Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

In-depth industrial-hygiene survey report on styrene exposure at Larson Industries, Incorporated Boat Plant, Little Falls, Minnesota, February 27-March 1, 1979

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5410231
Worker exposure to styrene was surveyed at Larson Industries Incorporated, Minnesota from February through March 1979. The company manufactures fiberglass reinforced plastic boats. There are 150 workers at the facility, 100 of these are in the production area, and 35% of the production workers are women. Workplace conditions, job types, production processes, past exposures, and medical and industrial surveillance programs were reviewed. A total of 67 charcoal-tube samples were collected and analyzed for styrene and acetone. Concentrations averaged 82.4 parts per million (ppm) and 64.4 ppm, respectively. Many of the styrene samples exceeded the OSHA standard of 100 ppm. The ventilation system failed to control styrene concentrations during winter months. Proper work practices were followed, but exposures were related to the type of job being performed. Charcoal-tube sampling was an effective and reliable technique. It is recommended that the general lamination areas be targeted for new engineering design to reduce styrene exposures and that a program that includes proper fitting and maintenance procedures for respirators be instituted.
Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA). Industrial Hygiene Section
OSTI ID:
5410231
Report Number(s):
PB-89-221055/XAB; IWS--078.28
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English