Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-81-016-942, Iowa Beef Processors, Inc., Dakota City, Nebraska.
Authors
Hervin-RL; Slovin-DL
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, HETA 81-016-942, 1981 Aug; :1-22
Abstract
Environmental and personal air samples were analyzed for chlorine (7782505), hydrogen-chloride (7647010), phosphates and other contaminants, and medical surveys were conducted at Iowa Beef Processors, Incorporated (SIC-2011) in Dakota City, Nebraska, on December 15 to 17, 1980. A representative of the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 222, requested the evaluation after reports of upper respiratory irritation among workers in the kill and carcass preparation room. Chlorine air concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 0.4 parts per million (ppm), below the OSHA standard of 1 ppm. Hydrochloric-acid concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 0.6 ppm compared with the OSHA standard of 5ppm. Other chemical evaluated were well below the corresponding environmental standards. Eye irritation, nasal irritation, cough, and sneezing were reported on the medical questionnaires. Thirty eight of the 67 workers interviewed had experienced at least three of these symptoms during the same two week period. The authors conclude that a health hazard from exposure to chlorine existed at this facility. They recommend a thorough evaluation of the ventilation system and the water and chlorination facilities, and medical monitoring of affected workers.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; HETA-81-016-942; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; Hazards-Confirmed; Region-7; Health-surveys; Air-sampling; Pulmonary-system-disorders; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report;
Author Keywords: Meat Packing Plants; Chlorine; Phosphoric Acid; Carbon Monoxide; Oxides of Nitrogen; Ozone; Hydrogen Sulfide; Xylene; Toluene
CAS No.
7782-50-5; 7647-01-0
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
NTIS Accession No.
PB83-126417
Identifying No.
HETA-81-016-942
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
