Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 85-268-1641, Products Research Chemical Corp. , Gloucester City, New Jersey

Technical Report · Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5580283

Seixas, N; Ordin, D

Environmental and breathing-zone samples were analyzed for methylethylketone, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene at the Products Research Chemical Corporation, Gloucester City, New Jersey in May and July, 1985. The evaluation was requested by workers because of concern for potential health effects from chemical exposures at the facility. The evaluation was assigned to the New Jersey State Department of Health. Twenty-one employees were interviewed by questionnaire. Work practices were observed. All exposures were well below their relevant standards, generally averaging less than 4.0 parts per million (ppm), except for methylethylketone. The pot washer had a mean methylethylketone exposure of 50.2ppm. Five employees reported skin problems. No other health related problems were reported. The facility had a respiratory-protection program. The pot washer used an air-supplied respirator. The authors conclude that a significant health hazard does not exist at the facility. Recommendations include educating and training the pot washer in the importance of full respiratory and skin protection, installing pumps on the drums and local exhaust ventilation in the batch make/up area, and constructing a vented work station in or adjacent to the compounding area for use during jobs having potentially hazardous exposures.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5580283
• Report Number(s): PB-86-206042/XAB; HETA-85-268-1641
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
TOLUENE
TOXICITY
VENTILATION
XYLENES
AIR POLLUTION
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRY
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SAFETY
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health