Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs)

(1992) Metropolitan Sewer District, Mill Creek Facility, Cincinnati, Ohio. (Click to open report)
In response to a confidential request from an employee, a health hazard evaluation was conducted at the Metropolitan Sewer District, Mill Creek Facility (SIC-4952) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Concern had been expressed regarding exposure to sulfur-dioxide (7446095), nitrogen oxides, inorganic acids, metals, dioxins, furans, and bacteria in the sludge dewatering and incineration buildings. There were approximately 60 employees on three shifts with the potential for exposure in the sewer sludge dewaterin... (Click to show more) In response to a confidential request from an employee, a health hazard evaluation was conducted at the Metropolitan Sewer District, Mill Creek Facility (SIC-4952) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Concern had been expressed regarding exposure to sulfur-dioxide (7446095), nitrogen oxides, inorganic acids, metals, dioxins, furans, and bacteria in the sludge dewatering and incineration buildings. There were approximately 60 employees on three shifts with the potential for exposure in the sewer sludge dewatering and incineration buildings. Personal breathing zone and area air samples were taken along with surface wipe and bulk materials samples. Contaminant concentrations did not exceed current environmental evaluation criteria for the substances investigated. Health complaints were not reported by employees at the time of the site visits. The authors conclude that concentrations of cadmium (7440439), chromium (7440473), lead (7439921), nickel (7440020), and quartz (14808607) in dewatered sludge and surface dusts represented potential ingestion and inhalation hazards. The authors recommend measures to prevent contact with contaminated materials. (Click to show less)
(Click to open report)

(1992) The Mueller Company, Decatur, Illinois. (Click to open report)
In response to a request from an authorized employee representative at the Mueller Company (SIC-3362), Decatur, Illinois, an evaluation was undertaken of formaldehyde (50000) exposures to employees in the core making room and pour deck areas. The Mueller Company is a grey iron and brass foundry producing valves for water and gas distribution service. Formaldehyde levels of 0.32 to 0.65 parts per million were recorded. Three of seven readings exceeded the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 1 part... (Click to show more) In response to a request from an authorized employee representative at the Mueller Company (SIC-3362), Decatur, Illinois, an evaluation was undertaken of formaldehyde (50000) exposures to employees in the core making room and pour deck areas. The Mueller Company is a grey iron and brass foundry producing valves for water and gas distribution service. Formaldehyde levels of 0.32 to 0.65 parts per million were recorded. Three of seven readings exceeded the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 1 part per million. Respirable dust sampling measured 4.34mg/m3 in the breathing zone of the muller operator and 1.46mg/m3 at a location 10 feet from the front of the muller at breathing zone height. Silica (14808607) content in these samples was 60.2% and 50.0%, respectively. Exposure to cadmium (7440439), lead (7439921), and zinc (7440666) on the pour deck exceeded one or more of the evaluation criteria; appropriate respiratory protection was used by workers in this area. Symptoms reported by the workers included headache, sinus pain, nausea, and eye irritation. Silicosis was verified in one worker. Formaldehyde related dermatitis was diagnosed in another. The authors conclude that there was a hazard from exposures to formaldehyde and silica. The authors recommend specific measures to reduce these hazardous exposures. (Click to show less)
(Click to open report)

(1992) U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, New River Gorge National River, West Virginia. (Click to open report)
In response to a request from the U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service a study was undertaken to characterize the exposure of forest fire fighting crews (SIC-0851) to chemical contaminants during the suppression of fires. Data were collected during the Gauley Mountain Fire at the New River Gorge National River in West Virginia. Eight hour time weighted average exposures ranged up to 9 parts per million (ppm) for both carbon-monoxide (630080) (CO) and sulfur-dioxide (7446095) (SO2).... (Click to show more) In response to a request from the U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service a study was undertaken to characterize the exposure of forest fire fighting crews (SIC-0851) to chemical contaminants during the suppression of fires. Data were collected during the Gauley Mountain Fire at the New River Gorge National River in West Virginia. Eight hour time weighted average exposures ranged up to 9 parts per million (ppm) for both carbon-monoxide (630080) (CO) and sulfur-dioxide (7446095) (SO2). Of the 40 personal breathing zone measurements of SO2 exposure, 23 were at or above the NIOSH recommended exposure limit of 2ppm. Formaldehyde concentrations up to 0.10ppm were determined. No levels of silica (14808607) were detectable. Naphthalene (91203) measurements ranged up to 6.1 micrograms per cubic meter. The author concludes that fire fighters were overexposed to SO2 during wildfire suppression activities. The author recommends that SO2 exposures be reduced. (Click to show less)
(Click to open report)

(1991) ASARCO New Market/Young Mines, Mascot, Tennessee. (Click to open report)
In response to a request from the International Chemical Workers Union, Akron, Ohio, an investigation was made into possible hazardous working conditions at two American Smelting and Refining Company (SIC-1031) zinc mines (New Market and Young) in Mascot, Tennessee. Specifically, exposures to asbestos (1332214), silica (14808607), and diesel emissions were determined. At both mines overexposures were found to nitrogen-dioxide (10102440) (NO2) and coal-tar pitch volatiles. Twenty four percent of ... (Click to show more) In response to a request from the International Chemical Workers Union, Akron, Ohio, an investigation was made into possible hazardous working conditions at two American Smelting and Refining Company (SIC-1031) zinc mines (New Market and Young) in Mascot, Tennessee. Specifically, exposures to asbestos (1332214), silica (14808607), and diesel emissions were determined. At both mines overexposures were found to nitrogen-dioxide (10102440) (NO2) and coal-tar pitch volatiles. Twenty four percent of the NO2 measurements taken were above the NIOSH recommended ceiling of 1 part per million (ppm), but none exceeded the Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) ceiling of 5ppm. Exposure to diesel particulates ranged from 0.24 to 1.06mg/m3. None of the 52 respirable dust samples collected exceeded the calculated MSHA limits for free silica exposure. A medical evaluation was offered and 83 of the 400 current employees and one retired employee participated. Seven underground employees were found with small opacity readings of greater than 1/0. Pulmonary function tests indicated that four employees had moderate airway obstruction, 17 had mild obstruction and two had mild restriction of lung volume. Three with obstructive lung disease pattern also had positive radiographs for pneumoconiosis. The authors conclude that workers were overexposed to coal-tar pitch volatiles and NO2; radiographic and pulmonary function test results suggest that a chronic respiratory health effect may be related to cumulative workplace exposures. The authors recommend measures for lowering the exposures and the development of a medical surveillance program. (Click to show less)
(Click to open report)

(1991) Grosse Pointes-Clinton Refuse Disposal Authority, Mount Clemens, Michigan. (Click to open report)
In response to a request from a representative of employees at the Grosse Pointes-Clinton Municipal Refuse Authority (SIC-4953), Mount Clemens, Michigan, an evaluation was undertaken of possible exposures associated with incinerator ash at the incinerator site. Two visits to the site were made. During the first visit it was determined that the weekly clean out operation was the primary source of employee exposures to ash. During the second visit analyses were made of air samples, total dust, res... (Click to show more) In response to a request from a representative of employees at the Grosse Pointes-Clinton Municipal Refuse Authority (SIC-4953), Mount Clemens, Michigan, an evaluation was undertaken of possible exposures associated with incinerator ash at the incinerator site. Two visits to the site were made. During the first visit it was determined that the weekly clean out operation was the primary source of employee exposures to ash. During the second visit analyses were made of air samples, total dust, respirable dust, respirable crystalline silica (14808607), ash and metals. Potential short term exposures to high levels of crystalline silica, lead (7439921), and total dust were noted during the clean out operation. One personal air sample collected for total dust exposure measured 20.5mg/m3 which exceeded the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15mg/m3. The NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit of 0.5mg/m3 for crystalline silica was exceeded for one personal breathing zone air sample. The author concludes that workers were exposed to crystalline silica, lead and total dust during cleanout; personal exposures did not exceed the OSHA PELs because cleanout was completed in less than 2 hours. The author recommends improvements to work practices and provision of better personal protective equipment. (Click to show less)
(Click to open report)