Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 89-270-2080, Harrisburg Steam Generation Facility, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Technical Report · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:5455174

Seitz, T A

In response to a request from the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a health hazard evaluation was conducted at the Harrisburg Steam Generation Facility (HSGF)(SIC-4953) concerning possible exposure to fly ash, combustion products and asbestos (1332214). The facility was a waste to energy site where municipal refuse was incinerated at approximately 1400 degrees-F. The steam generated was either sold directly or converted to electricity via an on site turbine. Employees used hard hats, safety shoes and glasses, work clothes and single use disposable dust and mist respirators. There was a potential for exposure to fly ash for employees working in the boiler and basement areas. Total particulate exposures ranged from 5 to llmg/m3 for laborers. The concentration of lead (7439921) exceeded the standards set by OSHA permissible exposure level of 0.05mg/kg in three of the personal breathing zone air samples. Amosite (12172735) and chrysotile (12001295) asbestos were identified in bulk samples of insulation and asbestos taken from a settled dust sample in the boiler area. Surface wipe samples indicated the possibility of hand to mouth contact with fly ash, particularly in the break and locker rooms. The author concludes that there is a need for reducing worker exposure to fly ash particulate. The author recommends engineering and work practice controls to reduce particulate exposures, increased cleaning and maintenance activities; and further evaluation of asbestos contamination at the facility.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5455174
• Report Number(s): PB-91-197483/XAB; HETA--89-270-2080
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOL WASTES
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ASBESTOS
ASHES
BOILERS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FLY ASH
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INHALATION
INTAKE
LEAD
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
MEDICINE
METALS
MINERALS
MONITORING
MUNICIPAL WASTES
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
OXIDATION
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
PERSONNEL
RECOMMENDATIONS
RESIDUES
SAFETY
SAFETY STANDARDS
SERPENTINE
SILICATE MINERALS
STANDARDS
STEAM GENERATORS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VAPOR GENERATORS
WASTES