Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-86-420-L2051, General Foam Corporation, West Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
Authors
Blade-LM; Richardson-FD; Fidler-AT
Source
NIOSH 1990 Jun; :1-46
Abstract
In response to a request from Local Union 15371 of the United Steelworkers of America, a study was undertaken of possible hazardous working conditions at General Foam Corporation, West Hazleton, Pennsylvania. The facility had two foam production departments. Each had a continuous foam pouring line that produces long blocks of foam that were cut into lengths ranging from a few feet to 200 feet. Both foam pouring lines produce a variety of polyurethane foams from formulations incorporating polyester or polyether polyol, a mixture of 2,4-toluene-diisocyanate (584849) and 2,6-toluene-diisocyanate (91087), various amine catalysts, and other chemicals including a blowing agent. No association was established between amine exposure levels and visual symptoms or deficits in visual acuity tests among the employees studied. One of ten samples for methylene-chloride (75092) exceeded the 8 hour time weighted average limit of 50 parts per million. The authors conclude that a potential health hazard did exist at the time of the survey from airborne exposure to both toluene-diisocyanate isomers. The authors recommend specific measures for improving working conditions at this site.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-86-420-L2051; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-3; Amines; Isocyanates; Polymerization; Polyurethane-foams
CAS No.
584-84-9; 91-08-7; 75-09-2
Document Type
Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance; Field Studies
NTIS Accession No.
PB91-117218
Identifying No.
HETA-86-420-L2051
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
