Health Hazard Evaluations
Outputs: Publications
After a hazard evaluation is complete, NIOSH reports its findings and recommendations to employers, employees, and employee representatives. Verbal reports are normally provided to employer and employee representatives during a closing conference at the conclusion of a site visit and by telephone. Often, results are only preliminary or incomplete at that time. Written interim reports are sometimes provided while an investigation is still in progress.
When all the information and data have been analyzed, NIOSH issues a report of its final determination, giving findings and recommendations. Copies of this report are sent to the requestor, the employer, employee representatives, OSHA, and other appropriate agencies. The final report is considered public information.
NIOSH HHE reports are available can be accessed using the following search:
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Tip: Enter Search terms based on topic (e.g., exposure or disease), company name, or HHE number.
New Health Hazard Evaluations
Evaluation of potential health hazards at a vehicle repair shop.
HETA-2007-0055-3073
The HHE Program responded to a request concerning employees’ exposure to diesel exhaust and asbestos-containing dust and cleaning solvents used during vehicle brake repair work. HHE Program investigators took bulk samples of brake dust and pieces of brake shoes to look for asbestos. Investigators also reviewed information on brake cleaners and washes used at the shop. Investigators determined that brake pads did not contain asbestos, but two brake cleaners being used contained tetrachloroethylene, a potential carcinogen. Investigators also found that one employee had possible work-related skin and throat irritation, and one had eye irritation. Fittings used to connect exhaust pipes and hoses were loose, contributing to poor ventilation in the shop. HHE Program investigators recommended that facility managers continue to use non-asbestos-containing brake shoes and pads, and discontinue the use of brake cleaners containing tetrachloroethylene. It was recommended that managers tighten connections between exhaust pipes and hoses, and connect hoses to exterior windows to improve shop ventilation. HHE Program investigators also recommended that employees use mild soap and water to clean hands, and moisturizing lotion to protect their skin.
Evaluation of potential exposure to carbon monoxide and metals.
HETA-2006-0336-3059
The HHE Program responded to a request at a state vehicle maintenance garage. The request concerned potential exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead that may have accumulated on work surfaces throughout the garage. HHE Program investigators measured CO when vehicles were running in the garage and collected surface wipe samples for metals on work and non-work surfaces. The investigators found that CO concentrations were well below occupational exposure limits. Arsenic was not detected in any of the surface wipe samples. Low concentrations of cadmium and relatively high surface lead concentrations were detected on the bench grinder and chain saw sharpener workbenches. Leads concentrations were either not detected or in trace concentrations on other work and non-work surfaces. HHE Program investigators recommended that vehicles not be permitted to idle in the garage and that both garage doors be kept open and exhaust fans used when vehicles are running. Investigators recommended that managers ensure that the bench grinder and chain saw sharpener workbench surfaces are cleaned each day after use. Investigators recommended that employees remove personal protective equipment before using the break or kitchen areas and store it in a clean area when not in use. Employees should wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking to prevent ingestion of lead and other metals.
Evaluation of potential exposures related to mixing clays and glazes.
HETA-2007-0127-3068
The HHE Program responded to a request at a pottery shop which concerned potential exposures to silica, volatile organic compounds, and dry materials mixed there. HHE Program investigators collected personal breathing zone and area air samples, surface wipe samples, measured carbon monoxide (CO) during forklift use, and performed an ergonomic assessment of work practices. Investigators found that one employee’s exposure for silica was at the NIOSH recommended exposure limit of 0.05 mg/m3. They also found that some samples taken during high dust-generating tasks exceeded the excursion limit for silica. CO levels measured in the facility exceeded the NIOSH ceiling limit of 200 parts per million during forklift use. Investigators also noticed that some workers were not wearing their respirators properly. HHE Program investigators recommended that facility managers install local exhaust ventilation in high dust-generating task areas and improve the central building ventilation to increase overall air mixing. Investigators also recommended that managers ensure that employees wear respirators and that employees use respirators when needed. HHE Program investigators also recommended that employees properly store and maintain all personal protective equipment.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
A task-based assessment of noise levels at a swine confinement.
J Agromedicine 2007 Apr; 12(2)55:65.
Occupational Noise Levels During Emergency Relief Operations in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
J Occup Environ Hyg 2007 Apr; 4(4):D33-D35
Workplace related lower extremities disorders: Workplace adaptations with case studies.
Margarita Nordin, Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace, Mosby.
Protecting Poultry Workers from Exposure to Avian Influenza Viruses.
Public Health Report v123(3):316-322.
Noise exposures from Canines and hearing loss among police officers assigned to Canine Unit.
Noise and Health.
Blood-borne pathogens among firefighters and emergency medical technicians.
Prehosp Emerg Care 2005 9(2):236 247.
The effect of filter material on bioaerosol collection of Bacillus subtilis spores used as a Bacillis anthracis stimulant.
J Environ Monit 2005 7(5):475 480.
Physical collection efficiency of filter materials for bacteria and viruses.
Ann Occup Hyg 2007 51(2):143 151.
Needs and opportunities for research in hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005 171(7):792 798.
Ototoxic occupational exposures for a stock car racing team: II. chemical surveys.
J Occup Environ Hyg 2005 2(8)406 413.
Eye and respiratory symptoms in poultry processing work.
Am J Ind Med 2006 49(2):119 126.
Air contaminant exposures among transportation security administration checked baggage screeners at four international airports.
J Occup Environ Hyg 2006 3(4):D36 41.
Causes and prevention of symptom complaints in office buildings: Distilling the experience of indoor environmental quality investigators.
Facilities 2006 24(11/12):436 444.
Airborne hexamethylene diisocyanate and particulate matter exposures during fire/rescue vehicle ladder finishing operations.
J Occup Environ Hyg 2006 3(3):D28 32.
Methodologic issues regarding Stachyhemolysin and Stachyrase-A as clinical biomarkers.
Med Sci Monit 2005 11(9):LE7 8.
Evaluation of the NIOSH MWF total particular matter: Thoracic particulate matter conversion factor in a machining environment.
J Occup Environ Hyg 2005 2(4):293 243.
Floodwater exposure and the related health symptoms among firefighters in New Orleans, Louisiana, 2005.
Am J Ind Med 2007 50(5):377 382.
Depressive symptoms among firefighters and related factors after the response to Hurricane Katrina.
J Urban Health 2007 84(2):153 161.
Physical and mental health symptoms among NYC transit workers seven and one-half months after WTC attacks.
Am J Ind Med 2005 47(6):475 483.
Acute symptoms associated with asphalt fume exposure among road pavers.
Am J Ind Med 2006 49(9):728 739.
Ototoxic occupational exposures for a stock car racing team: I. Noise surveys.
J Occup Environ Hyg 2005 2(8):383 390.
Occupational exposures during the World Trade Center disaster response.
Toxicol Ind Health 2005 17(5–10):247 253.
Book Chapters
Conducting workplace investigations.
Occupational and Environmental Health. Philadelphia PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005 Nov, 683 696.
Tuberculosis.
Preventing occupational disease and injury, 2nd edition. American Public Health Association, 2005, 492 499.
Conference Proceedings
The magnitude, science base, and solutions for one of the largest occupational health problems in the United States.
Proceedings of the International Conference of Occupational Health, Singapore. (In press).
Causes and prevention of symptom complaints in office buildings: Distilling the experience of indoor environmental quality investigators.
Proceedings of the Tenth International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate. INDOOR AIR 2005, Beijing, China.
NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program.
Proceedings of the Thirty-Ninth Annual Conference on Occupational Safety and Health. Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Seoul, Korea.
MMWR Articles
Inhalation anthrax associated with dried animal hides--Pennsylvania and New York City, 2006.
MMWR 55(10):280 282.
Health hazard evaluation of police officers and firefighters after Hurricane Katrina – New Orleans, Louisiana, October 17–28 and November 30–December 5, 2005.
MMWR 55(16):456 458.
Mold prevention strategies and possible health effects in the aftermath of hurricanes and major floods.
MMWR 55(RR08):1 27.
Nonfatal injuries following Hurricane Katrina -- New Orleans, Louisiana, 2005.
MMWR 55(2):213 217.
Professional Association Publications
Respirable silica: A health hazard to coatings professionals.
Coatings Pro 2006 6(1):16 17, 105.
Respirable silica: A health hazard for roofers working with cement tiles.
Professional Roofing 2006 35(8):36 41.
Preventing the toxic hand-off.
Occupational Hazards 2005 67(9):53 61.
The nail salon next door.
National Association of Local Boards of Health Newsletter (NewsBrief) Third quarter, 2006, 7.
Elimination of silicosis in the Americas.
Global Occupational Health Network (GOHNET) Newsletter 2007 (12):10 12.
Silica hazard found in the cement tile roofing industry.
The Synergist 2007 18(3):38 39.
Time-weighted averages and fire fighter hearing loss.
CAOHC 2004 Update 16(2):4,10.
Noise exposure in aircraft passenger cabins during flight operations.
Spectrum 2006 23(Sup 1):25.
Page last updated: February 10, 2009
Page last reviewed: February 6, 2009
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies
