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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) Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant, Shoreham, Long Island, New York. (Click to open report) In response to a request from employees at the construction site for the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant, Long Island, New York, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous conditions existing at this facility. Concern centered around the use of an asbestos (1332214) product, Novatex. Two area air and one personal air sample were taken along with bulk samples of Novatex. Analysis indicated that Novatex contained chrysotile (12001295) asbestos. Fibers of this asbestos were located in a settled dust... (Click to show more)In response to a request from employees at the construction site for the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant, Long Island, New York, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous conditions existing at this facility. Concern centered around the use of an asbestos (1332214) product, Novatex. Two area air and one personal air sample were taken along with bulk samples of Novatex. Analysis indicated that Novatex contained chrysotile (12001295) asbestos. Fibers of this asbestos were located in a settled dust sample. The two area air samples were negative. The one personal air sample was positive for asbestos. This personal air sample was measured in the vicinity where a pipefitter was working. His exposure was determined to be 0.16 fiber/cubic centimeter, which exceeds the NIOSH recommended limit of 0.1 fiber/cubic centimeter. Novatex was used at this facility to wrap stainless steel pipe to protect it from arc strikes, and as an insulating wrap for welded pipe joints during heat stress. Novatex was also used improperly as a drop cloth to keep welding sparks from falling on workers below, as a walkway covering and as a kneepad for workers having to kneel on grate walkways. The author concludes that a hazard of occupational exposure to airborne asbestos fibers exists at this site. The author recommends that asbestos free substitutes be found for the improper uses of Novatex. Users should be instructed to pick up any leftover Novatex and dispose of it properly. All personnel should be informed of the hazards of asbestos and the proper methods of cleanup.
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(1980) Social Security Administration, Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Click for full summary) An industrial hygiene survey was conducted at the Grand Rapids, Michigan office of the Social Security Administration (SIC-9199) on April 22 to 24, 1980. The offices' Health and Safety Officer requested technical assistance to evaluate exposure of 102 employees to fibrous glass from deteriorating duct insulation. Ten office and in duct air samples were collected along with several bulk samples. The ventilation system was evaluated and confidential employee interviews using non-direct medical que... (Click to show more)An industrial hygiene survey was conducted at the Grand Rapids, Michigan office of the Social Security Administration (SIC-9199) on April 22 to 24, 1980. The offices' Health and Safety Officer requested technical assistance to evaluate exposure of 102 employees to fibrous glass from deteriorating duct insulation. Ten office and in duct air samples were collected along with several bulk samples. The ventilation system was evaluated and confidential employee interviews using non-direct medical questionnaires were conducted. Bulk sample analysis identified the contents to be entirely composed of mineral wool. Airborne fiber concentrations were below detection limits for each of the air samples. No significant health problems were reported by the employees, although most of them complained of poor air circulation in the office. Ventilation measurements taken while they system was running indicated an air flow rate of 13 cubic feet per minute. The authors conclude that no hazard from mineral wool exposures existed in this office at the time of the investigation. They offer several recommendations for improved ventilation.
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(1980) St. Clair Rubber Company, Marysville, Michigan. (Click to open report) Personal and area environmental samples were analyzed for the presence of carbon-black (1333864), lead (7439921), and antimony (7440360) and total particulates in the compounding area and mill room at the St. Clair Rubber Company, (SIC-3069) in Marysville, Michigan, from May 14 to 16, and November 19 and 20 1979. The evaluation was requested by a vice president of the company. The factory employed about 160 workers. Ten to 16 workers were assigned to the compounding area where raw materials were... (Click to show more)Personal and area environmental samples were analyzed for the presence of carbon-black (1333864), lead (7439921), and antimony (7440360) and total particulates in the compounding area and mill room at the St. Clair Rubber Company, (SIC-3069) in Marysville, Michigan, from May 14 to 16, and November 19 and 20 1979. The evaluation was requested by a vice president of the company. The factory employed about 160 workers. Ten to 16 workers were assigned to the compounding area where raw materials were batched, mixed, milled, and calendered. Total dust particulates ranged from 0.03 to 6.9 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/CuM), one lead sample was 9.7 micrograms per cubic meter as an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA), antimony concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.15mg/CuM and carbon- black concentrations ranged from 0.11 to 2.59mg/CuM. Dust particulates, lead, antimony and carbon-black OSHA criteria standards were 10mg/CuM, 30 micrograms/CuM meter for an 8 hour (TWA), 0.5mg/CuM and 3.5mg/CuM for an 8 hour TWA, respectively. The author concludes that there were no hazardous exposures to dust containing carbon-black, lead or antimony under existing conditions. He recommends that work practices be closely monitored to minimize exposure to lead and antimony and that their suggestions for further reducing exposures be implemented.
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(1980) Star Dust Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. (Click to open report) Area air sampling and medical surveys were conducted at the Star Dust Hotel (SIC-7011) in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26 and July 17, 1979 to investigate complaints of sewer odors associated with nausea, headaches, and upper respiratory symptoms among hotel telephone operators. The evaluation request came from an authorized representative of the Teamster's Union, Local 995 on behalf of 28 telephone operators. Air sampling analysis revealed 0.01 to 0.03 parts per million (ppm) of toluene (108883), 0... (Click to show more)Area air sampling and medical surveys were conducted at the Star Dust Hotel (SIC-7011) in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26 and July 17, 1979 to investigate complaints of sewer odors associated with nausea, headaches, and upper respiratory symptoms among hotel telephone operators. The evaluation request came from an authorized representative of the Teamster's Union, Local 995 on behalf of 28 telephone operators. Air sampling analysis revealed 0.01 to 0.03 parts per million (ppm) of toluene (108883), 0.02 to 0.05ppm of tetrachloroethylene (127184), and 0.31 to 0.97 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) of total hydrocarbons. The current OSHA standards for toluene and tetrachloroethylene are 20 and 100ppm for an 8 hour time weighted average, respectively. No hydrogen sulfide was detected, however odors were evident at several locations. Ventilation for the air conditioning unit was inadequate. The employees commonly reported eye and throat irritations, an unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth, and irritations of the skin and lips. The authors conclude that no hazardous exposures existed at the time of the survey, but the poor ventilation system was allowing hydrogen sulfide gas to enter the air conditioning unit. The vapors from the sewer sump tank should be vented to the outside air, and the tank effluent should be regularly treated with chemical enzymes. The air conditioning system should be redesigned, and the unit should be relocated. The room housing the sump tank should be kept under negative pressure.
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(1980) State of Washington and Region X Office of the Department of Health and Human Services. (Click for full summary) Bulk and personal air samples from the Sunnyside, Washington, area (SIC-9431) were analyzed for hazardous concentrations of respirable dust, total dust, and respirable free silica (7631869) due to volcanic ash from Mount St. Helens on June 19 to 26, 1980. The evaluation was requested by state and federal government officials on behalf of an unspecified number of outdoor agricultural workers. All personal exposures were well below the OSHA standard of 10 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/CuM) for re... (Click to show more)Bulk and personal air samples from the Sunnyside, Washington, area (SIC-9431) were analyzed for hazardous concentrations of respirable dust, total dust, and respirable free silica (7631869) due to volcanic ash from Mount St. Helens on June 19 to 26, 1980. The evaluation was requested by state and federal government officials on behalf of an unspecified number of outdoor agricultural workers. All personal exposures were well below the OSHA standard of 10 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/CuM) for respirable dust containing quartz, and the NIOSH criteria of 0.05mg/CuM for respirable free silica. Average exposures were low, except for total dust exposure in onion fields near Moses Lake. The higher Moses Lake exposures were attributed to the small sample size or sample contamination. Bulk and personal samples did not contain significant concentrations of toxic metals. The investigators concluded that workers in the Sunnyside area were not overexposed to respirable dust, total dust, or respirable free silica at the time of the survey. Recommendations are given for monitoring and respiratory protection in the event of future volcanic eruptions or excessively dusty conditions.
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(1980) Sterling Faucet Company, Sabraton, West Virginia. (Click to open report) Environmental and medical surveys were conducted on March 7 and 8, 1979 and on June 27, 1979 at the Sterling Faucet Company (SIC-3432) in Sabraton, West Virginia to investigate possible hazards of a graphite (7782425) lubricant and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Authorized representatives of the employees' union, United Steelworkers of America Local 6214, requested the surveys to evaluate the health effects of the graphite lubricant and PAH exposures in drop forge operators. Analyses o... (Click to show more)Environmental and medical surveys were conducted on March 7 and 8, 1979 and on June 27, 1979 at the Sterling Faucet Company (SIC-3432) in Sabraton, West Virginia to investigate possible hazards of a graphite (7782425) lubricant and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Authorized representatives of the employees' union, United Steelworkers of America Local 6214, requested the surveys to evaluate the health effects of the graphite lubricant and PAH exposures in drop forge operators. Analyses of personal and area samples for total and respirable synthetic graphite dust, refined petroleum solvents and PAH indicated that concentrations were below current environmental criteria or were undetectable for these substances. Nondirected medical questionnaire interviews with the exposed employees revealed a high incidence of skin and upper respiratory irritation. The authors conclude that although air concentrations of measured substances were within acceptable limits, there was skin and vapor respiratory irritation associated with industrial exposure. They recommend the implementation of safety measures such as the use of protective gloves, the placement of a splash shield, the use of safety goggles, and the utilization of local exhaust ventilation.
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(1980) U.S. District Court, District of Columbia, Indoor Firing Range, Washington, D.C. (Click to open report) An evaluation was made of the ventilation system and design of an indoor firing range located in the District Court Building, in Washington, D.C. As this facility had been closed almost 2 years earlier, sampling for lead (7439921) concentrations was not possible. The evaluation was needed so that the facility could be reopened for handgun qualifying of U.S. Marshals. The range was 108 feet long, 12 feet wide and 9 feet high with three firing booths. The ventilation system supplied about 1300 cub... (Click to show more)An evaluation was made of the ventilation system and design of an indoor firing range located in the District Court Building, in Washington, D.C. As this facility had been closed almost 2 years earlier, sampling for lead (7439921) concentrations was not possible. The evaluation was needed so that the facility could be reopened for handgun qualifying of U.S. Marshals. The range was 108 feet long, 12 feet wide and 9 feet high with three firing booths. The ventilation system supplied about 1300 cubic feet of air per minute (cfm) and exhausted 3700cfm. Air entered through 12 ceiling diffusers and exited through three ceiling diffusers, one above each shooting station. The range was under negative pressure with regard to the rest of the building. Ventilation was acceptable at the shooting stations, but the air became stagnant further down range. The air supply to the range officer needed to be redesigned to avoid drafts and to increase the efficiency of lead dust removal. The author recommends modifications which would render this facility operational. The sand pit at the end of the range used to trap spent bullets should be replaced with a water trap. The author recommends that reflecting walls be covered with high efficiency sound absorbing material and that the back sides of the trap plates be covered with an epoxy resin to reduce noise levels.
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(1980) U.S. Precision Lens, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio. (Click to open report) Personal breathing zone and area air samples were taken and affected employees were interviewed to determine whether exposures to polymethyl-methacrylate (9011147) methyl-methacrylate-vapor (80626) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556), toluene (108883), magnesium- fluoride (7783406) isopropyl-alcohol (67630), iron-oxide (1345251), and oil mist were posing a health hazard to massive optics (M.O.) and tool grinding room (T.G.) employees of U.S. Precision Lense Incorporated (SIC-307) in Cincinnati, Oh... (Click to show more)Personal breathing zone and area air samples were taken and affected employees were interviewed to determine whether exposures to polymethyl-methacrylate (9011147) methyl-methacrylate-vapor (80626) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556), toluene (108883), magnesium- fluoride (7783406) isopropyl-alcohol (67630), iron-oxide (1345251), and oil mist were posing a health hazard to massive optics (M.O.) and tool grinding room (T.G.) employees of U.S. Precision Lense Incorporated (SIC-307) in Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 17 and 18, 1980. The evaluation was requested by the company. The facility employs 250 workers with an unspecified number working in the M.O. and T.G. rooms. Personal breathing zone and area air samples were taken and analyzed of each for the contaminants. Bulk samples were analyzed for silica content. Sample results for the contaminants ranged up to 20 percent of the recommended exposure limits. Bulk samples did not contain silica. The authors conclude that the exposures to the sampled substances were not hazardous to the employees at the time of the investigations.
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(1980) U.S. Steel Tubing Specialists Center, Gary Indiana. (Click to open report) Environmental samples were analyzed for the presence of chromium (7440473), hexavalent chromium, iron-oxide (1332372), particulate fluoride manganese (7439965), lead (7439921) welding fumes, gaseous fluorides, nickel (7440020), molybdenum (7439987), and carbon- dioxide (124389) at the U.S. Steel Tubing Specialities Center (SIC- 3312) in Gary, Indiana, on May 23 and 24, and September, 1979, and on January 30 and February 1, 1980. The evaluation request was by the United Steelworkers of America, L... (Click to show more)Environmental samples were analyzed for the presence of chromium (7440473), hexavalent chromium, iron-oxide (1332372), particulate fluoride manganese (7439965), lead (7439921) welding fumes, gaseous fluorides, nickel (7440020), molybdenum (7439987), and carbon- dioxide (124389) at the U.S. Steel Tubing Specialities Center (SIC- 3312) in Gary, Indiana, on May 23 and 24, and September, 1979, and on January 30 and February 1, 1980. The evaluation request was by the United Steelworkers of America, Local 2697 on behalf of 34 welders to evaluate a high rate of cardiovascular disease among workers. Concentrations of total chromium, hexavalent chromium and particulate fluoride were 0.02, 0.006, and 0.003 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/CuM), respectively; and their corresponding OSHA permissible exposure concentrations were 1.0, 1.0 and 2.5mg/CuM. Concentrations of iron-oxide, manganese, lead, and welding fumes ranged from 0.1 to 2.9, 0.004 to 0.19, 0.01 to 0.57 and 0.59 to 9.6mg/CuM, respectively, and their corresponding OSHA permissible exposure concentrations were 10.0, 5.0, 0.05, and 5.0mg/CuM. Gaseous fluorides, nickel, molybdenum and vanadium were not detected. Concentrations of carbon-monoxide ranged from less than 2 to 73.8 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the OSHA standard of 50ppm. The medical survey indicated an excess incidence of cardiovascular disease and increased respiratory symptoms. Blood lead and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin results were normal. The authors conclude that a health hazard due to overexposure to lead, carbon-monoxide and welding fumes and an excess of cardiovascular disease and respiratory symptoms exists. They recommend measures for the protection of workers and the reduction of hazards.
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(1980) Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. (Click for full summary) Worker exposures to metal dusts or fumes or acrylic vapors were determined at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Dental Laboratory (SIC-8070) in Washington, D.C., from May 27 to 30, 1980. The evaluation request came from an authorized representative of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2 on behalf of about 52 affected workers. Personal breathing zone air samples were analyzed for beryllium (7440417), nickel (7440020), chromium (7440473), molybdenum (7439987), and methyl-meth... (Click to show more)Worker exposures to metal dusts or fumes or acrylic vapors were determined at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center Dental Laboratory (SIC-8070) in Washington, D.C., from May 27 to 30, 1980. The evaluation request came from an authorized representative of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2 on behalf of about 52 affected workers. Personal breathing zone air samples were analyzed for beryllium (7440417), nickel (7440020), chromium (7440473), molybdenum (7439987), and methyl-methacrylate (80626). Medical questionnaires were given to 17 workers. Air concentrations of all of the elements were well below OSHA standards of 0.002, 1.0, 5.0, 1.0, and 351 milligrams per cubic meter for beryllium, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, and methyl methacrylate, respectively. Two employees reported chronic lung conditions which they attributed to past dust exposure. Ventilation measurements indicated that air flow rates were sufficient to remove metal and porcelain dusts, and acrylic vapors. The author concludes that the workers are not exposed to chemical hazards. Recommendations include the repair of certain components of the ventilation system, worker education, measures to minimize dust generation, and the prohibition of eating, drinking and smoking when working in the laboratory.
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