HHE Report No. HETA-95-0153-2549, Fort Wayne Foundry Machining Division, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Source
NIOSH 1995 Dec:26 pages
Abstract
In response to a request from employees at the Fort Wayne Foundry Machine Division (SIC-3363), Fort Wayne, Indiana an investigation was begun into exposure to metal working fluid and to the biocide Grotan. Concerns expressed included skin irritation, runny nose, upper respiratory infections, shortness of breath, headaches, coughing, cuts that became easily infected, and cancer. The Division machined automotive aluminum castings. No nitrosamines were detected in bulk samples taken from the site. General air samples revealed oil mist concentrations of 0.27mg/m3 and 0.47mg/m3, which were well below any established occupational criteria. Formaldehyde (50000) concentrations were all less than 0.06 parts per million. Bacteria concentrations were in the range of 10(6) to 10(7) colony forming units/milliliter of metal working fluid. All bacteria identified were gram negative rods. The author concludes that sampling results did not suggest over exposure to formaldehyde, nitrosamines or oil mist. The workers were exposed to metal working fluid. Workers had poor hygiene practices and rarely used any personal protective equipment. The author recommends that the local exhaust ventilation be improved, and that dermal contact with the metalworking fluid and inhalation exposure should be reduced.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-95-0153-2549; Region-5; Hazard-Unconfirmed; Metalworking-industry; Coolants; Occupational-exposure; Air-quality-monitoring; Machinists;
Document Type
Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance;
NTIS Accession No.
PB96-209598
Identifying No.
HETA-95-0153-2549
Source Name
Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch, NIOSH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, Report No. HETA-95-0153-2549, 26 pages, 75 references
