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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
(1980) National Institute for Occupational Safety And Health, technical assistance to OSHA, Johns-Manville Corporation, Waukegan, Illinois, technical assistance report no. TA-78-101-104. (Click to open report) A survey was conducted at Johns Manville Corporation (SIC-3292) in Waukegan, Illinois in September 1978. The survey was made in response to employee complaints regarding the medical surveillance program. Questions addressed included: has the company adhered to medical monitoring requirements of the OSHA asbestos (1332214) standard; do the equipment and procedures used for pulmonary function tests and X-rays meet NIOSH guidelines; is the medical surveillance program detecting pulmonary abnormalit... (Click to show more)A survey was conducted at Johns Manville Corporation (SIC-3292) in Waukegan, Illinois in September 1978. The survey was made in response to employee complaints regarding the medical surveillance program. Questions addressed included: has the company adhered to medical monitoring requirements of the OSHA asbestos (1332214) standard; do the equipment and procedures used for pulmonary function tests and X-rays meet NIOSH guidelines; is the medical surveillance program detecting pulmonary abnormalities at the appropriate times; and is notification being made when abnormalities are detected. A random sample of 101 employees hired before 1970 and exposed to asbestos was selected and dates for pulmonary function tests were examined in medical records. Test equipment was examined and employee testing was observed. Employee notification of abnormal pulmonary function was not routine until 1977. In some cases, employees were sent to hospitals for further pulmonary workup when there was a new diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, pneumoconiosis with impairment, or evaluation for disability. The results of the survey showed that compliance with the pulmonary function portion of the requirement was almost 100 percent, but pulmonary function test equipment and procedures did not meet NIOSH recommended standards.
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(1980) Nevelle Chemical Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Click for full summary) An environmental and medical evaluations was conducted at the Nevelle Chemical Company, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to determine employee exposures to respirable dust, benzene (71432), toluene (108883), styrene (100425), xylene (1330207), oil-mist, and hydrogen- chloride (7647010). A representative of the United Steelworkers of America, Local 12046, requested the evaluation on behalf of about 250 affected workers. Total dust particulate values ranged from 3.78 to 150.3 milligram per cubic meter... (Click to show more)An environmental and medical evaluations was conducted at the Nevelle Chemical Company, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to determine employee exposures to respirable dust, benzene (71432), toluene (108883), styrene (100425), xylene (1330207), oil-mist, and hydrogen- chloride (7647010). A representative of the United Steelworkers of America, Local 12046, requested the evaluation on behalf of about 250 affected workers. Total dust particulate values ranged from 3.78 to 150.3 milligram per cubic meter (mg/cu m). All hydrogen- chloride samples were below the threshold limit value (TLV) of 7 mg/cu m. Oil mist sample values ranged from 0.02 to 0.03 mg/cu m; below the TLV standard of 5 mg/cu m. Concentrations of benzene, toluene, xylene and styrene ranged from undetectable to 0.48, 0.49, corresponding evaluation criteria of 10,100,100 and 100 parts million. Clinical examinations revealed a significant relationship between symptoms of chest tightness, eye and nose irritation, and tiredness and exposure to the chemicals among production workers. There was a significant incidence of skin abnormalities among exposed workers. Pulmonary function tests revealed no abnormalities, and x-rays and blood chemistry tests were normal. The author suggests that some of the workers may be exposed to hazardous amounts of respirable dust. Preemployment and periodic medical examinations should be provided, ventilation systems should be improved, respiratory protection equipment and clothing should be used, and good housekeeping practices should be developed.
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Contact us to obtain a copy of report HHE-79-39-604.
(1980) Niagara Steel Finishing Company, Niagara Falls, New York. (Click for full summary) Residual dust samples were analyzed for Mirex (2385855), lindane (58899) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1746016) (TCDD) during decontamination of the Niagara Steel Finishing Company (SIC- 3440) in Niagara Falls, New York, on August 21, 1980. The samples were obtained by vacuuming using a mixed cellulose ester membrane filter and an air pump. Twenty four residual dust samples from structural members, window sills, equipment and various other surfaces were analyzed to determine decontami... (Click to show more)Residual dust samples were analyzed for Mirex (2385855), lindane (58899) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1746016) (TCDD) during decontamination of the Niagara Steel Finishing Company (SIC- 3440) in Niagara Falls, New York, on August 21, 1980. The samples were obtained by vacuuming using a mixed cellulose ester membrane filter and an air pump. Twenty four residual dust samples from structural members, window sills, equipment and various other surfaces were analyzed to determine decontamination effectiveness. No concentrations of mirex, lindane or TCDD were detected. The author concludes that the facility is satisfactorily decontaminated.
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Contact us to obtain a copy of report TA-80-107-772.
(1980) Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Conroe, Texas. (Click to open report) Environmental and medical surveys were conducted on November 8, 1978, and July 19 and 20, 1979, to evaluate employee exposure to methylene-chloride (75092), methyl-ethyl-ketone (78933), styrene (100425), fibrous glass, silica (7631869) and nuisance particulate matter at the Owens Corning Fiberglas Corporation in Conroe, Texas. (SIC-2221) The evaluation was requested by an authorized representative of the United Paperworkers International Union on behalf of the approximately 157 affected workers.... (Click to show more)Environmental and medical surveys were conducted on November 8, 1978, and July 19 and 20, 1979, to evaluate employee exposure to methylene-chloride (75092), methyl-ethyl-ketone (78933), styrene (100425), fibrous glass, silica (7631869) and nuisance particulate matter at the Owens Corning Fiberglas Corporation in Conroe, Texas. (SIC-2221) The evaluation was requested by an authorized representative of the United Paperworkers International Union on behalf of the approximately 157 affected workers. All of the environmental air samples were well below current OSHA standards. Methylene-chloride concentrations ranged from 18 to 85 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3), below the OSHA standard of 1750mg/m3; methyl-ethyl-ketone ranged from 4 to 20mg/m3, below the OSHA standard of 590mg/m3; styrene ranged from 65 to 200mg/m3, below the OSHA standard of 420mg/m3; fibrous glass concentrations were less than 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter, below the NIOSH standard of 3.0 fibers per cubic centimeter; silica (quartz/cristobalite) ranged from undetectable to 0.33mg/m3, below the OSHA standard of 30mg/m3; and nuisance particulate matter ranged from 0.3 to 4.7mg/m3, below the OSHA standard of 15mg/m3. The author concludes that no hazardous exposures existed at the time of the evaluation. He recommends that fibrous glass and styrene workers have preplacement medical examinations.
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(1980) Passaic City Hall, Passaic, New Jersey. (Click for full summary) An environmental evaluation of Passaic City Hall, Passaic, New Jersey, was conducted on June 5, 1980, at the request of the New Jersey Department of Health. The request was prompted by outbreaks of eye and skin itching, with occasional rashes, among City Hall employees. Environmental samples were taken for mineral wool, total particulates, carbon-monoxide (630080), ozone (10028156), formaldehyde (50000), nitrogen-dioxide (10102440), organics, and hydroquinone (123319). Only three of the five hig... (Click to show more)An environmental evaluation of Passaic City Hall, Passaic, New Jersey, was conducted on June 5, 1980, at the request of the New Jersey Department of Health. The request was prompted by outbreaks of eye and skin itching, with occasional rashes, among City Hall employees. Environmental samples were taken for mineral wool, total particulates, carbon-monoxide (630080), ozone (10028156), formaldehyde (50000), nitrogen-dioxide (10102440), organics, and hydroquinone (123319). Only three of the five high volume samples collected in the return air plenum and a mixing box area contained mineral wool, and the concentrations were extremely low, ranging from 940 to 1500 fibers per cubic meter. Settled dust samples contained less than 1 percent mineral wool. The two samples collected for total particulates showed concentrations of nondetectable and 0.12 milligrams per cubic meter, respectively. The carbon-monoxide concentration in the building was about 1 part per million. There were no detectable concentrations of ozone, formaldehyde, hydroquinone, organics, nitrogen-dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, or sulfur-dioxide. The author concludes that no cause for the itching and rash outbreak could be found, and that no additional environmental sampling is warranted unless the medical evaluation indicates an unsuspected or untested environmental contaminant.
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(1980) Potomac Photo Supply, Washington, D.C. (Click to open report) Environmental surveys were conducted on May 18, 1980, to evaluate employee exposures airborne asbestos from the building insulation at Potomac Photo Supply (SIC-3861) in Washington, D.C. The evaluation was requested by an authorized employee on behalf of the 18 affected employees. Airborne asbestos concentrations ranged from undetectable to 0.04 fibers per cubic centimeter (fibers/cc), well below the OSHA standard of 2 fibers/cc. Analysis of a bulk insulation sample indicated the presence of abo... (Click to show more)Environmental surveys were conducted on May 18, 1980, to evaluate employee exposures airborne asbestos from the building insulation at Potomac Photo Supply (SIC-3861) in Washington, D.C. The evaluation was requested by an authorized employee on behalf of the 18 affected employees. Airborne asbestos concentrations ranged from undetectable to 0.04 fibers per cubic centimeter (fibers/cc), well below the OSHA standard of 2 fibers/cc. Analysis of a bulk insulation sample indicated the presence of about 40 to 60 percent amosite asbestos. The author concludes that no hazardous exposure to asbestos existed at the time of the survey. He recommends that periodic monitoring be instituted. If the environmental findings indicated a potential hazard, the insulation should be removed, encapsulated or enclosed.
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(1980) Quoizel, Inc., Hauppauge, New York. (Click to open report) Environmental sampling and medical interviews interviews were conducted on October 19 and November 22, 1979 to determine employee exposures to asbestos (1332214), lead (7439921), zinc chloride (7646857), and hydrogen-chloride (7647010) in the Tiffany Lamp (SIC- 3645) assembly area at the Quoizel Company, in Hauppauge, New York. An unidentified individual requested the evaluation on behalf of 12 company employees. Personal air samples taken for lead and zinc chloride fumes were well below the OSH... (Click to show more)Environmental sampling and medical interviews interviews were conducted on October 19 and November 22, 1979 to determine employee exposures to asbestos (1332214), lead (7439921), zinc chloride (7646857), and hydrogen-chloride (7647010) in the Tiffany Lamp (SIC- 3645) assembly area at the Quoizel Company, in Hauppauge, New York. An unidentified individual requested the evaluation on behalf of 12 company employees. Personal air samples taken for lead and zinc chloride fumes were well below the OSHA standards of 50 micrograms and 1 milligram per cubic meter, respectively. Area air samples for hydrogen chloride were also below the OSHA standard of 7 milligrams per cubic meter. Nine employees reported episodes of eye, throat, nose, and sinus irritation, and occasional chest tightness. Bulk sample analysis of the top of a work table indicated the presence of 2 to 5 percent chrysotile (12001295) asbestos. NIOSH concluded that the employees were not exposed to potentially toxic concentrations of lead and zinc chloride fumes or hydrogen chloride. They recommend that local exhaust ventilation be installed for the assembly operators and that the worktable surface be replaced with a nonasbestos material.
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(1980) Radford Army Ammunition Plant, Hercules Incorporated, Radford, Virginia. (Click to open report) Environmental and medical surveys were conducted on February 6 to 23, 1979, and June 18, 1979, to investigate the reported increase in heart disease among workers at Radford Army Ammunition Facility (SIC- 3483) of Hercules Incorporated in Radford, Virginia. The evaluation was requested by an authorized representative from Local 3-495 of the Oil Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union on behalf of an unspecified number of employees. Ethyl-ether (60297) concentrations ranged from 90 to 712... (Click to show more)Environmental and medical surveys were conducted on February 6 to 23, 1979, and June 18, 1979, to investigate the reported increase in heart disease among workers at Radford Army Ammunition Facility (SIC- 3483) of Hercules Incorporated in Radford, Virginia. The evaluation was requested by an authorized representative from Local 3-495 of the Oil Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union on behalf of an unspecified number of employees. Ethyl-ether (60297) concentrations ranged from 90 to 712 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the OSHA standard of 400 ppm; nitroglycerin (55630) ranged from undetectable to 0.89 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3), will within the OSHA standard of 2 mg/m3; lead (7439921) ranged from undectable to 0.063 mg/m3, exceeding the OSHA standard of 0.05 mg/m3; and coal tar pitch volatiles ranged from undetectable to 0.1 mg/m3, within the OSHA standard of 0.2 mg/m3. All other samples were below their respective standards. The medical interviews and record review revealed several cases of previously diagnosed asbestosis and heart disease. The author concludes that a potential health hazard existed as a result of employee exposure to ethyl ether, nitroglycerin, lead, and coal tar pitch volatiles. He recommends that an educational program be established, that employees be provided with daily changes of protective clothing, that the respirator program be reviewed, that general work practices be improved, that all exhaust systems be reevaluated and systems be periodically maintained, and that a standard operating procedure be established for all employees who handle asbestos.
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(1980) RMI Metals Reduction Plant, Ashtabula, Ohio. (Click to open report) Environmental and personal air samples were analyzed for titanium (7440326), titanium-tetrachloride (7550450), hydrochloric-acid (7647010), welding fumes, asbestos (1332214), and nuisance particles at RMI Metals Reduction Facility in Ashtabula, Ohio, on January 8 to 9 and June 15 to 28, 1979. A representative of the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union requested the evaluation on behalf of 209 workers. Medical examinations, chest X-Rays, and pulmonary function tests were administered to the w... (Click to show more)Environmental and personal air samples were analyzed for titanium (7440326), titanium-tetrachloride (7550450), hydrochloric-acid (7647010), welding fumes, asbestos (1332214), and nuisance particles at RMI Metals Reduction Facility in Ashtabula, Ohio, on January 8 to 9 and June 15 to 28, 1979. A representative of the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union requested the evaluation on behalf of 209 workers. Medical examinations, chest X-Rays, and pulmonary function tests were administered to the workers. With the exception of one total particulate and two respirable particulate samples, titanium concentrations were below the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommended standards of 10 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/CuM) for total particulates and 5 mg/CuM for respirable particulates. Three samples that exceeded recommended exposure criteria were 11.6 mg/CuM total nuisance dust, and 6.6 and 7.0 mg/CuM respirable nuisance particulates. Samples for welding fumes and hydrochloric-acid were below OSHA standards of 7mg/CuM and 5mg/CuM, respectively. Airborne asbestos was not detected. The medical study revealed extensive pleural thickening in 16 percent of the 58 nonproduction workers and was most prevalent among those who worked at the company for at least 10 years. Limited pleural thickening was found in 14 percent of the 151 production workers employed between 1957 and 1968. Major pulmonary function changes were found among the titanium-tetrachloride reduction process workers who had restrictive pulmonary changes with a significant yearly loss of lung volume. The author concludes that a health hazard of pulmonary impairment exists.
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(1980) Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey. (Click for full summary) Bulk samples of ceiling tiles were collected on July 3, 1980, to determine the presence of asbestos (1332214), and industrial hygiene and engineering data was evaluated at Smith Hall, Rutgers University (SIC-8221), Newark, New Jersey. The evaluation was requested by the State of New Jersey, Department of Health to determine whether diseases reported among faculty and staff at Smith Hall could be traced to environmental factors within the building. Potential exposures caused by leakages, containi... (Click to show more)Bulk samples of ceiling tiles were collected on July 3, 1980, to determine the presence of asbestos (1332214), and industrial hygiene and engineering data was evaluated at Smith Hall, Rutgers University (SIC-8221), Newark, New Jersey. The evaluation was requested by the State of New Jersey, Department of Health to determine whether diseases reported among faculty and staff at Smith Hall could be traced to environmental factors within the building. Potential exposures caused by leakages, containing animal urine and excrement contaminated with estrogens, enzymes and radioisotopes, were suspected of causing cancer and breast and ovarian cysts among the faculty and staff. Samples of ceiling tiles contained no asbestos. Data provided by the university indicated that samples of Rozol and air samples of asbestos, toluene (108883), benzene (71432), xylene (1330207), trichloroethylene (79016), methylene-chloride (75092), pentane (109660) and hexane (110543) were within OSHA standards. Concentrations of chloroform (67663) ranged from below detection limits to 80 parts per million (ppm) and exceeded the OSHA standard of 50ppm. Samples taken from the third and fourth floors indicated the presence of bacteria. Strong animal odor was noted from the animal area exhaust vents. Faculty and staff complained about ventilation. Plumbing problems resulted in the soiling of ceilings with water possibly containing monkey excrement. Evidence of water damage and flooding was observed. The authors conclude that there is no evidence of environmental overexposure. However, there are deficiencies in the plumbing, mechanical ventilation systems, work practices and animal handling procedures. The authors recommend that water leakage be prevented, the ventilation system be tested and modified to suit the needs, and animal care practices be modified to meet hygienic standards.
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Contact us to obtain a copy of report TA-80-092-769.
