Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-95-0393-2633, Clinch River Power Plant, Cleveland, Virginia.
Source
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 95-0393-2633, 1997 Apr; :1-24
Abstract
In response to a request from the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, an investigation was begun into possible exposures during rebuilding of coal fired boilers at the Clinch River Power Plant (SIC-4911), Cleveland, Virginia. During the sampling period, boilermakers removed secondary inlet and secondary outlet boiler elements and removed and replaced portions of the steel boiler casting, exposing them to fly ash and fumes from air arc gouging, welding, and torch cutting. Laborers maintained the walkways and prepared work areas using sweeping and vacuuming techniques, primarily exposing them to fly ash. The highest personal breathing zone (PBZ) air sample concentrations of arsenic (7440382), beryllium (7440406), cadmium (7440439), nickel (7440020), lead (7439921), and respirable dust occurred when boilermakers performed job tasks inside the boiler and outside the boiler on the steel boiler casing. Air arc gouging, welding, oxyacetylene torch cutting, or grinding on or near the scale greatly increased the potential for the generation of airborne particles. Cristobalite (14464461) was found in one PBZ sample at 0.03mg/m3. The author concludes that there appears to be a potential for a health hazard at job sites where similar activities take place. The author recommends lowering worker exposures through the use of engineering controls and improvements in housekeeping procedures.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-95-0393-2633; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-3; Combustion-products; Airborne-particles; Metal-dusts; Dust-exposure; Welders; Electric-power-generation; Fly-ash; Carcinogens; Construction-Search
CAS No.
7440-38-2; 7440-40-6; 7440-43-9; 7440-02-0; 7439-92-1; 14464-46-1
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
NTIS Accession No.
PB97-196968
Identifying No.
HETA-95-0393-2633
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
