Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 85-067-1614, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Technical Report · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:5432510

Chrostek, W J

Area air samples were analyzed for 4,4'-methylene-jiphenvlisocyanate (MDI), total reactive isocyanate groups (TRIG), acetone, methylethylketone, formaldehyde, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, perchloroethylene, styrene, and petroleum hydrocarbons at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in January, 1985. The survey was requested by the director of the orthotic/prosthetic laboratory to evaluate environmental air quality in the laboratory during rigid foam mixing, pouring, and grinding operations. Two of three air samples had TRIG concentrations of 224 and 434 microg/m/sup 3/. There is no federal standard for TRIG, although there is a British standard of 20microg/m/sup 3/ for a 10-hour workday. MDI was not detectable. All other exposures were either below their relevant standards or not detectable. The author notes that some renovations had been made following an earlier NIOSH survey in 1981. He concludes that laboratory personnel are exposed to isocyanates. Recommendations include using local exhaust to ventilate the mixing, pouring, and setting rigid foam operations, using NIOSH recommended respirators until diisocyanate emissions are controlled, and following the medical recommendations for personnel that are outlined in the NIOSH diisocyanate Criteria Document.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5432510
• Report Number(s): PB-86-206083/XAB; HETA-85-067-1614
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ACETONE
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
BUILDINGS
FORMALDEHYDE
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HOSPITALS
HYDROCARBONS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
ISOCYANATES
KETONES
MATERIALS
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS
MEDICINE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SAFETY
STYRENE
TOXICITY