Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 83-015-1809, Wellman Dynamics Corporation, Creston, Iowa

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5015408

Kominsky, J R; Wilcox, T; Lucas, C

A request was received from Local 17, International Molders and Allied Workers Union to evaluate possible hazardous levels of chemical substances in the welding and foundry areas at Wellman Dynamics Corporation Creston, Iowa. Crystalline silica concentrations in the breathing zone of sand molders, core makers, sand mixers, and core-knockout personnel ranged from 52 to 238 micrograms/cubic meter (m/cu m). Formaldehyde levels of 0.11 to 0.42 mg/cu m were found in the breathing zones of coremakers, metal pourers and core-knockout personnel, contributing to eye and upper respiratory tract irritation. Triethylamine was found at levels of 0.4 to 38 mg/cu m in the breathing zone of coremakers, increasing respiratory distress. No excess levels were found of aluminum, magnesium, beryllium, inorganic fluorides, barium, methylene-bisphenyl-isocyanate, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, ethyl alcohol, or ozone. The authors conclude that workers were exposed to potentially toxic concentrations of crystalline silica and formaldehyde. Workers were also experiencing eye and respiratory irritant exposures. The authors recommend the institution of an effective medical and environmental monitoring program, control of free-silica-dust exposure through engineering methods, medical examinations for workers with possible exposure to silica, and fit-testing respirators.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5015408
• Report Number(s): PB-88-149232/XAB; HETA-83-015-1809
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
CHALCOGENIDES
FORMALDEHYDE
FOUNDRIES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
MINERALS
MONITORING
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SILICA
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
TOXICITY