HHE determination report no. HHE-77-31-432, Inland Steel Corporation, East Chicago, Indiana, 46312.
Source
Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HHE 77-31-432, 1977 Oct; :1-23
Abstract
A Health Hazard Evaluation investigation was conducted by NIOSH on January 17-20 and May 25-26, 1977, in the Pickling and Chipping Dock of the Inland Steel Corporation, East Chicago, Indiana, a facility involved in removal of defects from steel billets and blooms before being processed in a rolling mill (SIC-3312). The survey was prompted by a request from an authorized employee representative regarding exposures of approximately 70 affected workers to crystalline silica (7631869), lead (7439921), sulfuric-acid (7664939) and contaminants released from abrasive grinding operations. Environmental sampling revealed excessive lead exposure when lead containing steel was cut with an oxyacetylene torch. The airborne concentrations of all other contaminants were not potentially toxic, a finding supported by the lack of complaints and symptoms. Review of medical questionnaires revealed previous symptomatic conditions (respiratory irritation, eye irritation, dermatitis and dental anomalies) compatible with exposure to sulfuric-acid. Recommendations are made for maintaining a safe and healthful work environment.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; HHE-77-31-432; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-5; Industrial-plants; Steel-industry; Chemical-cleaning; Metalworking-industry; Air-quality-measurement; Air-contamination; Heavy-metals; Silica-dusts; Inorganic-acids;
Author Keywords: crystalline silica; quartz; cristobalite; total particulate; sulfuric acid; iron oxide; lead; copper; manganese; nickel; chromium; zirconium; hafnium; phenol; formaldehyde
CAS No.
7631-86-9; 7439-92-1; 7664-93-9
Document Type
Field Studies; Health Hazard Evaluation
NTIS Accession No.
PB89-161673
Identifying No.
HHE-77-31-432
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
