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Title: Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 87-017-1949, United Rubber Workers' International Union, Akron, Ohio

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5721076

An evaluation was made of exposure to fibrogenic dust and the occurrence of pneumoconioses among workers in the tire industry. A series of 987 chest radiographs for workers at least 40 years old was reviewed and limited environmental testing was performed. The investigation concerned workers at nine locations, representing four different companies. The results of the film analysis indicated two films with minor parenchymal change suggestive of pneumoconiosis and 22 films with other pleural abnormalities. Almost half of those films with abnormalities were found among workers at one particular facility. Twenty-four of the 987 films indicated findings consistent with asbestos exposure. Surveys conducted in three tire manufacturing facilities represented in the x-ray survey indicated no documentable overexposures to fibrous materials or to other known pneumoconiosis-producing dusts. Data collected by OSHA from 1979 through 1985 in the rubber manufacturing industry indicated that there were overexposures to asbestos.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
OSTI ID:
5721076
Report Number(s):
PB-89-200992/XAB; HETA-87-017-1949
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English