Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 85-188-1627, Distribution and Auto Service, Inc. , Benecia, California

Technical Report · Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:5625387

Belanger, P L

Environmental and breathing-zone samples were analyzed for carbon monoxide at Distribution and Auto Services, Incorporated, Benecia, California in March, 1985. The evaluation was requested by a union representative due to complaints of headaches, drowsiness, and nausea from employees in the air-conditioning shop. It was believed that either exhaust fumes or rust inhibitor burn off was causing the symptoms. Three workers were interviewed to determine the extent of their medical complaints. Carbon monoxide concentrations ranged from 2 to 5 parts per million (ppm) in the shop and 4 to 5ppm in a paint spray booth. The NIOSH standard for carbon monoxide is 35ppm. Workers complained about dizziness, headache, nausea, and lightheadedness. A haze and bad odor were reported to emanate from the vehicles while their air conditioning systems were being tested. The author concludes that the employees are not overexposed to carbon monoxide. He recommends that vehicle air-conditioning testing be done outdoors, or two unused spray paint booths be utilized for that purpose. The spray-paint booth exhaust fan should be cleaned periodically to prevent the accumulation of the oily residue burn off seen on exhaust fans in the shop.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5625387
• Report Number(s): PB-86-191913/XAB; HETA-85-188-1627
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
AIR CONDITIONERS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
CARBON MONOXIDE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
EXHAUST GASES
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
TESTING
TOXICITY
VENTILATION
AIR POLLUTION
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
INDUSTRY
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SAFETY
WASTES
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health