HHE determination report no. HHE-77-97-482, Inland Steel Company, Indiana Harbor Works, East Chicago, Indiana.
Authors
Evans-WA; Stroman-R
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 77-97-482, 1978 Apr; :1-18
Abstract
An investigation regarding employee exposure to inorganic lead (7439921) during the production of leaded steel for precision products of good machinability (SIC-3325) has been conducted. The area of concern was in the pouring stand of the Pit section of the basic oxygen furnace shop. Atmospheric samples for lead were collected on Millipore filters Type AA (mixed cellulose ester) with breathing zone using a battery powered vacuum pump. Area samples were collected with the same equipment along the pouring stand. The medical evaluation included interviews, physical examinations, and blood chemical analysis. It has been determined that a potential hazard to the health of the workers exposed to lead dust and fumes exists. Ten of thirteen personal samples for inorganic lead exceeded the proposed 100 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air (microgram/M3). Eight personal samples exceeded the current lead standard of 200 micrograms/M3. These concentrations ranged from 25 to 2600 micrograms/M3 of lead. Of the 16 blood lead analyses, three were in excess of 60 micrograms of lead per 100 milliliters of whole blood (60 micrograms/100ml), five were in the range of 40 to 60 micrograms/100ml, and eight were less than 40 micrograms/100ml. It is recommended that a blood lead level of 60 micrograms/100ml or less be allowed as a safe concentration.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; Air-sampling; Air-quality-measurement; Lead-compounds; Air-contamination; Heavy-metals; Fumes; Industrial-hygiene; Steel-industry; Occupational-health; Blood-sampling; Lead-poisoning; Steelworkers; HHE-77-97-482; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-5;
Author Keywords: lead; dust; fume; inorganic lead; blood lead level; BLL
Document Type
Field Studies; Health Hazard Evaluation
NTIS Accession No.
PB-291670
Identifying No.
HHE-77-97-482
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
