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Title: Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 85-046-1763, American Crystal Sugar Company, East Grand Forks, Minnesota

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6149316

Following a request from the American Federation of Grain Millers International Union and management of the American Crystal Sugar Company (ACSCO), employee exposures to airborne contaminants during beet processing and welding fumes during facility maintenance were determined at a sugar beet mill owned by ACSCO. Exposures in excess of the most stringent criteria were found for calcium oxide and calcium carbonate in lime kiln workers, sugar dust in sugar bin workers, insoluble hexavalent chromium and nickel during welding, total welding fumes in one case, and nickel during a metal coating spray process. Quartz was found in several settled dust samples and high volume air samples. Nickel and chromium exposure presented potential cancer risks. The authors conclude that workers were overexposed to calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, sugar dust, total welding fumes, hexavalent chromium, and nickel at this facility. Recommendations include particulate containment, ventilation, and respiratory protection where appropriate.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
OSTI ID:
6149316
Report Number(s):
PB-87-189460/XAB; HETA-85-046-1763
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English