Health hazard evaluation report HETA 85-021-1654, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Technical Report · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5044398

McManus, K P

Following a request from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, the source of nose bleeds and upper-respiratory-tract irritation among employees in the insulation shop at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was investigated. Air samples were collected and analyzed for total fiber count. Samples were also analyzed by transmission electron microscopy for fiber identification, gravimetrically for respirable dust exposure, and x-ray diffraction for quartz content. Medical questionnaires were completed by 73 of 100 insulators. Respirable dust concentrations ranged from 8.7 to 30 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3). Concentrations of total fibers less than 5 microns in length ranged from 0.0017 to 0.005 fibers per cubic centimeter. Asbestos concentrations did not differ significantly from zero. Symptoms most frequently reported were sneezing, experienced by 81 percent of respondents, followed by runny nose, frequent colds, and skin irritation. Sixty three percent reported having some nose bleeds, consisting of spotting when blowing the nose, with an average frequency of two per week. The author concludes that employee symptoms are probably caused by the irritating properties of magnesium silicate, portland cement, and fibrous glass, as well as poor work practices which resulted in direct contact and transfer of the irritating dusts. Rigorous attention to personal hygiene is recommended.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5044398
• Report Number(s): PB-86-221587/XAB; HETA-85-021-1654
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
MAGNESIUM SILICATES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
MILITARY FACILITIES
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
THERMAL INSULATION
ASBESTOS
FIBERS
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
NIOSH
PORTLAND CEMENT
TOXICITY
AIR POLLUTION
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
BUILDING MATERIALS
CEMENTS
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SAFETY
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
US ORGANIZATIONS
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health