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Health-hazard evaluation determination report No. 77-10-412; American Smelting and Refining Company, Denver, Colorado

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5764104
Environmental and medical surveys were conducted on December 6-9, 1976 and March 28-30, 1977 to evaluate potential hazards associated with exposure to cadmium, lead, and zinc during the operation of a secondary smelter at the Globe facility of the American Smelting and Refining Company in Denver, Colorado. Blood lead concentrations exceeded the harmful concentration of 60 micrograms per 100 ml. Elevated blood-lead concentrations corresponded with an elevated free erythrocytic protoporphyrin concentration. Blood-cadmium concentrations exceeded the nonexposed concentration of 1 microgram per 100 ml. Urine-cadmium concentrations exceeded the 15 micrograms per gram creatinine normal concentration. Environmental-cadmium concentrations exceeded the OSHA standard of 0.1 mg/Cum. All zinc concentrations were below recommended standards. Environmental-lead concentrations exceeded the OSHA standard of 0.2 mg/CuM. The authors conclude that a health hazard to workers exposed to lead and cadmium did exist at the time of the evaluation.
Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
OSTI ID:
5764104
Report Number(s):
PB-89-181986/XAB; HHE-77-010-412
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English