Health hazard evaluation determination report No. HE 80-44-731, Alaskan Battery Enterprises, Fairbanks, Alaska

Technical Report · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5886282

Apol, A G

Worker exposure to lead (7439921) (Pb) at Alaskan Battery Enterprises (SIC-3691) in Fairbanks, Alaska were evaluated on January 8 to 10, 1980. An evaluation request came from the owner of the facility on behalf of the employees engaged in the manufacture of lead acid storage batteries. Personal and area air samples were collected, and workers were examined. Breathing zone air concentrations of Pb ranged from 111 to 1053 micrograms per cubic meter. All of the five 8 hour time weighted average atmospheric Pb samples exceeded the OSHA standard of 50 micrograms per cubic meter. General area Pb concentrations ranged from 25 to 129 micrograms per cubic meter. Blood Pb concentrations of 8 employees ranged from 43 to 87 micrograms per deciliter; several were greater than the recommended limit of 50 micrograms per deciliter. Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin was markedly elevated in all cases. The author concludes that a health hazard existed from exposure to Pb dust and fume. They recommend the implementation of engineering controls, respirator usage, personal hygiene and medical monitoring.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5886282
• Report Number(s): PB-81-171076
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
570000 -- Health & Safety
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
DISEASES
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELEMENTS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEMIC DISEASES
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INSPECTION
LEAD
LEAD-ACID BATTERIES
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
METALS
PERSONNEL
RECOMMENDATIONS
STANDARDS
SURVEYS
TOXICITY