Health hazard evaluation determination report No. HE 80-41-730, Alaska Husky Battery, Inc. , Anchorage, Alaska

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

OSTI ID:5886298

Apol, A G

Environmental and medical surveys were conducted on January 7 and 10, 1980, to evaluate lead (7439921) exposure among employees engaged in the manufacture of lead acid storage batteries at Alaska Husky Battery, Incorporated (SIC-3691) in Anchorage, Alaska. The evaluation was requested by the owner on behalf of the seven affected workers. Blood lead concentrations ranged from 41 to 75 micrograms per deciliter measured at the NIOSH laboratory, and from 39 to 69 micrograms per deciliter measured at a NIOSH contract laboratory exceeding the recommended limit of 40 micrograms per deciliter. Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentrations from 2,000 to 11,100 microgram per liter of red blood cells were well above the normal range of 220 to 870. The 8 hour time weighted average breathing zone air lead on concentrations ranged from 41 to 1,700 (1,700) micrograms per cubic meter. Six of the eight samples exceeded the OSHA standard of 50 micrograms per cubic meter. The four greatest concentrations occurred during the pasting operation. The author concludes that employees are exposed to hazardous concentrations of lead dust and fume. He recommends that engineering controls and better work practices be implemented, that appropriate respirators be used, that each work area be vacuumed or washed on a regular basis, that no food, drinks, or cigarettes be consumed in the work area, that a changing room be provided that protective gloves be used by workers handling the paste, and that blood lead concentrations be monitored monthly.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5886298
• Report Number(s): PB-81-170946
• 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
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BLOOD CHEMISTRY
BODY FLUIDS
DUSTS
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELEMENTS
ERYTHROCYTES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INSPECTION
LEAD
LEAD-ACID BATTERIES
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
METALS
PERSONNEL
RECOMMENDATIONS
STANDARDS
SURVEYS
TOXICITY