Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-84-060-1645, General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio.
Authors
Lichty-PD; Zey-JN
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 84-060-1645, 1985 Dec; :1-35
Abstract
Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for arsenic (7440382), other metals, arsine (7784421), and carbon-monoxide (630080) at General Motors Corporation, Delco Moraine Division (SIC- 3714), South Facility, Dayton, Ohio in January and February, 1984. The evaluation was requested because of two arsenic poisoning cases that occurred in department 48. All department 48 employees were surveyed by questionnaire. Urine arsenic concentrations were measured. Only 1 of 68 air samples contained arsenic, 3.3 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3). The OSHA standard for arsenic is 10microg/m3. Arsenic was not detected in any bulk samples. Nickel (7440020) and barium (7440393) were detected at concentrations of 17.7 to 1,280 and 502 to 678microg/m3, respectively. The OSHA standard for either metal is 500microg/m3. One copper (7440508) sample, 5,700microg/m3, exceeded the OSHA standard of 1,000microg/m3. Carbon-monoxide and arsine concentrations were below their relevant standards. No workers had symptoms of arsenic poisoning. Urine arsenic concentrations were within normal limits. The authors conclude that employees are not being exposed to detectable amounts of arsenic. The source of the arsenic poisoning cannot be determined. Employees are overexposed to nickel, barium, and copper. Recommendations include improving employee training and education regarding respiratory protection and reducing employee exposures to nickel and barium.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Hazards-Unconfirmed; Automotive-industry; Region-5; Environmental-factors; Breathing-zone; Analytical-methods; Health-survey; HETA-84-060-1645;
Author Keywords: Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories; Arsenic; Nickel; Barium; Lead; Carbon Monoxide; Arsine; Methane
CAS No.
7440-38-2; 7784-42-1; 630-08-0; 7440-02-0; 7440-39-3; 7440-50-8
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
NTIS Accession No.
PB86-203478
Identifying No.
HETA-84-060-1645
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
