Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 85-433-1638, Current, Inc. , Colorado Springs, Colorado

Technical Report · Sat Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5580327

Gunter, B J

Breathing-zone and environmental samples were analyzed for toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, and isopropanol at Current, Incorporated, Colorado Springs, Colorado in August, 1985. The evaluation was requested by the safety and health department to investigate chemical exposures at the facility. An unspecified number of employees were interviewed. Average solvent exposures were: toluene, 1.4 mg/m/sup 3/; xylene, 1.7mg/m/sup 3/; ethylbenzene, 0.4mg/m/sup 3/, methylene chloride, 28mg/m/sup 3/; perchloroethylene, 0.4mg/m/sup 3/; and isopropanol, 30mg/m/sup 3/. The maximum methylene chloride exposure, 344mg/m/sup 3/, exceeded the NIOSH standard of 260mg/m/sup 3/. The OSHA standard for methylene chloride is 1700mg/m/sup 3/. All other exposures were well below their relevant standards. Employee interviews indicated that the workers were satisfied with their jobs and complaints were limited. The complaints were not sufficient to warrant a medical evaluation. The author concludes that there is a potential health hazard from methylene chloride exposure. Recommendations include substituting less toxic solvents for methylene chloride and perchloroethylene if possible, installing local exhaust ventilation next to all printing presses, and prohibiting smoking and eating in the pressroom.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5580327
• Report Number(s): PB-86-203510/XAB; HETA-85-433-1638
• 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
AIR POLLUTION
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HYDROCARBONS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
METHYLENE CHLORIDE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
REMEDIAL ACTION
SAFETY
TOLUENE
TOXICITY
VENTILATION
XYLENES