Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 83-019-1562, Berlex Labs. , Wayne, New Jersey. [Quinidine]

Technical Report · Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:5529943

Igliewicz, R; Schmidt, M; Gann, P

Breathing-zone samples were analyzed for quinidine at Berlex Laboratories, Wayne, New Jersey in January, February, and June through August, 1983. The evaluation was requested by the local union to investigate work related skin rashes and respiratory symptoms among employees involved in producing quinidine-gluconate. Questionnaire interviews were conducted with 47 employees in April, 1984. Medical examinations including serum immunology and skin prick tests were also performed. Airborne quinidine concentrations ranged from 0.2 mg/m/sup 3/ in the packaging area to 5.0mg/m/sup 3/ in the manufacturing area. There is no federal standard for quinidine. Seventy percent of the employees reported respiratory and skin symptoms such as rashes, stuffy nose, red puffed eyes, chest tightness, and wheezing. Nineteen percent of the employees had allergic contact dermatitis. The results of the immunological and skin prick tests were negative. The authors conclude that a health hazard due to exposure to quinidine powder exists. The primary cause of the symptoms appears to be an irritant effect from exposure to the powder. Recommendations include reducing exposures with engineering controls and work practices and developing a personal air sampling protocol.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5529943
• Report Number(s): PB-86-206075/XAB; HETA-83-019-1562
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
DRUGS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
TOXICITY
AIR POLLUTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
POLLUTION
SAFETY
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health