Health hazard evaluation determination report 77-97-482, Inland Steel Company, Indiana Harbor Works, East Chicago, Indiana

Technical Report · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:5522022

Evans, W A; Stroman, R

An investigation regarding employee exposure to inorganic lead during the production of leaded steel for precision products of good machinability has been conducted. The area of concern was in the pouring stand of the 'Pit' section of the Basic Oxygen furnace shop. Atmospheric samples for lead were collected on Millipore filters Type AA* (mixed cellulose ester) with 0.8 micron pore size. Personal samples were taken at the employee's breathing zone using a battery powered vacuum pump. Area samples were collected with the same equipment along the pouring stand. The medical evaluation included interviews, physical examinations, and blood chemical analysis. It has been determined that a potential hazard to the health of the workers exposed to lead dust and fumes exists. Ten of thirteen personal samples for inorganic lead exceeded the proposed 100 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air microgram/cu m. Eight personal samples exceeded the current lead standard of 200 microgram/cu m. These concentrations ranged from 25-2600 microgram/cu m of lead. Of the 16 blood lead analyses, three were in excess of 60 micrograms of lead per 100 milliliters of whole blood (60 microgram/100 ml), five were in the range of 40-60 microgram/100 ml, and eight were less than 40 microgram/100 ml.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5522022
• Report Number(s): PB-291670
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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