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Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-92-0101-2341, Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Georgia.

Kiefer-M; Bresler-F; Salisbury-S

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 92-0101-2341, 1993 Aug; :1-29

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/1992-0101-2341.pdf

00217009

In response to a request from the Brooks Air Force Base, Armstrong Laboratory, Occupational Medical Division concerning the use of d- limonene (138863) based cleaning solvents, a study was conducted at Robins Air Force Base (SIC-3721), Warner Robins, Georgia. During the site visit, manufacturing processes and chemical handling practices were reviewed at various shops where a d-limonene based degreasing solvent was used in unventilated open surface tanks. The highest concentration of d-limonene detected was a 1 hour time weighted average (TWA) of 114 parts per million (ppm) obtained from an employee in Shop 76 who was cleaning aircraft wheel hubs. The highest concentration detected during personal sampling in Shop 169 was a 35 minute TWA of 5.2ppm obtained from an employee using a d- limonene based aerosol cleaning agent. The adherence of employees to good personal protective equipment practices was sporadic. A review of the illness and injury log maintained by the safety department did not uncover any reports related to d-limonene use. Half of the fourteen workers interviewed described an increase in skin dryness since the d-limonene based materials came into general use. The authors conclude that although detectable airborne levels of d- limonene were found, the potential health hazard is not clear. Reported cases of possible allergic contact dermatitis suggest the need to use gloves when working with these materials. The authors recommend additional industrial hygiene measures and surveillance.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-92-0101-2341; Hazard-Unconfirmed; Region-4; Skin-exposure; Cleaning-compounds; Organic-solvents; Industrial-dermatoses; Occupational-exposure;

138-86-3

19930801

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1993

PB94-133634

A03

HETA-92-0101-2341

DSHEFS

3721

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

GA; OH