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Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 90-344-2159, A. W. Cash Valve Manufacturing Corporation, Decatur, Illinois

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5408553

In response to a request from a management representative of A.W. Cash Valve Manufacturing Corp (SIC-3491), Decatur, Illinois, a study was undertaken of airborne concentrations of trichloroethylene (79016) (TCE). The company manufactured precision brass and stainless steel valves. After milling and lathing operations, the valve parts were degreased in an open top vapor degreaser using TCE. NIOSH has recommended that exposure to TCE be controlled to the lowest feasible level. Seven full shift samples were collected for TCE. Five of these were area samples and two were personal breathing zone (PBZ) samples from the degreaser operator. These two full shift PBZ samples contained 5.2 and 4.5 parts per million (ppm). Five full shift area samples ranged from 1.1 to 5.3ppm. While this was below the limit of 25ppm proposed in a 1978 NIOSH Technical Report based on engineering controls available at that time, newer controls have shown that exposures can be reduced to far lower levels. The author concludes that there was a potential health hazard from short term exposures to TCE. The author recommends that personal protective equipment and ventilation controls be used to limit exposure.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
OSTI ID:
5408553
Report Number(s):
PB-92-164243/XAB; HETA--90-344-2159
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English