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Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-81-29-1088, Industrial Plastics, Valley City, Ohio.
Authors
Burroughs-GE; Moody-PL
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 81-29-1088, 1982 Apr; :1-42
NIOSHTIC No.
00127203
Abstract
Due to reports of eye irritation, labored breathing, and chest pains, a survey was requested by Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union and was performed in November, 1980 and March and April, 1981 at Industrial Plastics (SIC-3079) Valley City, Ohio. The facility employs 100 workers. Exposures to noise, isocyanates, methylene-chloride (75092), benzoic-acid (65850), 1,1,1- trichloroethane (71556), trichloroethylene (79016), styrene (100425), fibrous-glass, carbon-monoxide (630080), and organic vapors were measured. Questionnaires, pulmonary function tests, and carboxyhemoglobin concentrations were obtained. Carbon-monoxide measurements were 1 to 98 parts per million (ppm); 9 samples were above the 35ppm NIOSH recommended criteria. Methylene-chloride concentrations were 2 to 310ppm; 12 samples exceeded the 75ppm NIOSH criteria. Styrene concentrations were 12 to 140ppm; 2 samples exceeded the 100ppm OSHA criteria. Toluene-diisocyanate (26471625) (TDI), was below the recommended criteria, but appeared to affect pulmonary function. Noise measurements were 82 to 93 decibels, exceeding the 85 decibel NIOSH criteria. All other measurements were within recommended limits. Carboxyhemoglobin concentrations were increased in the foam room as the work shift progressed. Skin irritations were high in fibrous glass workers. The authors conclude that workers are overexposed to carbon-monoxide, methylene- chloride, styrene, noise, and possibly TDI. Recommendations are made to reduce exposure.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; Region-5; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; Hazards-Confirmed; Employee-exposure; Air-sampling; Breathing-zone; Industrial-ventilation; Control-technology; Irritants; Plastics-industry; HETA-81-29-1088; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report
CAS No.
75-09-2; 65-85-0; 71-55-6; 79-01-6; 100-42-5; 630-08-0; 26471-62-5
Publication Date
19820401
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
Fiscal Year
1982
NTIS Accession No.
PB83-198390
NTIS Price
A04
Identifying No.
HETA-81-29-1088
NIOSH Division
DSHEFS
SIC Code
3079
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
State
OH
Page last reviewed: April 12, 2019
Content source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Education and Information Division