Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs)

(2001) University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California. (Click to open report)
At the request of the University of California, Berkeley, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a study of lead-based paint (LBP) exposures during exterior renovation work on campus buildings. Workers' personal airborne lead (PbA) exposures were assessed for eight renovation tasks during a three-day demonstration project. Additionally we measured concomitant area PbA concentrations 6 feet (ft) from the work surfaces, lead in settled dust (PbS) at three dis... (Click to show more) At the request of the University of California, Berkeley, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a study of lead-based paint (LBP) exposures during exterior renovation work on campus buildings. Workers' personal airborne lead (PbA) exposures were assessed for eight renovation tasks during a three-day demonstration project. Additionally we measured concomitant area PbA concentrations 6 feet (ft) from the work surfaces, lead in settled dust (PbS) at three distances (6, 10, and 20 ft) from work surfaces for five tasks, and determined if these measures were correlated with the workers' PbA exposures. Five workers performed assigned renovation tasks during limited work periods (average time 28 minutes [min]) on 22 painted exterior surface areas (wood windows, wood doors, and metal stairs). A total of 132 work periods were sampled; the work took from 2 to 12 work periods per designated work surface, depending on the area. Lead concentrations in paint chip samples (one per work surface) ranged from 0.23% to 34% lead (Pb) by weight (average 11.3%). Personal PbA exposures were highly variable; range, none detected to 660 micrograms per cubic meter ( g/m3), geometric mean (GM) = 22 g/m3, geometric standard deviation (GSD) 4.3. Personal PbA exposures were significantly associated with task, worker, and paint lead concentration (p <0.001). High-exposure tasks were dry manual sanding (GM = 49 g/m3), dry manual scraping (53 g/m3), power finish sanding (44 g/m3), and power finish sanding with bag (68 g/m3). Low-exposure tasks were power sanding with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) exhaust (GM = 6.9 g/m3), wet manual sanding (6.2 g/m3), wet manual scraping (16 g/m3), and flame burning (23 g/m3). The area PbA concentrations at 6 ft distance, which were also highly associated with task, were roughly an order of magnitude below the personal exposures, ranging from none detected to 37 g/m3, GM = 1.5 g/m3, GSD = 3.3. GMs for PbS samples were 3.2 milligrams per square meter (mg/m2) at 6 ft (n=69), 1.4 mg/m2 at 10 ft (n=67), and 0.66 mg/m2 at 20 ft (n=39). Overall PbS levels decreased significantly as distance increased (p <0.0001). At each distance PbS levels were significantly associated with task (p-values 0.024, 0.0015, and <0.0001, respectively). Flame burning was among the tasks associated with the highest area PbA and PbS levels, although personal exposures were relatively low. Surface paint lead concentrations were poorly correlated with the PbA exposures (R = 0.30). Personal and area PbA levels were significantly correlated (R = 0.49, p <0.0001). Both area and personal PbA concentrations were significantly correlated with PbS levels measured 6 ft and 10 ft from the work surfaces (R values 0.34 to 0.73). Area PbA levels were significantly correlated with the PbS levels at 20 ft as well (R = 0.67). Worker lead exposures for eight renovation tasks on building exteriors with LBP were highly variable. Based on workers' exposures, the eight renovation tasks evaluated fell into two exposure groups. Estimated average exposures during dry manual sanding, dry manual scraping, power finish sanding, and power finish sanding with bag would exceed the permissible exposure limit (PEL) within an 8-hr period. Estimated average exposures for power sanding with HEPA exhaust, flame burning, wet manual sanding, and wet scraping would be below the PEL. Although it resulted in relatively low worker exposures, flame burning was among the tasks associated with the higher lead levels in air and settled dust levels in nearby areas. The power finish sander with a cloth dust bag was not effective in controlling worker exposures; the random-orbital power sanding equipped with HEPA-filtered exhaust ventilation appeared to be highly effective. Recommendations are provided in this report to help prevent hazardous worker exposures to LBP during renovation of surfaces with LBP. (Click to show less)
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(2000) Delphi Automotive Systems Flint East Operations, Flint, Michigan. (Click to open report)
On January 3, 2000, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) from employees at Delphi Automotive Systems - Flint East Operations in Flint, Michigan. The HHE request expressed concerns about possible exposure to lead resulting from the use of wave solder machines during the production of circuit boards. In response to this request, a site visit was conducted on March 30 through April 1, 2000. During this site visit, ... (Click to show more) On January 3, 2000, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) from employees at Delphi Automotive Systems - Flint East Operations in Flint, Michigan. The HHE request expressed concerns about possible exposure to lead resulting from the use of wave solder machines during the production of circuit boards. In response to this request, a site visit was conducted on March 30 through April 1, 2000. During this site visit, two NIOSH industrial hygienists and a visiting researcher conducted a walk-through inspection of the area of concern and discussed the exposure issue with management and employees working in the area. Full-shift personal breathing zone (PBZ) and area air sampling was performed to measure the levels of potential exposure to lead and tin dust originating from the 60% tin / 40% lead solder used in the wave solder machines. Surface sampling was also conducted for lead dust on equipment surfaces, lunch room tables, floors, and hands of employees. Discussions were held with management regarding their written lead compliance program, personal protective equipment program, and their environmental monitoring and medical surveillance plans. Results from the PBZ sampling ranged between nondetectable and 4.0 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3 ) for lead and between nondetectable and 7.0 microg/m3 for tin. The PBZ results were all well below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limits (PEL) of 50 microg lead/m3 and 2000 microg tin/m3 averaged over an 8-hour work shift. None of the area air samples had detectable amounts of lead or tin. Wipe sampling did detect the presence of accumulated lead on a variety of work surfaces. These included the floor near wave solder machines, some equipment surfaces, and ceiling air supply ventilation registers. Results for the wipe sampling ranged from nondetectable to 1700 microg lead/wipe sample (each sample was collected over a 100 square centimeter [cm2] area.) Despite the fact that employee exposure to airborne lead does not appear to be excessive in the work areas evaluated, the presence of accumulated lead on work surfaces indicates a potential for occupational exposure to lead. Management needs to stress regular and thorough housekeeping procedures in these areas and employees need to recognize the importance of personal hygiene practices in the prevention of ingestion of this accumulated lead. Recommendations regarding the site's written lead compliance program, lead sampling, and housekeeping issues are provided in this report. (Click to show less)
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(2000) Newark Fire Department, Newark, New Jersey. (Click to open report)
On December 22, 1998, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) on behalf of fire fighters from the Newark Fire Department (NFD) to assess the incident response procedures followed during a fire in a refuse waste-to-energy facility (American Ref-fuel) on December 17, 1998, in Newark, New Jersey. The IAFF indicated that several of the fire fighters responding ... (Click to show more) On December 22, 1998, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) on behalf of fire fighters from the Newark Fire Department (NFD) to assess the incident response procedures followed during a fire in a refuse waste-to-energy facility (American Ref-fuel) on December 17, 1998, in Newark, New Jersey. The IAFF indicated that several of the fire fighters responding to the incident were subsequently hospitalized due to smoke and chlorine gas inhalation. NIOSH investigators conducted a site visit to the NFD on April 12-13, 1999, and again on June 24, 1999. NIOSH personnel conducted private interviews with several NFD fire fighters who responded to the incident and reviewed several incident-related records provided by the NFD, including the department's standard operating procedures (SOPs) and medical records. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to fire fighters who were not present on the days of the NIOSH investigation. In addition to the medical interviews and questionnaires, medical records were reviewed from five hospitals where the fire fighters received medical care, and from the occupational medicine provider for the NFD. NIOSH investigators also visited American Ref-fuel. On December 17, 1998, the NFD received a report of a fire in the refuse pit of American Ref-fuel. The fire was declared a hazardous materials incident as information became known that the fire had involved chlorine bleach cleaner which, according to the product's material safety data sheet, would liberate chlorine and phosgene as decomposition products. Fire fighters used the plant's showering facilities for decontamination purposes before all of the 37 responding fire fighters were sent to area hospitals for evaluation. The medical survey showed that most fire fighters at the scene experienced some degree of acute upper respiratory tract irritation, and many experienced lower respiratory tract irritation as well. Fifteen had persistent symptoms at 24 hours, and 13 had symptoms at the time of the NIOSH investigation. Based on the combustion of chlorine-containing cleaner, the fire fighters' exposures probably consisted primarily of irritant gases, such as chlorine and nitrogen trichloride. Medical records revealed that the treating physicians were aware that the fire fighters were exposed to chemicals at a fire and were concerned about the inhalation of toxic fumes and smoke. However, neither fire fighters nor treating physicians knew what specific toxins were present. The symptoms of the fire fighters were consistent in the different hospitals, however the diagnostic tests performed differed. The university based hospital performed the most diagnostic tests on the fire fighters. The other hospitals performed fewer tests, but this did not appear to result in a greater rate of adverse health outcomes. The elements leading to fire fighter exposures at the waste-to-energy plant on December 17, 1998, are complex and multi-factorial in nature. Clearly, fire fighters did encounter exposures to irritant gasses at the scene. The NFD approached the incident in fire mode, when in fact, a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) response approach would have been more appropriate. Most fire fighters suffered irritant symptoms that were the result of exposures to irritant gases at American Ref-fuel. For those fire fighters who had recovered at the time of the NIOSH investigation or did not develop symptoms, it is unlikely that this exposure will result in further health problems. Those who developed more significant respiratory symptoms were being evaluated by health care providers. Several recommendations are offered for improving fire fighter health and safety, including recommendations for better integration of fire fighter medical surveillance information with acute care occupational medicine providers, better personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, and filling gaps in HAZMAT coverage. (Click to show less)
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(2000) Spectro Coating Corporation, Leominster, Massachusetts. (Click to open report)
The Spectro Coating Corporation applies flock to backing materials in one plant in Leominster, Massachusetts. The management requested a health hazard evaluation (HHE) to get a better understanding of the respiratory hazards in the plant. At the time of the request, an extensive HHE at another company's flocking facility in Rhode Island (NIOSH 1998) had uncovered a cluster of cases of a new occupational lung disease (flock workers' lung) [Kern et al. 1998]. In addition, one worker at Spectro Coa... (Click to show more) The Spectro Coating Corporation applies flock to backing materials in one plant in Leominster, Massachusetts. The management requested a health hazard evaluation (HHE) to get a better understanding of the respiratory hazards in the plant. At the time of the request, an extensive HHE at another company's flocking facility in Rhode Island (NIOSH 1998) had uncovered a cluster of cases of a new occupational lung disease (flock workers' lung) [Kern et al. 1998]. In addition, one worker at Spectro Coating had a diagnosis of the same illness. In November 1998, NIOSH conducted an investigation at the Spectro Coating plant consisting of a symptom and work history questionnaire and personal and area sampling, primarily for respirable dust (small enough to reach the deepest areas of the lungs) and fiber counts. Approximately 87% of the workers participated in the survey. The results and conclusions of the survey are as follows: The same types of particles identified at the Rhode Island plant were also present in air samples collected at Spectro Coating. Even though the dust concentrations were lower compared to those in the Rhode Island plant, blow-down exposures at Spectro Coating were associated with respiratory symptoms in workers. Blow-down cleaning with compressed air and flock-loading resulted in the highest dust concentrations measured in this workplace. Blow-down exposures were associated with an excess of fever/aches and cough/phlegm. Decreasing exposures should lead to decreased symptoms and complaints. Gravimetric respirable dust measurement appears to be a suitable method for characterizing concentrations in this setting. Smoking alone and in interaction with the exposures from compressed air cleaning was associated with symptoms. Respirator use was sporadic, and many workers had not been fit-tested. The following are specific recommendations for this workplace: Reduce dust exposures with engineering controls. Until engineering controls are in place, limit the use of blow-downs and use personal respiratory protection to control dust exposures. Expend the annual medical examination to include a means for identifying workers with frequent fever, aches, cough, phlegm, wheezing, or other respiratory symptoms. Workers with any of these symptoms should receive a medical evaluation and an opportunity to reduce dust exposures by placement out of high exposure jobs. Periodically inform workers about work-related disease observed among flock workers and how to reduce or control their risk of disease. Implement a no-smoking policy at the plant (NIOSH 1991). If allowed at all, smoking at the plant should be restricted to designated, seperately-ventilated smoking areas. Workers should be encouraged to stop smoking altogether through an employer-sponsored smoking cessation program and education campaign. NIOSH investigators determined that a health hazard exists from occupational exposure to flock-associated dust This risk is characterized by the occurrence of physician-diagnosed interstitial lung disease in at least one worker, and by the results of a respiratory symptom survey that suggest an association of respiratory and systemic symptoms with conducting compressed air cleaning (blow-downs). The hazard is related to dust exposure and is found to be the greatest in the flocking room. Reduction of worker exposure to airborne dust is recommended to protect the health of the workers at this plant. (Click to show less)
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(2000) Thyssen-Dover Elevator, Middleton, Tennessee. (Click to open report)
On March 14, 2000, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a joint management/union request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at the Thyssen-Dover Elevator facility in Middleton, Tennessee. The request asked NIOSH to determine if workplace exposures are related to health problems that some employees have experienced. Specific areas of concern identified in the request included both traditional welding and laser metal cutting processes. Reported symptoms were... (Click to show more) On March 14, 2000, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a joint management/union request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at the Thyssen-Dover Elevator facility in Middleton, Tennessee. The request asked NIOSH to determine if workplace exposures are related to health problems that some employees have experienced. Specific areas of concern identified in the request included both traditional welding and laser metal cutting processes. Reported symptoms were muscle weakness, tingling fingers, weight loss, and diverticulitis. On May 1-3, 2000, NIOSH researchers conducted a site visit at the Thyssen-Dover Elevator facility. During the site visit, integrated personal air sampling was conducted to evaluate employee exposure to welding fume during the first and second work shifts in Departments 544, 543, 591, 597, and at the Bystronic laser. Instantaneous air samples were collected for carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and ozone (O3) at various locations in the manufacturing area. Bulk samples for asbestos analysis were obtained from ceiling insulation and the Department 544 oven. Company accident and illness records were reviewed. Confidential interviews were conducted with 24 first and second shift employees. The laser cutting operation was reviewed. The personal air sampling results showed that employees in Department 544 were exposed to total welding fume, above the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit value (TLV) of 5 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m 3 ). Full shift time-weighted average (TWA) exposures for the two employees in this department were 5.44 mg/m3 and 6.10 mg/m3 . NIOSH recommends controlling welding fume to the lowest feasible concentration and meeting the exposure limit for each welding fume constituent. Element-specific analyses of the welding fume components showed that manganese exposure for the two Department 544 workers exceeded the ACGIH TLV of 0.2 mg/m3 on the day of the monitoring. TWA concentrations measured were 0.23 mg/m3 and 0.31 mg/m3 . The NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) for manganese fume is 1.0 mg/m3 . One sample from a Department 544 welder found exposure to lead in excess of the 30 micrograms per cubic meter Action Level established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. No other samples indicated the presence of lead above the limit of quantification. The source of the lead was not determined. In general, air contaminant concentrations were lower during the second (evening) work shift. General dilution ventilation is the primary ventilation control at this facility. Carbon monoxide concentrations of 8-12 parts per million (ppm) were measured at various locations of the manufacturing area during the first shift. The NIOSH REL for CO is 35 ppm and the ACGIH TLV for CO is 25 ppm. The primary source of the CO is likely the propane-powered lift trucks. Low concentrations of NOx were measured at some welding stations and ozone was not detected in any of the samples. No asbestos was found in any of the bulk samples. A limited review of the laser cutting operation indicated that protective shielding to prevent eye exposure to beam radiation may not be adequate. Worker complaints were grouped into three general categories; gastro-intestinal symptoms, neurological symptoms, and chronic sinusitis. Symptoms that were reported appeared to be associated with the work (i.e., symptoms appeared after reporting for work and improved or resolved after the employee left work). However, no work exposures could be found that would be the primary cause of chronic sinusitis or gastrointestinal symptoms. Welders complained of neurologic symptoms that were suggestive of manganese poisoning. Manganese exposure levels measured during this site visit would not be expected to result in manganese poisoning, but higher past exposure levels, or chronic exposure to elevated manganese levels, may account for the symptoms described by welders at this plant. Industrial hygiene monitoring found Department 544 worker exposure to total welding fume and manganese in excess of established criteria. One sample from this department showed lead exposure in excess of regulatory criteria. Because the facility is an open manufacturing environment, incorporates numerous processes, and relies on general dilution ventilation as the primary control, the worker exposure profile in the manufacturing area is complex. Contaminant concentrations were generally lower on the second shift. Shielding to prevent eye exposure to beam radiation on a high power laser cutter may have been altered. Workers reported gastro-intestinal symptoms, neurological symptoms, and chronic sinusitis. The temporal pattern for the gastrointestinal and chronic sinusitis was consistent with a workplace exposure, however, no workplace exposures were found that would explain these symptoms. Manganese levels measured at this site would not be expected to result in the neurologic symptoms observed and/or reported, however, higher past exposures or chronic exposures over time may account for these symptoms. Recommendations to provide respiratory protection as an interim measure, improve ventilation, conduct additional monitoring, utilize welding shields, review and modify the laser cutter, and reduce carbon monoxide emissions are in the Recommendations section of this report. (Click to show less)
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