Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 87-097-1820, Devil's Lake Sioux Manufacturing Corporation, Fort Totten, Morth Dakota

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5015225

Nichting, A T

In response to a request from employees at the Devil's Lake Sioux Manufacturing Corporation located in Fort Totten, North Dakota, a study was made to determine a possible health hazard from n-hexane exposure and other organic solvents used in the manufacture of Kevlar combat helmets at the facility. Ten women working as edgers had been treated for carpal tunnel syndrome. Air samples revealed concentrations of xylene ranging from not detectable to 6.44 mg/m/sup 3/, toluene ranging from 0.46 to 33.2 mg/m/sup 3/, hexane ranging from 0.27 to 83.3 mg/m/sup 3/, and methyl ethyl ketone ranging from 20.0 to 310 mg/m/sup 3/. These levels were highest in the areas of the facility where edgers and glue spray booth operators worked. The author concludes that solvent exposures in these locations posed a potential health hazard. The carpal tunnel syndrome complaints appear to be related to ergonomic factors. The author recommends the substitution of less-toxic materials in the workplace; applying proper engineering controls; improving local-exhaust ventilation; providing protective clothing for workers; sampling of employees for organic solvent exposure at regular intervals; and informing the employees of all hazards inherent in their work.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5015225
• Report Number(s): PB-88-153234/XAB; HETA-87-097-1820
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
SOLVENTS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PLASTICS INDUSTRY
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
ADHESIVES
HEXANE
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
TOLUENE
TOXICITY
AIR POLLUTION
ALKANES
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRY
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health