Investigation of occupational illnesses at the 222-S building on December 8, 1982
On the afternoon of December 8, 1982, three Rockwell Chemical Technologists, B, D, and E, were transported to Kadlec Hospital with varying degrees of dermatitis and respiratory problems. One chemical technologist was held overnight and released to return to work on December 13, 1982. The other two were not released until December 16, 1982, and continuing ill effects have prevented their return to work. The chemical technologists' symptoms developed initially during a sodium fluoride repackaging operation in Room 4M of the 222-S Analytical Laboratory. The sodium fluoride was being repackaged from a 25-lb box of the material into 500-g quart ice cream cartons. The repackaging was done inside a chemical fume hood. The closed cartons were removed from the hood and sealed with tape on a laboratory bench. Procedurally, the final taping was to be done in the hood. Events and causal factors associated with the incident are summarized. It is concluded that extreme sensitivity of the three individuals to sodium fluoride probably caused the incident. The lack of procedural steps to minimize movement of sodium fluoride contamination from the hood probably led to increased sodium fluoride contamination in the room. This may have contributed to the reactions of the chemical technologists.
- Research Organization:
- Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (United States). Rockwell Hanford Operations
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-77RL01030
- OSTI ID:
- 6117619
- Report Number(s):
- RHO-QA-VS-2P; ON: DE83011105
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
LLNL's Diagram of Chronological Events and B695 Weekly Inspection Reports
Unique Facilities, Innovative Treatment Processes, and a Talented Workforce Allow Fluor Idaho to Successfully Disposition Transuranic Waste - 18388
Related Subjects
HANFORD RESERVATION
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PERSONNEL
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
SODIUM FLUORIDES
MATERIALS HANDLING
ACCIDENTS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
SAFETY
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
570000* - Health & Safety