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Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-81-123-856, American Bridge, Shiffler Plant, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Kominsky JR

Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 81-123-856, 1981 Apr; :1-7

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/81-123-856.pdf

00115566

Environmental and personal air samples were analyzed for sulfuric- acid (7664939), mist and zinc-chloride (7646857) at American Bridge, Shiffler Facility (SIC-3440) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 12 to 14, 1981. A representative of the United Steel Workers of America, Local 1579, requested the evaluation on behalf of approximately 18 affected employees in the number 2 Galvanizing Unit. Medical questionnaires were completed by exposed workers. Personal breathing zone samples revealed sulfuric-acid mist concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 0.18 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/cu m), compared with the OSHA permissible exposure limit of 1.0 mg/cu m for an 8 to 10 hour time weighted exposure. Sulfuric-acid mist concentrations in area samples from the maintenance platforms of the pickle crane ranged from 1.05 to 5.66 mg/cu m. Zinc-chloride concentrations in personal breathing zone samples ranged from 0.05 to 0.1 mg/cu m, compared with the OSHA standard of 1.0 mg/cu m. Health questionnaires administered to nine of the affected workers revealed complaints of mild nose and eye irritation during normal work conditions. The author concludes that a health hazard due to sulfuric-acid mist and zinc-chloride exposure do not exist at this facility under normal working conditions, but workers required to perform repairs on the pickle crane over the pickling area are potentially exposed to toxic concentrations of sulfuric-acid mist. The use of appropriate respiratory equipment by affected work is recommended.

NIOSH-Author; HETA-81-123-856; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; Hazards-Unconfirmed; Region-3; Air-sampling; Metal-workers; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Author Keywords: Fabricated Structural Metal Products; hot sticks; carbon combustion chambers; sulfuric acid mist; zinc chloride

7664-93-9; 7646-85-7

19810401

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1981

PB82-162181

A02

HETA-81-123-856

DSHEFS

3440

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

PA; OH