NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Health hazard evaluation determination report: HHE-77-108-520, Chevrolet - Transmission Plant No. 1, Toledo, Ohio.

Moseley CL

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 77-108-520, 1978 Aug; :1-11

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/77-108-520.pdf

00099495

Environmental and medical surveys were conducted from March 21 to 23, 1978 to investigate employee exposure to oil mist and evaluate suspected cancers occurring as a result of the exposure at Chevrolet, Transmission Facility (SIC-3714) Number 1 in Toledo, Ohio. The investigation was requested by an authorized representative on behalf of approximately 50 affected employees. Analysis for oil mist in environmental samples indicated that exposures were below recommended criteria. Analysis of solvent vapors indicated the presence of benzene (71432) and toluene (108883) at concentrations below the recommended criteria. Analysis of bulk samples indicated the presence of coliform contamination, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNA) and nitrosamines (35576911) at concentrations below recommended criteria. Medical surveys revealed that five of 17 workers had skin problems related to contact with the coolant oil. Medical records could not be obtained from employees suspected of suffering from occupational disease, therefore no conclusion could be drawn about the presence of an occupationally related cancer risk among the bar stock operators. The author concludes that there is little chance of exposure to coolant oils from inhalation but a good possibility exists of contact dermatitis developing among susceptible individuals. The author recommends that the operator use splash shields on the bar stock machines to avoid contamination, that operators be supplied with protective gloves, that bar stock machines be periodically steam cleaned and the coolant changed, that company industrial hygiene personnel periodically monitor the bar stock operation for nitrosamines, benzene, toluene, and PNAs and that possible fecal contamination of the coolant be investigated.

NIOSH-Author; HHE-77-108-520; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; Hazard-Unconfirmed; Region-5; Carcinogens; Oil-mist-vapors; Toxic-effects; Air-samples; Solvents; Health-surveys; Contact-dermatitis; Protective-equipment; Industrial-hygiene; Automotive-industry; Humans; Author Keywords: Cancer; Oil Mist; Organic Solvents; Coolant Fluids; Nitrosamine; Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon; PNA

71-43-2; 108-88-3; 35576-91-1

19780801

Field Studies; Health Hazard Evaluation

1978

PB81-150500

A03

HHE-77-108-520

DSHEFS

3714

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

OH