HHE determination report no. HHE-77-114-529, The Standard Products Company, 510 Henry Clay Boulevard, Lexington, Kentucky, September, 1978.
Authors
Evans-WA; Elesh-E
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 77-114-529, 1978 Sep; :1-21
Abstract
Environmental and medical surveys were conducted on February 28 to March 1, 1978, to evaluate employee exposures to air contaminants from a styrene-butadiene (SBR) rubber extrusion process at the Standard Products Company (SIC-3465) in Lexington, Kentucky. The evaluation was requested by an authorized representative of the United Auto Workers Local 1618 on behalf of the approximately 130 affected employees. Exposures to airborne emissions from a SBR extrusion process were not detected. All other environmental samples analyzed for air contaminants were below OSHA criteria. Five workers complained of dermatitis and lung problems associated with exposure to polyester flock fibers. The authors conclude that exposure to polyester flock fiber was the cause of the reported health hazard, due more to its physical than chemical nature. They recommend that the ventilation system be improved and expanded, the solvent storage and reclaim room be provided with protection equipment and more air exchange, a noise survey be conducted, and curing equipment be kept in good condition to avoid toxic emissions. They also recommend that single use, disposable respirators be provided and worn by employees with respiratory problems and that personal protection equipment be provided for all employees.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; HHE-77-114-529; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-4; Styrene-butadiene-resins; Air-contamination; Analytical-methods; Dermatitis; Respiratory-system-disorders; Occupational-exposure; Toxic-effects; Physical-properties; Standards; Ventilation-systems; Protective-equipment;
Author Keywords: polyester flock fibers; petroleum naptha; tape gluing
Document Type
Field Studies; Health Hazard Evaluation
NTIS Accession No.
PB81-143992
Identifying No.
HHE-77-114-529
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
