HHE Report No. HETA-83-113-1470, Raygo-Wagner, Portland, Oregon.

Apol-AG; Helgerson-S; Parrish-RG

NIOSH 1983 May:25 pages

00139224

Worker exposures to paint solvents were surveyed from December 30, 1982 to June 15, 1983 and on August 18 and 19, 1983 at Raygo Wagner (SIC-3531) in Portland, Oregon. The evaluation was requested by a former employee on behalf of himself and two other painters who suffered seizures and other neurologic problems. Personal and area air samples were collected for solvent vapors, and medical questionnaires were administered to two former and ten current employees. The composition of the solvents was also identified. Solvent exposure for one painter exceeded the NIOSH recommended 8 hour time weighted average limit, and exceeded the recommended short term limit for two painters. Nine of the workers reported difficulties with memory and thinking ability. Significant neurological or neuropsychological disturbances were found in five of the workers. Two of the five workers, and possibly a third, had symptoms of chronic toxic encephalopathy. Four other painters reported incidents of fainting on the job from solvent fume exposure. The authors note that changes in work processes and the use of protective equipment precluded evaluation of exposures that existed prior to the survey. They conclude that the neurologic disorders possibly were caused by excessive solvent exposure. No recommendations are offered since the factory has ceased production.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Hazards-Confirmed; Construction-industry; Region-10; Questionnaires; Painters; Air-samples; Neurotoxins; Solvent-vapors; Exposure-levels; HETA-83-113-1470;

19830501

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1983

PB85-184224

A03

HETA-83-113-1470

DSHEFS;

3531;

Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch, NIOSH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, Report No. HETA-83-113-1470, 25 pages, 49 references

OR; OH;