Health hazard evaluation determination report: HHE-77-74-720, Ottenheimer and Sons, Inc., Dawson, Springs, Kentucky.
Source
Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HHE 77-74-720, 1980 Jul; :1-8
Abstract
Environmental and medical surveys were conducted on June 22 and 23, 1977, and March 13, 1978, to evaluate reports of skin and eye irritation and loss of fingernails among employees working with formaldehyde (50000) containing textiles at Ottenheimer and Sons, Incorporated (SIC-2337), in Dawson Springs, Kentucky. The evaluation was requested by an officer of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union on behalf of an unspecified number of workers. Airborne concentrations of formaldehyde ranged from 0.13 to 0.57 parts per million (ppm), below the OSHA standard of 3.0 ppm. The latent formaldehyde concentrations in four fabric samples decreased by 86 to 91 percent 3 weeks after the initial determination. Workers reported eye, respiratory tract, and skin irritation, and rashes, and one worker suffered loss of the fingernails. The pattern of skin irritation and rash was different from that usually found in formaldehyde dermatitis. The author concludes that although all measurements were below recommended standards, workers may have been exposed to irritating concentrations of formaldehyde. She recommends that the fabrics be sufficiently aired before being handled.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; HHE-77-74-720; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; Hazard-Unconfirmed; Region-4; Health-surveys; Eye-irritants; Skin-disorders; Health-protection; Sampling; Workplace-studies; Medical-examinations; Safety-measures;
Author Keywords: Vaporous Formaldehyde; Fabric; Latent Formaldehyde; Textiles
Document Type
Field Studies; Health Hazard Evaluation
NTIS Accession No.
PB81-170904
Identifying No.
HHE-77-74-720
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
