National Occupational Exposure Survey
(1981 - 1983)

Estimated Percentages of Controlled and Uncontrolled Potential Exposures to Specific Agents by Occupation within 2-Digit Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)*

Agent Name HELIUM
CAS # 7440-59-7
RTECS # MH6520000 
Agent Code 35925

AGRICULTURAL SERVICES (SIC 07)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
019 MANAGERS AND ADMINISTRATORS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
403
086 VETERINARIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
2,015
208 HEALTH TECHNOLOGISTS AND TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
403
453 JANITORS AND CLEANERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
403
487 ANIMAL CARETAKERS, EXCEPT FARM 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
806
SUBTOTAL 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
4,030
FOOD AND KINDRED PRODUCTS (SIC 20)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
073 CHEMISTS, EXCEPT BIOCHEMISTS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
47
083 MEDICAL SCIENTISTS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
46
223 BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
781
224 CHEMICAL TECHNICIANS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
282
783 WELDERS AND CUTTERS 0.0%
0.0%
66.7%
33.3%
0.0%
53
797 PRODUCTION TESTERS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
739
SUBTOTAL 44.8%
0.0%
1.8%
15.3%
37.9%
1,948
APPAREL AND OTHER TEXTILE PRODUCTS (SIC 23)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
216 ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
341
SUBTOTAL 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
341
CHEMICALS AND ALLIED PRODUCTS (SIC 28)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
073 CHEMISTS, EXCEPT BIOCHEMISTS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
1,251
223 BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
686
224 CHEMICAL TECHNICIANS 94.7%
0.0%
0.0%
4.7%
0.6%
1,611
225 SCIENCE TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
326
235 TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
512
453 JANITORS AND CLEANERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
825
754 PACKAGING AND FILLING MACHINE OPERATORS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
167
779 MACHINE OPERATORS, NOT SPECIFIED 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
5,878
889 LABORERS, EXCEPT CONSTRUCTION 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
165
SUBTOTAL 47.7%
0.0%
51.4%
0.6%
8.4%
11,421
PETROLEUM AND COAL PRODUCTS (SIC 29)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
019 MANAGERS AND ADMINISTRATORS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
7
073 CHEMISTS, EXCEPT BIOCHEMISTS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
428
213 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC TECHNICIANS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
293
224 CHEMICAL TECHNICIANS 53.8%
0.0%
0.0%
27.5%
18.7%
1,878
225 SCIENCE TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
189
453 JANITORS AND CLEANERS 0.0%
98.6%
1.4%
0.0%
0.0%
7,400
585 PLUMBERS, PIPEFITTERS, AND STEAMFITTERS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
279
699 MISCELLANEOUS PLANT AND SYSTEM OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
703
766 FURNACE, KILN, AND OVEN OPERATORS, EXC. FOOD 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
28
777 MISCELLANEOUS MACHINE OPERATORS, N.E.C. 57.4%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
42.6%
985
779 MACHINE OPERATORS, NOT SPECIFIED 0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
5,593
883 FREIGHT, STOCK, AND MATERIAL MOVERS, HAND, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
878
SUBTOTAL 10.9%
69.0%
0.5%
2.7%
16.6%
18,661
STONE, CLAY, AND GLASS PRODUCTS (SIC 32)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
073 CHEMISTS, EXCEPT BIOCHEMISTS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
6
208 HEALTH TECHNOLOGISTS AND TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
24
235 TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
12
SUBTOTAL 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
42
PRIMARY METAL INDUSTRIES (SIC 33)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
216 ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
126
235 TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
92
757 SEPARATING, FILTERING, AND CLARIFYING MACHINE OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
261
797 PRODUCTION TESTERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
123
SUBTOTAL 56.6%
0.0%
0.0%
43.3%
0.0%
602
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS (SIC 34)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
216 ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
167
724 HEAT TREATING EQUIPMENT OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
6
783 WELDERS AND CUTTERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
262
785 ASSEMBLERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
1,624
SUBTOTAL 91.5%
0.0%
0.2%
0.0%
8.1%
2,059
MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (SIC 35)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
215 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
58
453 JANITORS AND CLEANERS 94.3%
0.0%
0.0%
5.7%
0.0%
502
645 PATTERNMAKERS AND MODEL MAKERS, METAL 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
514
774 PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESS MACHINE OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
90
783 WELDERS AND CUTTERS 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
3,418
785 ASSEMBLERS 68.9%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
31.1%
304
SUBTOTAL 25.6%
0.0%
69.9%
0.5%
3.7%
4,886
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT (SIC 36)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
213 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC TECHNICIANS 35.5%
0.0%
0.0%
3.9%
60.6%
1,030
225 SCIENCE TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
31.3%
68.8%
0.0%
0.0%
394
453 JANITORS AND CLEANERS 44.7%
26.9%
26.9%
0.0%
1.6%
2,294
633 SUPERVISORS, PRODUCTION OCCUPATIONS 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
78
637 MACHINISTS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
86
683 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT ASSEMBLERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
35
689 INSPECTORS, TESTERS, AND GRADERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
588
703 LATHE AND TURNING MACHINE SET-UP OPERATORS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
9
709 GRINDING, ABRADING, BUFFING, AND POLISHING MACHINE OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
29
777 MISCELLANEOUS MACHINE OPERATORS, N.E.C. 96.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
4.0%
286
779 MACHINE OPERATORS, NOT SPECIFIED 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
35
783 WELDERS AND CUTTERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
39
784 SOLDERERS AND BRAZERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
164
785 ASSEMBLERS 10.2%
0.0%
13.7%
29.7%
46.4%
1,321
796 PRODUCTION INSPECTORS, CHECKERS, AND EXAMINERS 97.3%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
2.7%
86
SUBTOTAL 43.8%
11.4%
17.7%
6.6%
20.3%
6,474
TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT (SIC 37)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
213 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC TECHNICIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
43
215 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
58
216 ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 76.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
24.0%
47
224 CHEMICAL TECHNICIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
17
235 TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
22
636 PRECISION ASSEMBLERS, METAL 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
22
723 METAL PLATING MACHINE OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
50.0%
50.0%
0.0%
68
724 HEAT TREATING EQUIPMENT OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
50.0%
50.0%
851
753 CEMENTING AND GLUING MACHINE OPERATORS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
7
759 PAINTING AND PAINT SPRAYING MACHINE OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
50
779 MACHINE OPERATORS, NOT SPECIFIED 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
567
783 WELDERS AND CUTTERS 0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
44
785 ASSEMBLERS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
190
797 PRODUCTION TESTERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
14
SUBTOTAL 38.1%
0.0%
3.9%
22.9%
34.9%
2,000
INSTRUMENTS AND RELATED PRODUCTS (SIC 38)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
216 ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
116
235 TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 50.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
50.0%
118
SUBTOTAL 25.2%
0.0%
0.0%
49.5%
25.2%
234
TRUCKING AND WAREHOUSING (SIC 42)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
633 SUPERVISORS, PRODUCTION OCCUPATIONS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
1,757
SUBTOTAL 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
1,757
ELECTRIC, GAS, AND SANITARY SERVICES (SIC 49)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
216 ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
437
699 MISCELLANEOUS PLANT AND SYSTEM OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
1,537
SUBTOTAL 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
1,974
WHOLESALE TRADE - NONDURABLE GOODS (SIC 51)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
754 PACKAGING AND FILLING MACHINE OPERATORS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
1,545
SUBTOTAL 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
1,545
BUSINESS SERVICES (SIC 73)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
069 PHYSICISTS AND ASTRONOMERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
775
073 CHEMISTS, EXCEPT BIOCHEMISTS 11.9%
0.0%
0.6%
86.7%
0.8%
3,597
213 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC TECHNICIANS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
50.0%
50.0%
1,480
216 ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
62.4%
37.6%
3,987
225 SCIENCE TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 87.6%
0.0%
0.0%
12.4%
0.0%
7,109
235 TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
50.0%
50.0%
1,954
453 JANITORS AND CLEANERS 79.6%
0.0%
0.0%
20.4%
0.0%
710
689 INSPECTORS, TESTERS, AND GRADERS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
156
SUBTOTAL 41.2%
0.0%
0.1%
42.2%
16.4%
19,768
HEALTH SERVICES (SIC 80)
Code Occupation Description (1980) No
Control
Resp
Prot
Other
PPE

Vent
Other
Control

Exposures
059 ENGINEERS, N.E.C. 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
47
073 CHEMISTS, EXCEPT BIOCHEMISTS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
16
078 BIOLOGICAL AND LIFE SCIENTISTS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
35.5%
64.5%
827
084 PHYSICIANS 100.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
246
095 REGISTERED NURSES 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
684
098 INHALATION THERAPISTS 87.3%
0.0%
0.0%
12.7%
0.0%
4,814
105 THERAPISTS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
231
203 CLINICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS AND TECHNICIANS 65.1%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
34.9%
1,046
207 LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
28
208 HEALTH TECHNOLOGISTS AND TECHNICIANS, N.E.C. 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
319
447 NURSING AIDES, ORDERLIES, AND ATTENDANTS 0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
100.0%
265
SUBTOTAL 60.7%
0.0%
0.0%
10.8%
28.4%
8,523
TOTAL 38.1%
15.7%
12.3%
15.0%
18.5%
86,265
RELATED PAGES: Estimates by SIC, Estimates by Occupation, Estimates by Occupation within SIC
ABBREVIATIONS:
Resp Prot = Respiratory Protection
Other PPE = Personal Protective Equipment Other Than Respiratory Protection
Vent = Ventilation

*(1) The estimates for each occupation apply only to the 3- and 4-digit SICs surveyed within the 2-digit SIC where the agent was observed. Not all SICs were surveyed, and not all agents were observed in all surveyed SICs. (2) When using the estimated numbers of exposures, standard errors associated with estimates should be considered. (3) Potential exposures to a chemical agent are categorized as actual (i.e., the surveyor observed the use of the specific agent) or tradename (i.e., the surveyor observed the use of a tradename product known to contain the specific agent). The estimates presented in the table combine both categories. (4) For a given occupation, the estimated number of potential exposures is not necessarily equal to the estimated total number of potentially exposed workers. For example, a worker may be exposed to the same agent from multiple sources; thus, it is not the worker that is controlled but the exposure. (5) The presence or absence of controls does not imply that controls are necessary or required. The estimates and the controls are strictly based on observations associated with potential exposures.

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