Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-80-009-1383, Inland Steel Corporation, East Chicago, Indiana.
Authors
McQuilkin SD; Schloemer JR; Daniels WJ; Singal M
Source
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 80-009-1383, 1983 Oct; :1-22
Abstract
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.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Hazards-Confirmed; Steelmaking-industry; Region-5; Time-weighted-average-exposure; Air-sampling; Medical-monitoring; Breathing-zone; Toluenes; Clinical-symptoms; HETA-80-009-1383; Coke-oven-emissions; Industrial-exposures; Aromatic-hydrocarbons;
Author Keywords: Blast Furnaces [Including Coke Ovens], Steel Works, and Rolling Mills; Coke Oven By-Products; Benzene; Toluene; Xylene
CAS No.
71-43-2; 108-88-3; 1330-20-7
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
NTIS Accession No.
PB85-178747
Identifying No.
HETA-80-009-1383
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
