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Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-86-420-L2051, General Foam Corporation, West Hazleton, Pennsylvania.

Blade LM; Richardson FD; Fidler AT

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 86-420-L2051, 1990 Jun; :1-46

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/1986-0420-2051.pdf

00194753

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.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-86-420-L2051; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-3; Amines; Isocyanates; Polymerization; Polyurethane-foams

584-84-9; 91-08-7; 75-09-2

19900601

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1990

PB91-117218

A04

HETA-86-420-L2051

DSHEFS

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

PA; OH