Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 88-391-2156, Morton Salt Company, Weeks Island, Louisiana

Technical Report · Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5677611

Ferguson, R P; Knutti, E B

In response to a request from the International Chemical Workers Union, project director, an evaluation was undertaken of possible hazardous working conditions at the Morton Salt Company (SIC-1479), Weeks Island, Louisiana. At Weeks Island the salt was mined from large domes, circular in shape and from a few hundred yards to a mile across. The only detectable overexposures in the mining operation were to coal-tar pitch volatiles. None of the 20 personal breathing zone and area air samples collected in the mill were above detectable limits for asbestos (1332214). The prevalences of chronic cough and chronic phlegm reported were statistically different, exceeding those reported by a group of nonexposed blue collar workers. Chronic symptoms were reported by underground workers in all smoking categories, but only by those surface workers who also smoked. There were more complaints about eye irritation and tearing of the eyes in the underground workers, consistent with diesel byproduct exposure. Four workers were identified through pulmonary function test results with mild obstructive lung disease and one with moderate obstructive lung disease. Three workers with mild restriction of lung volume were noted. None of the 61 chest films taken read positively for pneumoconiosis. The authors conclude that overexposures to coal-tar pitch volatiles existed at the time of the survey. The authors recommend measures for reducing occupational exposures to workplace contaminants. A follow up medical questionnaire survey should be conducted.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5677611
• Report Number(s): PB-92-145762/XAB; HETA-88-391-2156
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ASBESTOS
HEALTH HAZARDS
COAL TAR
EXHAUST GASES
LOUISIANA
MINES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
DIESEL ENGINES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
INHALATION
MINERS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
RECOMMENDATIONS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SALT DEPOSITS
AIR POLLUTION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISEASES
ENGINES
FEDERAL REGION VI
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HAZARDS
HEAT ENGINES
INTAKE
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
TAR
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
USA
WASTES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
540120 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)