Health hazard evaluation report HETA 93-1092-2461, UNR-Rohn Manufacturing, Peoria, Illinois

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:121935

Marlow, D A; Seitz, T A

In response to a confidential request, an investigation was begun into reports of headaches and nausea in workers in the galvanizing department at UNR-Rohn Manufacturing (SIC-3479), Peoria, Illinois. The facility manufactered solid member hot dip galvanized towers and did customize galvanizing work. The company employed 51 workers in the galvanizing department. Personal breathing zone samples for zinc, cadmium, chromium, ammonia and aluminum all were well below the allowable limit. Samples for lead ranged from trace to 56.1 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) of air; the Osha permissible exposure limit (PEL) was 50 microg/cu.m. Surface wipe samples were collected and found to contain zinc at a range of 5.3 to 331 mg/sq.m., lead from nondetectable to 16.3 mg/sq.m., chromium ranging from nodetectable to 4.6 mg/sq.m., and nondetectable for cadmium. The author concludes that workers were potentially exposed to lead levels in excess of the PEL. The author recommends that surface metal contamination levels should be kept at a minimum in areas such as the break area and rest rooms. Cadmium concentrations should be kept to the lowest feasible limit. Exposure monitoring should be continued, and improvements made in worker personal hygiene, and workplace cleanliness.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
• OSTI ID: 121935
• Report Number(s): PB--95-269999/XAB; HETA--93-1092-2461
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CADMIUM
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
RISK ASSESSMENT