Health hazard evaluation report HETA 92-226-2269, Empire Distributors, Inc. , Atlanta, Georgia

Technical Report · Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:6124975

Kiefer, M

In response to a request from the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union, worker exposure to diesel exhaust at the Empire Distributors, Inc. (SIC-4215) warehouse in Atlanta, Georgia was investigated. Empire Distributors was a wholesale beverage distributor, employing about 40 warehouse workers and 33 truck drivers. All 32 delivery trucks were being replaced with newer models which emitted much less visible emissions than did the older models. The employees were experiencing transient eye and throat irritation. Environmental sampling was conducted to determine employee exposure to elemental carbon as an index of diesel emission concentrations. The highest elemental carbon concentrations detected were for the drivers of trucks and from the check out operator. Carbon-monoxide levels were well below established exposure criteria. Particle concentrations during the morning truck start up activities were five times higher than concentrations during the night shift. The author concludes that there was a potential for elevated levels of nitrogen-dioxide during the morning start up activities, especially during winter months. The author recommends that efforts be made to reduce exposure to diesel emissions.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6124975
• Report Number(s): PB-93-215085/XAB; HETA-92-226-2269
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
HEALTH HAZARDS
RISK ASSESSMENT
TRUCKS
GASEOUS WASTES
AIR POLLUTION
ATLANTA
CARBON MONOXIDE
CLOTHING
DELIVERY
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EXHAUST SYSTEMS
GEORGIA
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
SAFETY STANDARDS
SAMPLING
SURVEYS
TOXIC MATERIALS
US EPA
ANIMALS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HAZARDS
MAMMALS
MAN
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
PRIMATES
SAFETY
STANDARDS
URBAN AREAS
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
VEHICLES
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)