Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-80-168-1204, Rola-Esmark Company, Dubois, Pennsylvania.
Authors
Lee S; Parkinson D
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 80-168-1204, 1982 Oct; :1-26
Abstract
Health complaints among workers exposed to organic vapors during manufacture of stereo speakers at the Rola-Esmark Company (SIC-3651) DuBois, Pennsylvania, were investigated. The survey was requested by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and was performed on July 29 to 30, 1980. At the time of the study 140 production workers were employed. Thirty personal breathing zone air samples were taken to measure organic vapor contaminants, and one breathing zone and six area air samples were measured for benzoyl-peroxide (94360) exposure. Medical interviews were conducted for exposed employees. The highest organic vapor exposure was 8.0 parts per million (ppm) of trichloroethylene (79016) compared to a NIOSH recommended standard of 25ppm. Benzoyl-peroxide exposures were well below the NIOSH criteria of 5 milligrams per cubic meter. More than 50 percent of the workers, 19 to 20 of which were women, reported severe headaches, dizziness, balance problems, tremor, fatigue, and depression. The authors conclude that although exposures were well below environmental criteria, there was a high correlation of symptoms with solvent exposures.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; Hazards-Unconfirmed; Employee-exposure; Air-sampling; Breathing-zone; Medical-surveys; Organic-chemicals; HETA-80-168-1204; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Region-3;
Author Keywords: Radio Receiving Systems; Speaker Systems Manufacturing; Organic Solvent Mixtures; Trichloroethylene; TCE; Mucous Membrane Irritation; Neurological Effects; Psychological Effects
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
NTIS Accession No.
PB84-172873
Identifying No.
HETA-80-168-1204
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
