Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 89-083-2134, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Ravenna, Ohio
In response to a worker request, a study was undertaken of possible hazardous working conditions at the Parflex Division of the Parker Hannifin Corporation (SIC-3041), Ravenna, Ohio. There were 202 hourly workers at the facility which produced thermoplastic flexible hose and tubing using an extrusion process. The products may be composed of polyethylene, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene, nylon, polyester, or polyurethane. A high prevalence of respiratory complaints was documented among the employees. These were not isolated to a particular part of the site or occupation, but were instead generalized throughout the facility. There was potential exposure to isocyanates during both extrusion and cabling. Peak flow monitoring documented eight of 52 employees tested with results indicative of work related reversible airway obstruction who also had respiratory symptoms at work and a history of asthma. Immunologic testing revealed only one employee with an isocyanate specific immunoglobulin-E. The author concludes that exposures to isocyanates occurred, and that in some individuals these exposures may be the cause of the symptoms. The author recommends that improvements be made in the ventilation conditions at the facility, and that personal protective equipment in use be upgraded.
- Research Organization:
- National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5705755
- Report Number(s):
- PB-92-133248/XAB; HETA--89-083-2134
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ASTHMA
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISEASES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EPIDEMIOLOGY
ESTERS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
IMMUNOLOGY
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INDUSTRY
ISOCYANATES
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NORTH AMERICA
NYLON
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
OHIO
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PERSONNEL
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
PLASTICS INDUSTRY
POLLUTION
POLYAMIDES
POLYESTERS
POLYETHYLENES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
POLYPROPYLENE
POLYURETHANES
POLYVINYLS
PVC
RECOMMENDATIONS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
TOXICITY
USA
VENTILATION