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

Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 85-003-1834, B. F. Goodrich, Woodburn, Indiana

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5383433

In response to a request from the United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum and Plastic Workers of America Local 715, an investigation was made of an apparent excess of cancers appearing among workers in the B.F. Goodrich tire manufacturing facility located in Woodburn, Indiana. Excesses were reported in the milling and tuber areas of the facility. Company medical records, death certificates, and medical records from private physicians or hospitals were used to obtain data. Five cases of lung cancer and one of leukemia were confirmed. Analysis revealed a ten-fold increase in lung-cancer incidence over the expected number. In a survey made 5 years previously, breathing-zone samples were taken for nitrosamines, for which NIOSH recommends keeping exposure as low as possible. Exposures to N-nitrosomorpholine ranged from 0.5 to 1.8 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m/sup 3/) and exposures to N-nitrosodimethylamine ranged up to 0.09microg/m/sup 3/. Exposures to benzene in 1975 ranged from 0.5 to 11.9 parts per million. Measurements taken since 1980 showed significantly lower levels. Also, prior to 1979, talc was used at the facility, suggesting possible exposure to asbestos.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
OSTI ID:
5383433
Report Number(s):
PB-88-162672/XAB; HETA-85-003-1834
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English