Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 91-009-2108, Carbon/Graphite Group, Louisville, Kentucky

Technical Report · Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:6148695

Decker, J

In response to a request from the International Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers Union, an evaluation was made of possible health hazards at the Carbon/Graphite Group (SIC-2819), Louisville, Kentucky. The request indicated that 30 to 40 workers were possibly exposed to carbon-monoxide (630080) in areas of the facility where calcium-carbide was manufactured and handled. Results of personal exposure monitoring indicated carbon-monoxide levels of 9 to 82 parts per million (ppm) as full shift, time weighted averages. Several peaks above 200ppm were noted; acetylene interference was a factor in the high readings in some areas. Complaints from individual workers did not reveal any symptomatology which would be compatible with carbon-monoxide exposure. The author concludes that a health hazard was not found at the time of the evaluation, but there was a potential hazard for carbon-monoxide exposure during equipment failures or entry into confined spaces. The author provides recommendations concerning carbon-monoxide monitoring in the scrubber area, the crusher area, and the furnace area; engineering controls for dust, personal protective equipment and other inhalation hazards; and confined space entry.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6148695
• Report Number(s): PB-91-238121/XAB; HETA-91-009-2108
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CARBON MONOXIDE
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
KENTUCKY
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
INHALATION
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PERSONNEL
RECOMMENDATIONS
AIR POLLUTION
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
FEDERAL REGION IV
HAZARDS
INTAKE
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
USA
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology