HHE determination report no. HHE-79-47-582, Gladnick Dental Clinic, Wilmington, Delaware.
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 79-47-582, 1979 Apr; :1-9
Abstract
Breathing zone and general area samples were collected to detect inorganic-mercury (7439976) concentrations at the Gladnick Dental Clinic (SIC-8011) in Wilmington, Delaware on February 27, 1979. The request came from the clinic to evaluate the potential health hazards to four employees from inorganic-mercury. Concentrations were detected by mercury vapor badges attached to uniform lapels and by charcoal tube samples for mercury vapor. Personal samples for mercury exposure were analyzed based on the reduction in conductivity of the resulting amalgam absorbed, and the general area samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Areas of concentration were detected by the Mercury Sniffer. The OSHA standard of 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/cu m) for mercury exposure was exceeded only when the lid was removed from the mercury scrap storage container (range 0.4 to 0.75 mg/cu m). The investigator determined that clinic workers normally were not exposed to potentially toxic airborne concentrations of inorganic mercury. Recommendations resulting from the evaluation include the introduction of improvements in mercury scrap storage and workplace hygiene, instruction of workers concerning mercury waste disposal and decontamination procedures, and examination of American Dental Association recommendations for reducing employee mercury exposures.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; HHE-79-47-582; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; Region-3; Hazard-Unconfirmed; Air-contaminants; Gas-vapors; Storage-containers; Industrial-hygiene; Training-programs; Control-measures; Industrial-wastes;
Author Keywords: inorganic mercury; dental clinic
Document Type
Field Studies; Health Hazard Evaluation
NTIS Accession No.
PB80-198955
Identifying No.
HHE-79-47-582
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
