NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-89-364-2202, ARMCO Advanced Materials Corporation, Butler, Pennsylvania.

Tubbs RL; Moss CE; Fleeger A

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 89-364-2202, 1992 Apr; :1-44

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/1989-0364-2202.pdf

00208292

In response to a management request, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at ARMCO Advanced Materials Corporation (SIC-3312), Butler, Pennsylvania. ARMCO produced primarily specialty steel products. An indirect method of electric heating was used at the facility to make steel. Concern was expressed about employee exposures to infrasound, electromagnetic radiation, and various dusts throughout the melt shop. The investigation was then expanded to include radiofrequency exposures at the Ultra-Rapid Annealing (URA) furnace located in the Strip Coating and Silicon Anneal Building (SCSAB). Air samples analyzed indicated that the recommended levels were being exceeded for chromium (7440473), manganese (7439965) and lead (7439921). Radiofrequency radiation measurements at the URA furnace and the visible radiation levels near the electric arc furnaces in the melt shops exceeded the appropriate evaluation criteria. The authors conclude that health hazards existed during the survey from excessive airborne levels of hexavalent chromium, manganese, and lead, high levels of optical radiation near the electric arc furnaces, and radiofrequency radiation at the URA furnace. The authors recommended measures to lower these exposures and suggested the institution of medical and environmental surveillance programs.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-89-364-2202; Region-3; Hazards-Confirmed; Radiation-exposure; Hexavalent-chromium-compounds; Manganese-compounds; Lead-compounds; Metal-dusts; Radiation-hazards; Steel-foundries; Nonionizing-radiation; Occupational-exposure; Author Keywords: Steel Works, Blast Furnaces (Including Coke Ovens), and Rolling Mills; chromium; lead; manganese; optical radiation; radiofrequency radiation; electromagnetic radiation; infrasound; noise

7440-47-3; 7439-96-5; 7439-92-1

19920401

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1992

PB92-221027

A04

HETA-89-364-2202

DSHEFS

3312

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

PA; OH