bottom shaker box and shaken to separate sand and debris. Treated or cleaned sand was returned to the cages while the waste was dumped into a waste container for removal. Positive tuberculin skin tests had occurred among some workers, causing concern. Air samples were taken and the respirable dust concentrations were found to range from 1.7 to 2.1 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) and free silica concentrations from 0.32 to resulting 8 hour time weighted average free silica concentrations ranged from nondetectable to 0.1mg/m3 with three of four samples exceeding NIOSH recommended levels. However, these exposures were for periods of 45 minutes to an hour, once or twice a month, and for not more than a few years. No excess occurrence of respiratory disease was found at the zoo, but the rate of tuberculin reactivity was higher than expected. Two former employees with active tuberculosis acquired outside the zoo may have been a source for transmission. The authors conclude that it is unlikely that the silica exposures constitute a hazard. The authors recommend that the substitution of other materials for the sand might lower the exposure to crystalline silica. A ventilation system should be established in the individual bird cages, not only for dust control but also for temperature control. Testing for tuberculosis should be expanded to include all the employees. (Click to show less)
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(1982) Colorado River Gin, Poston, Arizona, Plantation Gin, Poston, Arizona, Parker Valley Gin, Parker, Arizona. (Click to open report)
In response to a request from the Chairman of the Tribal Council, an evaluation was made of three cotton gins (SIC-0131) on the Colorado River Indian Reservation: the Colorado River Gin and Plantation Gin, Poston, Arizona, and Parker Valley Gin, Parker, Arizona. The potential short term and long term health effects for the approximately 10 to 18 workers at each gin site were of concern. Exposure to cotton dust, pesticide residue laden materials, nuisance dust, and noise were the primary concerns... (Click to show more) In response to a request from the Chairman of the Tribal Council, an evaluation was made of three cotton gins (SIC-0131) on the Colorado River Indian Reservation: the Colorado River Gin and Plantation Gin, Poston, Arizona, and Parker Valley Gin, Parker, Arizona. The potential short term and long term health effects for the approximately 10 to 18 workers at each gin site were of concern. Exposure to cotton dust, pesticide residue laden materials, nuisance dust, and noise were the primary concerns. Most of the airborne levels of cotton dust samples taken at the three gins exceeded the NIOSH recommended criteria of 200 micrograms/cubic meter. Medical evaluation showed both acute and chronic symptoms in a portion of the workers who were evaluated for exposure to cotton dust and or nuisance dust, as well as from exposure to organophosphate pesticides. Effects included eye, skin and respiratory irritation among 54% of the workers, decreases in lung function over the work day in two workers, symptoms of chronic bronchitis in six workers, and reduced pulmonary function in two workers. Statistically significant decreases were also noted in the red cell cholinesterase levels over the season, to a clinically significant degree. Significantly high noise exposures were measured for all of the jobs evaluated; only outside gin operators had exposures below 85 decibels. The authors conclude that health hazards existed at the three sites from exposures to cotton dust, pesticide residue laden materials, and noise. The authors recommend measures to improve worker health. (Click to show less)
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