Preliminary survey report: Karastan Rug Mill, Fieldcrest Mills, Inc., Eden, North Carolina.
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, ECTB 108-12a, 1982 Jan; :1-7
Abstract
A visit was made to the Karastan Rug Mill (SIC-2271), Eden, North Carolina, to evaluate control methods taken to protect workers from hazards associated with the use of adhesives. Adhesives were mixed in a small room just beyond the rollup area of the backsizing operation. In the backsizing operation the carpet feed and roller/coating operations were followed by a drying oven, a cool down unit, and the roll up or doffing area. Two workers per shift were required on the backsizing line. The coating of the underside of the carpet with a latex adhesive binds the carpet fibers to the backing and stiffens the carpet. A styrene/butadiene (SBR) latex containing ammonia as an emulsion stabilizer was used as the base. Exhaust ventilation was used for the oven. Ammonia (7664417) was the only contaminant noticeable in the workplace environment. At the edge of the coated carpet as it was entering the oven a level of 25 parts per million (ppm) ammonia was detected. A level of 30ppm was detected alongside the coating rollers. A canopy hood was operated in the compounding room to draw away dust released when adding powdered chemicals to the reactor. An exhaust fan was mounted on the wall opposite the doorway of the latex storage building. The author concludes that if the carpet industry is included in the in depth study phase, this site would be a prime candidate for a detailed survey.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Survey; Field-Study; Region-4; Adhesive-bonding; Solvent-vapors; Styrene-resins; Synthetic-resins; Styrene-butadiene-resins
Document Type
Field Studies; Control Technology
NTIS Accession No.
PB89-137376
Identifying No.
ECTB-108-12a
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
