Walk-Through Survey Report Contract 210-77-0096, Emhart Industries, Inc., Hardware Division, Berlin, Ct.
Abstract
A walk through survey of the paint and lacquer facilities of Emhart Industries, Inc., (SIC-2851) was conducted on November 30, 1978 to determine if this factory should be included in a NIOSH sponsored investigation of health hazards in the painting trades. Electrostatic automatic spray painting and manual painting are confined to a single room. The automatic electrostatic painting is done in a separate enclosure. The painting staff comprises two manual spray painters and two other painters who operate the electrostatic units. Approximately 3,900 gallons of paint are used annually, including 30 percent epoxy, 20 percent alkyds, and 50 percent acrylics. Sixteen ancillary workers also are exposed to these paints on a limited basis. Analysis of air samples taken near the Ransburg electrostatic painting units showed low concentrations of two representative volatile solvents, which ranged from 7 parts per million (ppm) to less than 1ppm. The air concentrations of the degreasing solvent 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556) were higher but still below the current threshold limit value. Because only four painters are directly exposed to paint or coating, the investigators recommend that this facility be excluded from the planned NIOSH study of painting trades.
