HHE Report No. HETA-85-518-1737, LCI Excelon Products, Inc., Woodland, Washington.

Apol-AG

NIOSH 1986 Oct:10 pages

00166573

Possible exposure to solvent vapors during the making of graphite fishing rods was investigated at the LCI Excelon facility (SIC- 3949), Woodland, Washington in response to a request from the management. Acetone (67641) and xylene (1330207) vapor exposure levels ranged from 1 to 50 percent of the recommended limits of 250 parts per million (ppm) for acetone and 100ppm of xylene. Headaches and dizziness were reported by workers exposed to the solvent vapors. Exposure to 2-ethoxyethyl-acetate (111159) and 2- ethoxyethanol (110805) was 92 percent of the recommended ACGIH levels of 5ppm for each. Even so, the evidence for reproductive effects of 2-ethoxyethanol makes this an undesirable exposure condition. Exposure to n-butyl-alcohol (71363) and methyl-ethyl- ketone (78933) were also determined. Workers in the blank shop, which includes pattern cutters, tackers, rollers and wrappers, have contact with high temperature curing epoxy resins impregnated in the fiberglass and graphite sheets and have experienced contact dermatitis as a result of the exposure. Eye and throat irritation has been reported by workers exposed to fumes emitted during the curing of the blanks. The authors recommend eliminating the use of materials containing 2-ethoxyethanol or 2-ethoxyethyl-acetate, providing local exhaust ventilation, reducing the temperature of the iron used for tacking, labelling solvent containers, and using only safety cans and plunger cans for transferring and dispensing solvents.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Region-10; HETA-85-518-1737; Hazard-Confirmed; Organic-solvents; Throat-disorders; Respiratory-irritants;

67-64-1; 1330-20-7; 111-15-9; 110-80-5; 71-36-3; 78-93-3;

19861001

Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance;

1987

PB87-174173

A02

HETA-85-518-1737

DSHEFS;

3949;

Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch, NIOSH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, Report No. HETA-85-518-1737, 10 pages, 0 references

WA; OH;