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Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-81-130-1348, Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Kominsky JR; Schulte PA

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 81-130-1348, 1983 Aug; :1-19

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/81-130-1348.pdf

00134492

Environmental samples were analyzed for crystalline silica (14808607), dust, iron-oxide (1309371), manganese (7439965), nickel (7440020), and carbon-monoxide (630080) at the Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation (SIC-3310), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in January and May 1981. The survey was requested by United Steel Workers of America, Local 1271 on behalf of 750 employees because of the reported high incidence of cancer among workers. A retrospective study of mortality experience was conducted. Quartz (14808607) was the only polymorph of crystalline silica detected above the lower limit of quantitation. Breathing zone samples showed quartz concentrations ranging from 0.04 to 1.24 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3), below OSHA standards of 5.0mg/m3. One sample contained iron at a concentration that was 24 percent of the OSHA limit. Manganese and nickel were present at 33 percent or less of OSHA and NIOSH standards. Settled dust was 42 to 72 percent quartz. Unexplained excess risk of cardiovascular renal disease in electric furnace workers and arteriosclerotic heart disease in mechanical maintenance workers was revealed. The authors conclude that a potential hazard exists from respirable crystalline silica. Masons are at risk for work related nonmalignant respiratory disease. Further investigation of silica exposures is recommended.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-81-130-1348; Region-3; Steel-industry; Hazards-Confirmed; Disease-incidence; Dust-exposure; Employee-exposure; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Airborne-dusts; Airborne-particles; Silicosis; Silica-dusts; Blast-furnaces; Foundry-workers; Steel-foundries; Steelworkers; Author Keywords: Blast Furnaces, Steel Works, and Rolling and Finishing Mills; crystalline silica; quartz; electric-arc furnaces; respiratory disease; masons; silicosis

14808-60-7; 1309-37-1; 7439-96-5; 7440-02-0; 630-08-0; 7631-86-9

19830801

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1983

PB85-163418

A03

HETA-81-130-1348

DSHEFS

3310

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

PA; OH