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Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-82-089-1213, Immunology Branch Laboratory Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia.

Salisbury S; Berry RJ

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 82-089-1213, 1982 Nov; :1-25

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/82-89-1213.pdf

00127363

Hazardous exposures among workers at the Immunology Branch (IB), Centers for Disease Control (SIC-8922) (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia were investigated on January 5 and April 12 to 15, 1982. The evaluation was requested by the Chief, Birth Defects Branch, CDC, following five spontaneous abortions among seven IB workers during an 8 month period. Work procedures and hygiene practices were evaluated. Work place air samples were collected for analysis, and urine samples were taken from IB workers for evaluation. All female workers and spouses of male workers were questioned about attempts at conception and pregnancy outcomes. Of the more than 180 chemicals used at the workplace, 39 were identified as known mutagens, teratogens, or embryotoxins. Sampling for sodium-azide (26628228), 2-mercaptoethanol (60242), dimethyl-sulfoxide (67685), and phenols did not reveal significant concentrations. Workplace ventilation was good. Compared to life table data, the five miscarriages among the workers represented a relative risk of 3.9. The authors conclude that the high spontaneous abortion rate does not appear related to a specific workplace hazard. It may represent a natural occurrence. The authors recommend ventilation and careful work practices. The reproductive health of the IB workers and their spouses should be monitored.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; Hazards-Unconfirmed; Laboratory-workers; Occupational-exposure; Reproductive-hazards; Long-term-exposure; HETA-82-089-1213; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Region-4; Author Keywords: Noncommercial, Educational, Scientific, and Research Organizations; Spontaneous Abortions; Miscarriage; Laboratory Workers; Phenolic Detergents; o-Phenylphenol, CAS 90-43-7; p-Tert-Amylphenol, CAS 80-46-6; Sodium Azide, CAS 26628-22-8; DMSO, CAS 67-68-5; 2-Mercaptoethanol, CAS 60-24-2

90-43-7; 80-46-6; 26628-22-8; 60-24-2; 67-68-5

19821101

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1983

PB84-172535

A03

HETA-82-089-1213

DSHEFS

8922

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

GA; OH