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Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-85-416-1742, roofing and waterproofing sites, Chicago, Illinois.

Zey JN; Stephenson R

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 85-416-1742, 1986 Oct; :1-29

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/85-416-1742.pdf

00166576

Potential exposures to organic solvents during the application of single ply roofing and waterproofing systems were evaluated, in response to a request from the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers. The evaluation was conducted at three sites in Chicago, Illinois where roofing contractors (SIC- 1761) were using two roofing systems (ARTC and Carlisle) and one waterproofing (WRT Grace) system. Air concentrations of toluene (108883), xylene (1330207), hexane (110543), acetone (67641), and heptane (142825) were measured. Acenaphthalene (83329), fluorene (86737), and naphthalene (91203) were detected in air samples collected at the ARC roofing site with 11 personal samples ranging from 1.4 to 2.1 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) for acenaphthalene, from nondetected to 1.8microg/m3 for fluorene, and from nondetected to 1.9microg/m3 for naphthalene. Potential hazards observed at both roofing sites included falls from roofs and slipping on slick roof surfaces. Another potential source of injuries was the use of torches for installation of the ARC system. The authors conclude that personal exposures were relatively low for the chemicals evaluated. According to the authors, contractors should make every effort to determine the principal components of the roofing supplies they are using. Employees should receive adequate training to work safely with the materials involved. Exposure to coal tar and pitch fumes should be minimized due to the risk of cancer.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-85-416-1742; Region-5; Hazard-Unconfirmed; Roofing-industry; Roofers; Coal-tar-pitch; Coal-tar; Author Keywords: Roofing and Sheet Metal Work; Organic Solvents; Xylene; Toluene; Hexane; Acetone; Heptane; Total Particulates; Benzene Soluble Fraction; PHAS; Pyrene; Fluoranthene; Acenaphthalene; Fluorene; Naphthalene; Roofing; Waterproofing; Asphalt

108-88-3; 1330-20-7; 110-54-3; 67-64-1; 142-82-5; 83-32-9; 86-73-7; 91-20-3

19861001

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1987

PB87-174207

A03

HETA-85-416-1742

DSHEFS

1761

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

IL; OH