HHE Report No. HETA-83-166-1594, Witco Chemical Corporation, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Cummings-CE; Roseman-J

NIOSH 1985 May:46 pages

00131536

Area and personal air samples were analyzed for ethylene-oxide (75218), glycols, and adipic-acid (124049) at the Witco Chemical Corporation (SIC-2816), Perth Amboy, New Jersey from November to December, 1983 and May, 1984. The evaluation was requested by the union to investigate possible health effects due to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), glycols, and ethylene-oxide. The evaluation was assigned to the New Jersey State Department of Health. Medical examinations which included spirometry testing and serum PCB determinations were given to 52 workers. Medical and work histories were obtained. Ethylene-oxide exposures averaged 0.7 to 7.1 parts per million (ppm). The OSHA standard for ethylene-oxide is 1.0ppm. Glycol concentrations averaged less than 0.7ppm. Adipic-acid concentrations ranged from 0.47 to 0.79 milligram per cubic meter. There are no federal standards for glycols and adipic-acid. Mucosal irritation and bronchitis were reported by 56 and 27 percent of the workers, respectively. One second forced expiratory volumes were significantly reduced. Serum PCB concentrations were elevated, but within the normal range. They were weakly correlated with systolic blood pressure and liver enzyme activities. The authors conclude that health hazards due to ethylene-oxide and airborne fatty acid exposures exist. Recommendations include improving ventilation and work practices and implementing an OSHA approved respirator program.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Hazards-Confirmed; Chemical-industry-workers; Region-2; Analytical-models; Exposure-limits; Temperature-measurement; Workers; HETA-83-166-1594;

75-21-8; 124-04-9;

19850501

Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance;

1985

PB86-145638

A04

HETA-83-166-1594

DSHEFS;

2816;

Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch, NIOSH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, Report No. HETA-83-166-1594, 46 pages, 13 references

NJ; OH;