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Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-93-0367-2321, Fairchild Fashion and Merchandising Group, New York, New York.

Sylvain DC

Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 93-0367-2321, 1993 May; :1-11

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/1993-0367-2321.pdf

00216262

In response to a request from an employee representative, an investigation was undertaken of employee exposures to chemicals used during film processing in the Photography Department, at the Fairchild Fashion and Merchandising Group (SIC-7384), New York, New York. Employees in the photography department darkroom and developing room complained of upper respiratory irritation, eye irritation, contact dermatitis, headaches, sinus congestion, sneezing, and coughing. There were about five workers in the department who processed black and white film and developed photographs. Worker exposures to airborne components of photographic chemicals were evaluated during routine darkroom and developing operations. Analysis of workplace air samples did not indicate exposure to airborne hydroquinone (522667) or aminoethanol compounds in these areas. The author concludes that employees were not exposed to excessive levels of hydroquinone or aminoethanol compounds. The author recommends that local exhaust ventilation systems should be installed in the darkroom and developing room to control odors. Chemical goggles and impervious gloves should be worn when handling or preparing chemicals used for processing photographs. A plumbed emergency eyewash should be installed in the darkroom and in each of the small developing rooms. Management should develop and implement a Chemical Hazard Communication Program.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-93-0367-2321; Hazard-Unconfirmed; Region-2; Air-quality-monitoring; Occupational-exposure; Amines; Quinones; Author Keywords: photofinishing laboratories; aminoethanol compounds; diethanolamine; ethanolamine; hydroquinone

522-66-7

19930501

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1993

PB94-117926

A03

HETA-93-0367-2321

DSHEFS

7384

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NY; OH