Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 81-369-1591, HETA 81-466-1591, Electric Machinery - McGraw Edison Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Technical Report · Sun Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5897641

Stephenson, R L; Murphy, D C; Habes, D J

Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for amines, aliphatic aldehydes, boron-trifluoride-monoethylamine, epichlorohydrin, total volatile fluorides, formaldehyde, lead, methyl- tetrahydrophthalic-anhydride, and n-butyl-glycidyl-ether at Electric Machinery/McGraw Edison Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota in December, 1981 and February, 1983. The surveys were requested by the union local because of irritative symptoms and respiratory problems reported by employees exposed to epoxy resin compounds and impregnated materials. The authors conclude that mucous membrane irritation and dermatitis are common among workers exposed to epoxy resins. A high prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome was also found. Recommendations include reducing formaldehyde concentrations, using personal protective equipment and barrier creams, and maintaining proper work practices and good personal hygiene to minimize contact with epoxy resin materials.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5897641
• Report Number(s): PB-86-133758/XAB; HETA-81-369-1591
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
AMINES
ANHYDRIDES
ELECTRIC MOTORS
EPOXIDES
ETHERS
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
FORMALDEHYDE
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
MOTORS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SAFETY
TOXICITY
VENTILATION