Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs)

(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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(1982) E.M.J.D. Corporation, Englewood, Colorado. (Click to open report)
Airborne dust concentrations were measured at the E.M.J.D. Corporation (SIC-3444) Englewood, Colorado on February 9, 1982. The facility manager requested the survey to evaluate 10 employees who were exposed to total particulate and metal dusts in the electronic sheet metal fabrication area. The entire facility employed 23 people. Breathing zone air samples were collected and medical questionnaires were completed. The 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure to total airborne particulates rang... (Click to show more) Airborne dust concentrations were measured at the E.M.J.D. Corporation (SIC-3444) Englewood, Colorado on February 9, 1982. The facility manager requested the survey to evaluate 10 employees who were exposed to total particulate and metal dusts in the electronic sheet metal fabrication area. The entire facility employed 23 people. Breathing zone air samples were collected and medical questionnaires were completed. The 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure to total airborne particulates ranged from 0.15 to 2.27 milligrams per cubic meter of air (mg/m3). Iron (7439896) particulates ranged from 0.01 to 0.09mg/m3 per 8 hour TWA, while comparable values for aluminum (7429905) were 0.010 to 0.29mg/m3. Manganese (7439965) sample results were below the detection limit. The ACGIH threshold limit value for total iron and aluminum particulates is 10mg/m3. Medical questionnaires failed to identify definite work related health problems. The authors conclude that a health hazard did not exist at the time of the survey since all dusts and particulates were under threshold limit values. (Click to show less)
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(1982) Federal correctional institution, La Tuna, Texas. (Click to open report)
In response to a request from the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Prison System, an evaluation was made of potentially hazardous conditions at the Federal Correctional Institution (SIC- 9999), La Tuna, Texas. Concern was expressed over employee/inmate exposures to isopropyl-alcohol (67630), toluene (108883), methylene- chloride (75092), nuisance particulate matter, wood dust, iron-oxide (1309371), and welding fumes from furniture refinishing. Furniture refinishing necessitated stripping, san... (Click to show more) In response to a request from the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Prison System, an evaluation was made of potentially hazardous conditions at the Federal Correctional Institution (SIC- 9999), La Tuna, Texas. Concern was expressed over employee/inmate exposures to isopropyl-alcohol (67630), toluene (108883), methylene- chloride (75092), nuisance particulate matter, wood dust, iron-oxide (1309371), and welding fumes from furniture refinishing. Furniture refinishing necessitated stripping, sanding, painting and general refurbishing. Airborne concentrations of isopropyl-alcohol ranged from 42 to 160 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3); respirable nuisance particulate matter, 0.4 to 1.6mg/m3; total nuisance particulate matter, 2 to 82mg/m3; and iron-oxide, below detection to 1mg/m3. The only evidence of a potential hazard was in the exposure to concentrations of total wood dust. The author concludes that a potential health hazard might exist to persons exposed to wood dust; the other exposures were not considered to be hazardous. The author recommends that efforts be made to reduce dust concentrations in sanding and grinding operations. A low volume, high velocity exhaust system is recommended which uses small volumes of air at high velocities to control dust from portable hand tools. (Click to show less)
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(1982) Forest Service, USDA, Spokane, Washington. (Click for full summary)
In response to a request from the U.S. Forestry Service (SIC-0851), an investigation was conducted by NIOSH to evaluate the exposure of Forest Service personnel to volcanic ash after the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Forest workers in southwestern Washington State were monitored in June and September, 1980 for exposure to airborne dust, total dust, and trace metals. Respirable crystalline silica (14808607) dust exposure was estimated by sieving bulk samples to particles less than 10... (Click to show more) In response to a request from the U.S. Forestry Service (SIC-0851), an investigation was conducted by NIOSH to evaluate the exposure of Forest Service personnel to volcanic ash after the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Forest workers in southwestern Washington State were monitored in June and September, 1980 for exposure to airborne dust, total dust, and trace metals. Respirable crystalline silica (14808607) dust exposure was estimated by sieving bulk samples to particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter. Nine of 40 measurements obtained from forestry workers exposed to respirable dust were greater than 1.00mg/m3 during the first survey. The NIOSH recommended exposure level to respirable dust containing 5.5% crystalline silica was 0.91mg/m3. No respirable dust measurements obtained in late summer were above the NIOSH recommended exposure level. The author concludes that forestry workers exposed to dust concentrations below the recommended levels have little risk in developing chronic respiratory impairment from this exposure; however, the recommended exposure levels may have certain limitations and future volcanic activity may increase risk. The author recommends that working conditions should be reassessed in future volcanic eruptions. (Click to show less)