NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-90-348-2135, Grosse Pointes-Clinton Refuse Disposal Authority, Mount Clemens, Michigan.

Mouradian RF

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 90-348-2135, 1991 Sep; :1-23

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/1990-0348-2135.pdf

00203301

In response to a request from a representative of employees at the Grosse Pointes-Clinton Municipal Refuse Authority (SIC-4953), Mount Clemens, Michigan, an evaluation was undertaken of possible exposures associated with incinerator ash at the incinerator site. Two visits to the site were made. During the first visit it was determined that the weekly clean out operation was the primary source of employee exposures to ash. During the second visit analyses were made of air samples, total dust, respirable dust, respirable crystalline silica (14808607), ash and metals. Potential short term exposures to high levels of crystalline silica, lead (7439921), and total dust were noted during the clean out operation. One personal air sample collected for total dust exposure measured 20.5mg/m3 which exceeded the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15mg/m3. The NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit of 0.5mg/m3 for crystalline silica was exceeded for one personal breathing zone air sample. The author concludes that workers were exposed to crystalline silica, lead and total dust during cleanout; personal exposures did not exceed the OSHA PELs because cleanout was completed in less than 2 hours. The author recommends improvements to work practices and provision of better personal protective equipment.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-90-348-2135; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-5; Air-quality-monitoring; Airborne-dusts; Waste-treatment; Silica-dusts; Lead-dust; Incinerators; Author Keywords: Refuse System; ash; incinerator; metals; silica; lead; cadmium; mercury

14808-60-7; 7439-92-1

19910901

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1991

PB92-137876

A03

HETA-90-348-2135

DSHEFS

4953

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

MI; OH