HHE Report No. HETA-80-009-1383, Inland Steel Corporation, East Chicago, Indiana.

McQuilkin-SD; Schloemer-JR; Daniels-WJ; Singal-M

NIOSH 1983 Oct:22 pages

00149675

Breathing zone samples were analyzed for benzene (71432), toluene (108883), and xylene (1330207) at the number 2 coke factory, Inland Steel Corporation (SIC-3312), East Chicago, Indiana in June and July 1980. Evaluation was requested by an employee representative to evaluate worker exposure to byproducts of the coke making process. Workers were concerned about respiratory disorders and high blood pressure. Medical questionnaires were administered and blood and urine samples were obtained from 32 coke workers and 9 laboratory employees. Benzene concentrations ranged from 0.35 to 96 parts per million (ppm). The OSHA standard is 10ppm. Toluene and xylene concentrations were below the federal standards. The most common symptoms reported were fatigue, eye irritation, skin burn, nausea, and headache. All 32 coke workers had elevated urinary phenol concentrations, indicative of benzene exposure. Three laboratory workers had increased urine phenol concentrations. Blood tests showed no evidence of occupational liver toxicity. Urinary phenol concentrations were not correlated with symptoms or blood cell abnormalities. The authors conclude that a health hazard from overexposure to benzene exists. Recommendations include periodic industrial and medical monitoring to identify workers and work areas having high benzene concentrations.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Hazards-Confirmed; Steelmaking-industry; Region-5; Coke-oven-emissions; Breathing-zone; Industrial-exposures; Aromatic-hydrocarbons; HETA-80-009-1383;

71-43-2; 108-88-3; 1330-20-7;

19831001

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1984

PB85-178747

A03

HETA-80-009-1383

DSHEFS;

3312;

Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch, NIOSH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, Report No. HETA-80-009-1383, 22 pages, 14 references

IN; OH;