Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 91-093-2126, Seville Centrifugal Bronze Inc. , Seville, Ohio

Technical Report · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:5812176

Clark, N J; Jensen, P A

In response to a request from the Ohio Department of Health, an evaluation was made of worker exposure to lead (7439921) at Seville Centrifugal Bronze Inc. (SIC-3366), Seville, Ohio. The company used about 25 different alloys, with lead contents ranging from 0.5 to 8%. At the time of the visit, there were eight production workers and one foreman at the foundry. The company required half mask respirators with high efficiency particulate air filters to be worn in the foundry production area as well as other safety equipment. Personal breathing zone air concentrations were below the safety limits for several trace elements. However, cadmium (7440439) levels exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit of lowest feasible exposure. Lead concentrations ranged from 98 to 230 micrograms/cubic meter and all of the personal breathing zone samples for lead exceeded the recommended limits. The pouring area had no local ventilation controls. The authors conclude that the lead levels constituted a health hazard to the workers. The authors recommend increasing the ventilation capabilities of the system by providing additional local exhaust ventilation during pouring and removal of the slag, use of a vacuum cleaner with high efficiency particulate air filters for cleaning up dust, substitution of a less hazardous mold wash, and separating the eating area from the machining and grinding area.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5812176
• Report Number(s): PB-92-123843/XAB; HETA--91-093-2126
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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
CADMIUM
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION V
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INDUSTRY
LEAD
METAL INDUSTRY
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
OHIO
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
USA