Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 90-370-2107, Moore Business Forms, Angola, Indiana

Technical Report · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5040786

Decker, J; Driscoll, R

In response to a request from Moore Business Forms (SIC-2752), Angola, Indiana, an evaluation was undertaken of reports of nausea, headaches, throat irritation, eye irritation, and aching joints in the Preliminary department. The company manufactured various forms for many customers. About 40 employees work in the department; activities include design and preparation of photolithographic plates, and plate preparation. Carbon-dioxide (124389) levels were between 450 and 825 parts per million (ppm). Relative humidities ranged from 36 to 50%, and temperatures ranged from 69 to 76 degrees-F. Methylene-chloride (75092) levels ranged from 1.81 to 9.69ppm. NIOSH recommends that levels of the contaminent be reduced as low as possible. The source of the contamination was the extensive use of a type cleaner solvent in a press area. The most prevalent symptoms reported were headache, metallic taste in the mouth, fatigue, nausea and joint pain. The authors conclude that a number of conditions in the Preliminary department may contribute to reported employee symptoms. A potential health hazard existed from exposure to methylene-chloride; an alternative solvent should be substituted. The authors recommend several measures to improve air quality at the site. These include increasing the make up air and humidification, relocating the exhausts and intakes on the roof, maintenance or replacement of an air conditioning unit, and modifications to some of the exhaust hoods.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5040786
• Report Number(s): PB-91-238162/XAB; HETA--90-370-2107
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
BODY
BUILDINGS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FEDERAL REGION V
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDIANA
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INHALATION
INTAKE
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE LEVEL
MEDICINE
METHYLENE CHLORIDE
MONITORING
NAUSEA
NORTH AMERICA
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
OFFICE BUILDINGS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHARYNX
POLLUTION
RECOMMENDATIONS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS
SYMPTOMS
USA
VENTILATION