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Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-91-392-2291, Iron Workers Union, Local 372, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Venable HL; Esswein EJ

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 91-392-2291, 1993 Mar; :1-16

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/1991-0392-2291.pdf

00218680

In response to a request from the International Iron Workers Local 72 (SIC-1791) in Cincinnati, Ohio, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous working conditions arising from the cutting of epoxy coated steel reinforcing rod used in the construction of concrete structures. Workers were also concerned about possible exposures occurring during recoating of steel with a two part epoxy resin paint. Personal breathing zone air samples were collected during cutting procedures conducted with either a cutting torch or a cut off saw, and analyzed for total particulates, metals, oxides of nitrogen, aldehydes, 4,4-methylene-dianiline (101779), volatile organic compounds and carbon-monoxide (630080). Sampling for methyl- isobutyl-ketone (141797), xylene (1330207), and 2-butoxyethanol (111762) was conducted during the patch kit operations. The authors conclude that no exposures related to the epoxy resin coating or the patch kit were detected which would be of concern. Over exposures were documented to total particulates and various metals including iron (7439896), nickel (7440020), copper (7440508), titanium (7440326), and arsenic (7440382). These exposures most likely came from the reinforcing rod and the cutting wheel. The authors recommend that measures be taken to reduce these exposures while cutting either coated or uncoated steel.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-91-392-2291; Hazard-Unconfirmed; Region-5; Construction-workers; Airborne-particles; Construction-Search; Author Keywords: Structural Steel Erection; dust; metals; carbon monoxide; epoxy coating; epoxy resin paint; volatile organic compounds; aldehydes; formaldehyde; xylenes; 2-butoxyethanol

101-77-9; 630-08-0; 141-79-7; 1330-20-7; 111-76-2; 7439-89-6; 7440-02-0; 7440-50-8; 7440-32-6; 7440-38-2

19930301

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1993

PB94-169729

A03

HETA-91-392-2291

DSHEFS

1791

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

OH