Health-hazard evaluation report MHETA 87-039-1837, Old Ben Coal Company, Benton, Illinois

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5383368

Cornwell, R J; Stark, G

In response to a request from the Deputy Administrator, Occupational Health, of the United Mine Workers of America, a study was made of possible worker exposure to two hydraulic fluids at the Old Ben Coal Company located in Benton, Illinois. Employees using Solcenic-3A hydraulic fluid or working near its area of use had reported eye, skin, or respiratory irritation. Solcenic-2 fluid produced no symptoms. Chemical analysis revealed that Solcenic-3A contained dipropylene-glycol isomers and a small amount of ethanolamine which were not present in Solcenic-2. The authors suggest that these components may lower the Solcenic-3A odor threshold. Area air evaluations indicated no harmful exposures to the component methyl-isobutyl-carbinol, with exposures of 1.4 and 3.4mg/cu m determined for two of 11 samples. No excessive exposure to the component napthenic mineral oil was found; it was considered that workers were exposed to it only during hydraulic-line ruptures or fluid spills. Of 13 workers reporting symptoms, nine of 11 interviewed had symptoms possibly due to skin or inhalation exposure to Solcenic-3A. The authors suggest that inhalation symptoms are a reaction to its strong vapor. They conclude that there is no health hazard, but they recommend use of protective equipment, proper disposal of waste, and use of nonirritating Solcenic-2.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5383368
• Report Number(s): PB-88-162789/XAB; MHETA-87-039-1837
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
016000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Health & Safety
500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR POLLUTION
CLOTHING
COAL MINING
FLUIDS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HYDRAULIC FLUIDS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
MINING
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
POLLUTION
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
SAFETY
TOXICITY
UNDERGROUND MINING
WORKING FLUIDS