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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Paraho oil shale workers occupational health study

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5149886· OSTI ID:5149886
An occupational health and industrial hygiene study of the oil shale workers at the Department of Energy Anvil Points Oil Shale Mine and Retorting Facility near Rifle, Colorado, was conducted. This evaluation was to look specifically at the potential occupational health problems associated with the Paraho direct combustion retorting process. In addition, the mine, crushing plant, disposal, and auxiliary operations were also studied. Industrial hygiene data did not confirm any personal exposures in excess of industrial hygiene standards. However, area sampling did show that areas and operations would present significant exposures to some employees should such employees work full time in these areas. Commercial scale operations will require industrial hygiene control measures. The medical study performed on the Paraho employees indicates that there are no health problems or effects positively correlated with exposure to oil shale operations or its retorting products. The major health effect noted was from job-incurred injuries. Commercial scale operations will require periodic comprehensive medical evaluations as well as design of operations and equipment to avoid potential health and safety problems.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
5149886
Report Number(s):
LA-8459-MS
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English