If you cannot find anything that addresses your concerns, please contact us to see how we can help.
All NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation reports and other NIOSH publications are available at no cost.
You can either download a copy of the publication from the website or contact us for a copy.
For HHE reports, please send an email to HHERequestHelp@cdc.gov.
Information about all other NIOSH publications is available at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pubs/.
We carefully review our reports prior to publication, but we do make errors from time to time.
We regret any typographical or other minor errors that you might find. If you find a substantive factual or data-related error, let us know.
Please send an email to HHERequestHelp@cdc.gov with the report number (ex. HHE 2013-0500-7500),
the authors' names, the error you are reporting, and the page number of the error. We will look into your comments,
fix confirmed errors, and repost the report. Thank you for your interest in the HHE Program.
HHE Search Results
477 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
(2002) STN Cushion Company, Thomasville, North Carolina. (Click to open report) On August 28, 2000, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a confidential request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at STN Cushion Company (STN) in Thomasville, North Carolina. The request was submitted by employees concerned about health effects potentially associated with 1-bromopropane (1-BP, also called n-propyl bromide) and 2-bromopropane (2-BP, also called isopropyl bromide) exposures during the spray application of an adhesive. The employees' conce... (Click to show more)On August 28, 2000, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a confidential request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at STN Cushion Company (STN) in Thomasville, North Carolina. The request was submitted by employees concerned about health effects potentially associated with 1-bromopropane (1-BP, also called n-propyl bromide) and 2-bromopropane (2-BP, also called isopropyl bromide) exposures during the spray application of an adhesive. The employees' concerns centered around neuropathy (abnormal nerve function), weakness and numbness in the lower extremities, dizziness, and headaches. Site visits were conducted in November 2000 (exposure monitoring and informal [confidential] employee interviews), April 2001 (ventilation assessment), and July-August 2001 (medical evaluation and repeat exposure and ventilation evaluations). After April 2001, STN improved the local ventilation in the area of concern based on recommendations made by the NIOSH ventilation engineer. During both exposure assessments, employees were monitored for full-shift 1-BP and 2-BP inhalation exposure. Short-term (15-minute) and ceiling (5-minute) 1-BP and 2-BP inhalation exposure measurements were also collected from the adhesive sprayers (Sprayers). Area air sampling for 1-BP and 2-BP was conducted also. The ventilation assessments included an evaluation of local exhaust ventilation at the workstations (consisting of spray tables and spray booths). The medical survey, consisting of a questionnaire, a complete blood count, start-of-week and end-of -week urine analysis for bromine, and a battery of neurobehavioral tests, was performed on all employees within the facility who were willing to participate. Additionally, a reproductive study was performed which included all eligible female employees who were willing to participate. The purpose of the medical survey was: 1) to assess whether hematological (blood), neurobehavioral (postural stability and psychomotor ability), and reproductive effects might be associated with 1-BP exposure; 2) to assess whether health effects reported on the questionnaire were associated with 1-BP exposure; and 3) to evaluate urinary bromine levels at the start and end of the week and compare these results to airborne 1-BP levels (to see if urinary bromine concentration can be used as a biomarker of exposure). The "exposed" population consisted primarily of those employees who worked in the Fabrication area performing spraying activities. The comparison ("less exposed") population consisted of all other employees who worked in the facility. At the first site visit the mean (average) airborne 1-BP exposure for the Sprayers was 65.9 parts per million (ppm) (range 41.3 to 143.0 ppm). The mean full-shift airborne 2-BP exposure for Sprayers was 0.66 ppm (range 0.33 to 1.35 ppm). At the second site visit, the mean concentration of 1-BP for the Sprayers increased from the first (16.6 ppm) to the third (23.3 ppm) day of sampling, but was lower than the concentration found during the first site visit. Two individual spray booths (Stations #6 and #11) did, however, yield a 3-day average exposure above a recommended level of 25 ppm. The initial ventilation assessment revealed that all of the workstations had exhaust flow rates which were lower than recommended values. Enclosure of spray tables led to improved ventilation at each of the workstations; however, factors were identified which would lead to further improvement in ventilation effectiveness. Of the 84 individuals employed at STN at the time of the survey, 32 (38%) volunteered to participate in the medical survey. The symptoms most often reported from all participants included: headache (reported by 48%), trouble falling asleep or staying asleep (reported by 28%), dizziness or feeling "off balance" (reported by 25%), and blurred vision (reported by 24%). Two of the symptoms in the questionnaire, blurred vision and dizziness or feeling "off-balance," were significantly more common among the exposed versus the comparison groups. Of the exposed employees, five of six reporting blurry vision and four of six reporting dizziness noted symptom improvement during time away from the work environment. All of the results for blood indices were within the normal value ranges provided by the testing laboratory; however, because of the small number of blood specimens available for analysis, a statistical determination regarding the blood tests and their relationship to 1-BP exposure could not be made. The start-of-week and end-of-week urine bromine concentrations for the exposed group were both significantly higher than the corresponding values for the comparison group. We found no significant elevation in urine bromine level in the end-of-week urine samples compared to the start-of-week urine samples - in other words, we did not detect an increase in urine bromine from the first urine sample (start-of-week) to the second urine sample (end-of-week). Urinary bromine concentrations were highly correlated to the airborne concentration of 1-BP, and it was concluded that urinary bromine may be a good indicator of 1-BP exposure. A total of 30 participants participated in the neurobehavioral testing. We found no differences in the Postural Stability test results between employees in the exposed and comparison groups. Of the 16 Psychomotor Ability parameters tested, 3 demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the exposed and comparison groups. Specifically, we found indications of increased tremor in the right hand of participants in the exposed group. Although we cannot determine the cause of the tremor observed by our testing, we believe that this unilateral tremor is likely due to muscle fatigue (a known cause of the type of tremor observed), as 1-BP exposure, if sufficient to cause tremor, would likely cause bilateral tremor (tremor on both sides) due to a potential mechanism involving the central nervous system. And lastly, we collected insufficient data among exposed workers in the reproductive evaluation part of the survey to be able to make any comparisons between exposed and comparison workers in that portion of the HHE. Although we found the Sprayers at STN to have greater exposure to 1-BP than other employees, we are unable to determine if these exposures constitute a health hazard. By enclosing the spray booths in the Fabrication area, STN has dramatically reduced Sprayers' exposures to 1-BP and 2-BP. Because of symptoms consistent with excessive solvent exposure reported among the exposed workers, concerns raised in other studies, and the lack of definitive information, efforts should continue to minimize 1-BP and 2-BP exposures. Recommendations are provided in this report to assist in this, and include improving the ventilation of spray booths #6 and #11 as well as improving personal protective equipment use.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2002) United States Senate and House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. (Click to open report) On February 8, 2002, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a joint request from the Sergeant at Arms Office at the United States Senate and the Chief Administrative Officer at the United States House of Representatives regarding health concerns related to handling and opening irradiated mail at the United States Senate and House office buildings in Washington, D.C. In response to the request, NIOSH representatives conducted environmental and epidemiologic eva... (Click to show more)On February 8, 2002, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a joint request from the Sergeant at Arms Office at the United States Senate and the Chief Administrative Officer at the United States House of Representatives regarding health concerns related to handling and opening irradiated mail at the United States Senate and House office buildings in Washington, D.C. In response to the request, NIOSH representatives conducted environmental and epidemiologic evaluations at the Russell, Dirksen, Hart, Cannon, Longworth, Rayburn, and Ford Buildings, the Senate Post-Office Screening Facility, the House Mail Processing Facility, the Capitol building, and Postal Square on February 13-15, 2002. The environmental evaluation included air sample collection for carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity as well as for contaminants potentially derived from heated mail as a result of irradiation, including small and total particulate, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, ozone, carbon monoxide, toluene diisocyanate, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. In addition, bulk samples of irradiated mail and mail that had not gone through the irradiation process were analyzed for anions, metals, and pH. The epidemiologic evaluation consisted of interviews with individual employees who handled or had concerns about the mail, meetings with the Senior Medical Officer from the Office of the Attending Physician (OAP), and review of data collected by the OAP. Air samples indicated non-detectable or low concentrations of sampled contaminants. The types and levels of airborne substances we measured in areas where irradiated mail was handled were not distinguishable in a meaningful way from those measured in areas where irradiated mail was not handled. This comparison was hindered in a few cases where employee interviews revealed that mail volumes and/or mail opening activities were lower on the day that samples were collected. We do not suspect that daily variability of the mail load will have an effect on the results of our environmental evaluation based on the number of buildings and offices evaluated, the number of samples collected, and the low concentrations of any detectable compounds. Many of the volatile organic compounds that were detected are common in indoor air, and the results of the sampling for these compounds generally are similar to results seen by NIOSH in other indoor environments. The bulk sample analysis did not provide information that could link irradiated mail to the reported health effects. . Among the 389 Congressional staff employees interviewed, the most common symptoms were headache, skin irritation, eye irritation, skin rash, dry hands, nausea, and nose or throat irritation. We believe that it is likely that multiple factors are responsible for the reported symptoms. The added dryness of the mail from the irradiation process can lead to dryness and skin irritation from repeated handling of the mail. This is due to the absorptive effect of the damaged cellulose fibers from the irradiated paper drawing moisture off the skin. This drying effect can cause the outer layer of the skin to dry out and fissure, causing chapped and irritated skin. Individuals with a history of atopy (allergies) may have been particularly vulnerable. The we observed in our environmental survey can also exacerbate the symptoms of eye and skin irritation that were seen. In general, established guidelines for occupational exposures are based on the goal of preventing and minimizing measurable adverse effects in healthy populations. They are not based on avoidance of odors, and many chemical odors can be detected by smell at levels below exposure guidelines. Some odors can be detected by humans at levels below those detectable using industrial hygiene techniques. There is evidence that irritation can be produced from volatile organic compounds at very low levels -- levels which would trigger the activation and amplification of the neurosensory mechanisms for an odor threshold (activating the sense of smell), but potentially below levels that we could measure for some compounds. Thus, odors could potentially trigger irritant symptoms experienced by the employees, including some of the mucous membrane irritation and headaches. Adding to the unfamiliar and unpleasant odors causing headaches and irritation, skin irritation, and mucous membrane irritation, was the fact that these occurrences happened in a climate of heightened awareness and unusual anxiety in these Government Buildings due to recent terrorist acts. It is possible that this heightened awareness and resultant employee stress, while not a root cause of the problem, may have contributed to problems caused by the handling of the very dry irradiated mail. Environmental samples collected across several Capitol Hill building locations over a three day period did not reveal any exposures exceeding any existing occupational guidelines. In addition, exposures in irradiated mail locations were not demonstrably higher than exposures in control locations where no mail was opened. These findings are similar to what has been found in other recent investigations of irradiated mail. Medical interviews did result in finding a fairly high number of individuals reporting symptoms of irritation. As noted above, the absorptive effect of the irradiated paper drawing moisture off the skin could account for some of the symptoms, other irritant symptoms may be due to odors associated with the mail, still others due to the and heightened awareness. Therefore, it is likely that a number of causes were responsible for the reported symptoms. Recommendations are provided in the report.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2001) Foeste Masonry, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. (Click to open report) Foeste masonry recently received an OSHA citation for overexposure of workers to crystalline silica during the dry cutting of brick. Foeste subsequently purchased several brick/block cutoff saws equipped with water dust suppression. Until Foeste could show that exposures were adequately controlled, Foeste was required by OSHA to enroll the operators in a respiratory protection program (fit testing and use of half mask, cartridge respirators). On April 3, 2000, Foeste Masonry requested a Health H... (Click to show more)Foeste masonry recently received an OSHA citation for overexposure of workers to crystalline silica during the dry cutting of brick. Foeste subsequently purchased several brick/block cutoff saws equipped with water dust suppression. Until Foeste could show that exposures were adequately controlled, Foeste was required by OSHA to enroll the operators in a respiratory protection program (fit testing and use of half mask, cartridge respirators). On April 3, 2000, Foeste Masonry requested a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) to assess the effectiveness of wet dust suppression during the cutting of brick and block. On May 8, 2000, NIOSH investigators met with Foeste representatives to discuss sampling procedures for collecting airborne dust samples. Environmental measurements of airborne particulate were obtained on May 9 -10,2000. NIOSH investigators determined that dry cutting can lead to intense exposures to silica dust. Such exposures are likely to be very hazardous to workers operating the saws and working in their vicinity. NIOSH recommends that wet cutting be used when ever possible. The sampling undertaken in this study indicates that wet cutting, undertaken using the manufacturer's guidelines, generally leads to exposures to silica dust below the OSHA PEL. It is recommended that saw operators continue to wear at least a NIOSH-approved, disposable respirator, especially when wet cutting for two hours or more. If dry cutting brick or block is necessitated by the building design a Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) should be worn and the cutting time should be limited. Routine evaluation of dust exposures is desirable to ensure that the workers are adequately protected, especially for brick or block of high silica content.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2001) Human Performance International, Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina. (Click to open report) The Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Branch (HETAB) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) collaborated with the Division of Applied Research and Technology (DART) within NIOSH to conduct a pilot research study evaluating occupational exposure to noise and potential ototoxic agents, such as solvents, metals, and asphyxiants, among a stock car racing team. The purpose of the study was to evaluate exposures to noise and ototoxic agents for their potential co... (Click to show more)The Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Branch (HETAB) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) collaborated with the Division of Applied Research and Technology (DART) within NIOSH to conduct a pilot research study evaluating occupational exposure to noise and potential ototoxic agents, such as solvents, metals, and asphyxiants, among a stock car racing team. The purpose of the study was to evaluate exposures to noise and ototoxic agents for their potential combined effect on occupational hearing loss. The exposure assessment included two site visits to the racing team's race shop and two site visits to a racetrack, which represented the worst case exposure scenario due to its small size, steep banking, and high grandstand configuration. An initial site visit was conducted at the professional stock car race team's shop on January 19 and 20, 2000. Air samples were collected to qualitatively and quantitatively identify ototoxic chemicals and other organic compounds. Full-shift and half-shift carbon monoxide (CO) measurements were also collected. Sound pressure levels were measured for the tasks that generated the greatest amount of noise. Noise dosimetry was then conducted to give full-shift personal noise exposures for at least one employee from each job description related to assembling the race car. A follow-up site visit was conducted at the racing team's race shop on February 9, 2000. Full-shift air samples were collected for organic solvents in the paint and body shop areas. A short-term air sample was also collected for lead and 26 other metals and minerals next to a tungsten inert gas (TIG) arc welding station. Noise dosimetry was performed on three workers. Concentrations of toluene, acetone, perchloroethylene, xylenes, styrene, C7-C8 alkanes, and methylene chloride at the race shop were either not detectable or extremely low, and well below any relevant occupational exposure criteria. Mean CO concentrations were well below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 parts per million (ppm), the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limits (REL) of 35 ppm, and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 25 ppm. The peak concentrations, although elevated, did not exceed the 200 ppm NIOSH ceiling REL. The short-term air sample collected for metals near a welding station revealed no detectable concentrations, with the exception of manganese (which was less than 20% of it's most stringent exposure criteria of 1 milligram per cubic meter of air (mg/m3) as an 8-hour-timeweighted average [TWA]). Sound pressure levels for individual job tasks ranged from 58 to 103 decibels, A-weighted [dB(A)]. While the OSHA PEL of 90 dB(A) for an 8-hour TWA was never exceeded, in two instances the values exceeded the OSHA action level (AL) of 85 dB(A) for hearing conservation implementation. The NIOSH REL of 85 dB(A) for an 8-hour TWA was exceeded for five of the nine measured jobs. Only three of the workers (21%) were observed wearing ear plugs during their work shift. An initial site visit was conducted at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, on March 24 and 25, 2000. Air samples were collected for organic compounds, CO, and lead during the race. Although isopentane, C8 alkanes (isooctane, dimethylhexanes, trimethylpentanes), and toluene were the major compounds detected, the amounts of even these compounds were insufficient to quantify. Mean CO concentrations were well below all evaluation criteria. Air samples collected for lead revealed either non-detectable, or extremely low concentrations, well below the occupational exposure criteria. Noise measurements were performed on both practice and race days (March 24 and 25, 2000, respectively) which included sound level meter measurements and noise dosimetry conducted in and around the pit area, as well as inside the race car. Both the OSHA PEL and NIOSH REL were exceeded in every instance with average noise levels above 100 dB. A follow-up site visit was conducted at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, on August 25, 2000, to measure CO and perform more noise dosimetry. Full-shift mean CO concentrations in some locations exceeded the PEL, REL, and TLV of 39 ppm, 19 ppm, and 27 ppm, respectively, after they were adjusted for a 10-hour day. Peak CO concentrations exceeded the NIOSH recommended ceiling limit of 200 ppm in three of the five sampling locations during the practice period. Peak concentrations in two of the three locations where measurements were collected over the full day also exceeded 200 ppm. Noise dosimetry and sound level meter measurements were also conducted. Both the OSHA PEL and NIOSH REL were exceeded in every instance. Based on the environmental data collected during this pilot study, exposures to potentially ototoxic agents are not high enough to produce an adverse effect greater than that produced by the high sound pressure levels alone. Carbon monoxide levels, however, occasionally exceeded all evaluation criteria at the race track evaluated. In addition, noise exposures occasionally exceeded the OSHA PEL at the team's race shop and exceed all evaluation criteria at the race track evaluated. Recommendations are included to reduce exposures to potentially ototoxic agents that have the likelihood of producing high short-term exposures and to control noise exposures through the use of appropriate strategies (such as wearing hearing protection with a high enough noise reduction rating [NRR] to provide adequate attenuation).
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2001) Lehigh Portland Cement Company, Union Bridge, Maryland. (Click to open report) On May 30, 2000, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a health hazard evaluation (HHE) request from the Paper, Allied Industrial, Chemical, and Energy Workers Union Local 2-0031 regarding fly ash exposures during the cement manufacturing process at the Lehigh Portland Cement Company in Union Bridge, Maryland. The union was concerned about possible exposures to crystalline silica as a constituent of the fly ash (approximately 1-6%) used in the cement manufac... (Click to show more)On May 30, 2000, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a health hazard evaluation (HHE) request from the Paper, Allied Industrial, Chemical, and Energy Workers Union Local 2-0031 regarding fly ash exposures during the cement manufacturing process at the Lehigh Portland Cement Company in Union Bridge, Maryland. The union was concerned about possible exposures to crystalline silica as a constituent of the fly ash (approximately 1-6%) used in the cement manufacturing process. On July 24-25, 2000, NIOSH investigators conducted a site visit at the Lehigh Portland Cement Company. Area and personal breathing zone (PBZ) air samples were collected for total dust, respirable dust, and crystalline silica. Bulk samples of the fly ash and raw feed were also collected and analyzed for crystalline silica content and elements (e.g., chromium, copper, nickel, lead, magnesium, manganese, titanium, zinc, etc.). A return site visit was conducted on December 13, 2000, to collect PBZ air samples for elements. PBZ air samples collected for respirable dust, quartz (crystalline silica), cristobalite, and elements did not indicate any exposures exceeding applicable exposure criteria. Three area samples collected at different times in the raw mill separator area indicated total dust concentrations of 149 milligrams of dust per cubic meter of air (mg/m3), 14 mg/m3, and 20 mg/m3. (The settled dust [on equipment, stairs, floors, etc.] in the raw mill area, and leaks in the process equipment may affect dust sample concentrations collected at different times during the day). Three out of seven workers sampled during the initial site visit had total dust time-weighted average (TWA) exposures above the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 10 mg/m3. Two of these workers were performing work tasks in the mill room and had TWA exposures that also exceeded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for total dust (15 mg/m3). PBZ air samples collected on a worker repairing a leak in the process equipment (located within the raw mill building) indicated an extremely high total dust TWA concentration (3800 mg/m3). This sample was not representative of the worker's breathing zone exposure (dust was blowing directly on the sampling cassette at a high velocity while he was repairing the leak). However, because of the high concentration in this sample, it is possible that the worker's true exposure to total dust concentrations was well over applicable exposure criteria. All area and PBZ air samples for quartz (crystalline silica) were below applicable exposure criteria. However, PBZ air samples indicated that total dust TWA exposures were in excess of applicable exposure criteria. Recommendations to control total dust exposures include shutting off process equipment when performing maintenance activities to repair leaks; fixing leaks in process equipment to reduce dust generating sources; using engineering and administrative controls when feasible; using respirators when other controls are not feasible; using vacuums (with P95 filters) instead of pressurized air to clean off work clothing; and re-sampling after any process changes to evaluate worker exposures under new conditions.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(2001) Letter to Echo Bay Marina, Lake Mead, Nevada. (Click to open report) On December 8, 2000, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request from management officials of Seven Crown Resorts to evaluate carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations associated with the operation of houseboats on Lake Mead. On January 24 - 25, 2001, NIOSH investigators conducted a site visit at Lake Mead to investigate CO concentrations on houseboats located at Echo Bay Marina, Nevada. This letter describes our evaluation methods, findings, and conclusions. T... (Click to show more)On December 8, 2000, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request from management officials of Seven Crown Resorts to evaluate carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations associated with the operation of houseboats on Lake Mead. On January 24 - 25, 2001, NIOSH investigators conducted a site visit at Lake Mead to investigate CO concentrations on houseboats located at Echo Bay Marina, Nevada. This letter describes our evaluation methods, findings, and conclusions. The Seven Crown Resorts houseboats evaluated at Echo Bay Marina were designed as pontoon boats with the generator exhaust discharging out to the side. The back of the houseboats did not have slides, and the stairs leading down to the water were located on the opposite side of the boat away from the generator exhaust. Warning CO labels were located on the back of the boat and directly above the generator exhaust discharge. These design features help deter individuals from spending time directly near the generator exhaust discharge area. During our evaluation at Echo Bay Marina the prevailing wind was moving the exhaust gases away from the back of the houseboats and not toward the back decks. Therefore, no extremely high CO concentrations (CO concentrations above the NIOSH IDLH value of 1,200 ppm) were measured on the back of the houseboats. IDLH environments were measured with detector tubes and the emissions analyzer directly near the generator exhaust discharge. Therefore, the possibility of high CO concentrations may exist under environmental conditions that would carry the exhaust gases toward the back of the houseboat. A previous study has documented that the area around the back deck of houseboats can be hazardous under certain environmental conditions (i.e., lack of air movement) when the generator or motors are in operation. Individuals swimming or working in the area directly near the generator exhaust (with the gasoline generator in operation) could be exposed to extremely high CO concentrations resulting in CO poisoning or death within a short period of time. This evaluation was performed in January which is not in the prime operating season for houseboats. Activities at the dock were slow, due to the low number of houseboat rentals. Therefore, personal sampling was not conducted. However, general recommendations are provided to help control potential worker CO exposures. In addition, recommendations are provided to reduce the potential for CO exposure around the generator exhaust and back deck on houseboats.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(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) (Click to open report)
(2000) Claremont Flock Corporation, Claremont, NH. (Click to open report) The Claremont Flock Corporation produces flock, from tow and cotton scrap fabric, and bags the products in four plants in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The management requested a health hazard evaluation (HHE) to get a better understanding of the respiratory hazards in the plants. 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.... (Click to show more)The Claremont Flock Corporation produces flock, from tow and cotton scrap fabric, and bags the products in four plants in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The management requested a health hazard evaluation (HHE) to get a better understanding of the respiratory hazards in the plants. 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 Claremont Flock had a diagnosis of the same illness. In November 1998, NIOSH conducted an investigation at the Claremont Flock plants consisting of a symptom and work history questionnaire and personal and area sampling, primarily for respirable dust (dust small enough to reach the deepest areas of the lungs) and fiber counts. About 81% 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.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
(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) (Click to open report)
(2000) Haverhill High School, Haverhill, Massachusetts. (Click to open report) On January 27, 1999, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a confidential request from staff at Haverhill High School in Haverhill, Massachusetts, for an evaluation of exposures to crystalline silica and other compounds in ceramics. The request indicated that employees were concerned about developing emphysema, silicosis, and/or asthma due to exposure to ceramics materials. In addition, the request indicated that staff were concerned about exposures to vari... (Click to show more)On January 27, 1999, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a confidential request from staff at Haverhill High School in Haverhill, Massachusetts, for an evaluation of exposures to crystalline silica and other compounds in ceramics. The request indicated that employees were concerned about developing emphysema, silicosis, and/or asthma due to exposure to ceramics materials. In addition, the request indicated that staff were concerned about exposures to various materials used in five art rooms, and the woodworking shop. On April 27, 1999, an initial site visit was conducted which included an opening conference, informal discussions with teachers, and a walk-through inspection of the art rooms and woodworking shop. During the walk-through, activities were identified in ceramics and woodworking classrooms which could result in exposure to crystalline silica, metals, and wood dust. On May 4, 1999, a second site visit was conducted where environmental monitoring was conducted for airborne crystalline silica in the ceramics classroom, and wood dust in the woodworking shop. Surface wipe sampling for metals was conducted in ceramics. Measured concentrations of respirable crystalline silica were below the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) during the monitoring period. Neither of the respirable area samples revealed detectable levels of crystalline silica. Total crystalline silica (quartz) concentrations of 0.070 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) and 0.075 mg/m3 were quantified in bulk air samples collected at the wedging table and at the center of the classroom, respectively. A bulk sample of settled dust, collected from a shelf adjacent to the door leading to the corridor, contained 25% quartz. Cristobalite was not detected in any of the samples. Gravimetric analysis of air samples indicates that concentrations of all airborne particulates were below occupational exposure limits for particulates not otherwise regulated (PNOR). Surface wipe sampling for metals found the highest concentrations of metals in the storage closet where glazes are prepared from powdered materials. Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) is not provided at the wedging table or in the glaze preparation area. The highest concentration of wood dust (3.4 mg/m3 during a 50-minute period) was measured in the personal breathing zone (PBZ) sample collected on the woodworking instructor. A similar concentration (3.2 mg/m3 during a 78-minute period) was measured in the vicinity of two students who were using hand-held orbit sanders at a "homemade" downdraft table. The presence of crystalline silica in a settled dust sample indicates a need for LEV and appropriate housekeeping practices in the ceramics classroom. Air samples collected in the woodworking shop indicate that current LEV is not providing effective control of wood dust. Recommendations include substituting premixed glazes, installation of effective LEV systems in ceramics and woodworking classrooms, improved housekeeping practices in ceramics, and implementation of an effective Chemical Hazard Communication Program.
(Click to show less) (Click to open report)
