Health-hazard evaluation report HETA-91-293-2203, Valley Hospital, Palmer, Alaska

Technical Report · Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:7128994

Shults, R A; Seitz, T A

In response to a request from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers an investigation was made into a possible kidney cancer cluster at the Valley Hospital (SIC-8062), Palmer, Alaska. Workers had expressed concern over possible exposures to ethylene-oxide (75218) (EtO) at the facility. The hospital employed about 154 workers. A new wing had been added to the hospital in 1983 and from that time on there were complaints that diesel fumes and other noxious odors often could be detected throughout the hospital. The gas sterilizer was installed in 1983 and a number of changes had been made to reduce employee exposure. Environmental monitoring was conducted during two sterilization/aeration cycles. EtO was not detected in the five personal breathing zone air samples obtained. Only two of 15 area air samples contained detectable levels of EtO. The authors conclude that the two kidney cancer deaths appear to be an excess over the expected rate; however, the statistical methods are not reliable for such a small population size. The authors recommend improvements in the EtO monitoring program at the facility, as deficiences were noted in environmental monitoring, reporting, training, and preventive maintenance.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
• OSTI ID: 7128994
• Report Number(s): PB-92-221035/XAB; HETA-91-293-2203
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALASKA
HOSPITALS
ETHYLENE
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PERSONNEL
RECOMMENDATIONS
AIR POLLUTION
ALKENES
ANIMALS
BUILDINGS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
HAZARDS
HYDROCARBONS
MAMMALS
MAN
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
PRIMATES
USA
VERTEBRATES
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology