HHE determination report no. HHE-79-7-639, Greenheck Fan Corporation, Schofield, Wisconsin.
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 79-7-639, 1979 Dec; :1-21
Abstract
An environmental and medical evaluation was performed at the Greenheck Fan Corporation (SIC-3564), Schofield, Wisconsin on November 7 and 8, 1978, and March 6, 1979 at the request of an authorized representative of Local 565, Sheet Metals Workers International Association, AFL/CIO, concerning worker complaints of eye irritations, foul taste, and skin irritations during powdered paint operations. The corporation has 180 production and 100 administrative employees. Chromium (7440473), barium (7440393), lead (7439921), quartz (14808607), cristobalite (14464461), cadmium (7440439), epichlorohydrin (106898), and trimellitic-anhydride (552307) were undetectable in bulk samples, or present only in trace amounts. Personal and area air samples for toluene (108883), benzene (71432), xylene (1330207) and mineral spirits were below the environmental criteria of 375, 3.2, 434, and 350 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3), respectively. Two respirable dust samples exceeded 10 mg/m3, and measured concentrations of bisphenol-A (80057) and diglycidyl-ether of bisphenol-A (1675543) (0.173 to 1.063 mg/m3, and 0.087 to 0.2mg/m3 respectively) were considered excessive and potentially toxic. During medical interviews, workers reported symptoms of irritated eyes and throat, episodes of respiratory difficulties, and rashes. Ventilation was considered inadequate. The authors conclude that excessive amounts of airborne contaminants were present in three areas of the facility. They recommend improved work practices and housekeeping, a modified respiratory protection program, adequate personal protective clothing, medical surveillance, and a review of emergency procedures.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; HHE-79-7-639; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; Blowers-and-fans; Hazards-Confirmed; Air-sampling; Physiological-effects; Metal-fabrication-workers; Airborne-dusts; Toxic-substances; Air-contaminants; Unions; Industrial-hygiene; Region-5;
Author Keywords: powder paint; nuisance dust; bisphenol A; diglycidal ether; skin irritation; eye irritation; mucous membrance irritation
