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Health hazard evaluation report: MHETA-87-039-1837, Old Ben Coal Company, Benton, Illinois.

Cornwell RJ; Stark G

Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, MHETA 87-039-1837, 1987 Jun; :1-10

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/1987-0039-1837.pdf

00175413

In response to a request from the Deputy Administrator, Occupational Health, of the United Mine Workers of America, a study was made of possible worker exposure to two hydraulic fluids at the Old Ben Coal Company (SIC-1111) located in Benton, Illinois. Employees using Solcenic-3A hydraulic fluid or working near its area of use had reported eye, skin, or respiratory irritation. Solcenic-2 fluid produced no symptoms. Chemical analysis revealed that Solcenic-3A contained dipropylene-glycol isomers and a small amount of ethanolamine (141435) which were not present in Solcenic-2. The authors suggest that these components may lower the Solcenic-3A odor threshold. Area air evaluations indicated no harmful exposures to the component methyl-isobutyl-carbinol (108112), with exposures of 1.4 and 3.4mg/m3 determined for two of 11 samples (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists threshold limit value, 100mg/m3). No excessive exposure to the component napthenic- mineral-oil was found; it was considered that workers were exposed to it only during hydraulic line ruptures or fluid spills. Of 13 workers reporting symptoms, nine of 11 interviewed had symptoms possibly due to skin or inhalation exposure to Solcenic-3A. The authors suggest that inhalation symptoms are a reaction to its strong vapor. They conclude that there is no health hazard, but they recommend use of protective equipment, proper disposal of waste, and use of nonirritating Solcenic-2.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; MHETA-87-039-1837; Region-5; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Hazard-Unconfirmed; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Eye-irritants; Lung-irritants; Skin-exposure; Hydraulic-fluids; Mine-workers; Mining-industry; Hydraulic-equipment; Author Keywords: MIBC; napthenic mineral oil; longwall mining; hydraulic fluid

141-43-5; 108-11-2

19870601

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1987

PB88-162789

A02

MHETA-87-039-1837

DRDS

1111

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

IL; WV