Health hazard evaluation report: MHETA-85-226-1839, Freshlabs, Inc., Warren, Michigan.
Authors
Sanderson WT; Ferguson RP
Source
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 85-226-1839, 1987 Aug; :1-54
Abstract
In response to a request from workers at the Freshlabs vitamin manufacturing facility (SIC-2834) located in Warren, Michigan, a study was made of dust exposures, with specific attention to asbestos (1332214) in ceiling insulation. Over half of all workers (about 70) reported watery itchy eyes, sneezing, or runny stuffy noses. Symptoms of skin rashes, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath were also reported throughout the facility. Dust concentrations were highest in the composition area, where all workers experienced irritation of eyes, nose, and throat, and a few developed occupational asthma confirmed by company physicians. Workers were exposed to several vitamin products which were irritating to eyes and nasal and respiratory mucosa because of acidity. Some workers became hypersensitive to dusts due to protein and polysaccharide contents. Most samples showed total and respirable dust measurements well below Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limits for nuisance dusts. However, these are not common nuisance dust components. The authors suggest that the limits provide little protection for average workers exposed to such dusts. Asbestos sampling revealed potential hazard from falling insulation. Recommendations pertaining to local exhaust hoods, amended work practices, use of personal dust respirators, avoidance of skin contact, and proper ceiling insulation are offered.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; Region-5; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Hazard-Confirmed; Dust-inhalation; Dust-control; Airborne-fibers; Breathing-zone; Airborne-dusts; Air-sampling; Pharmaceutical-industry; Pulmonary-system-disorders;
Author Keywords: Pharmaceutical Preparations; Acidic Dusts; Nuisance Dusts; Asbestos; Ventilation; Mucosal Irritation; Eye Irritation; Asthma
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
NTIS Accession No.
PB88-162664
Identifying No.
MHETA-85-226-1839
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
