Health-hazard evaluation determination report No. 78-26-560, Mallory Battery Company, Lexington, North Carolina

Technical Report · Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:6155247

Airborne concentrations of inorganic mercury were measured at the Mallory Battery Co., in Lexington, NC on January 10 and February 13-15, 1978. The evaluation was requested by the employer for approximately 100 employees. A medical questionnaire and physical examination were administered. Mercury exposure ranged from 0.07 to 2.25 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/cu m) with all but 2 of 42 questionnaire responses showed several symptoms (irritability, backache, and muscle twitch) that occurred more frequently than in a control group not exposed to mercury. A significant difference was found between the higher rate of miscarriages among employees and the lower rate (0%) of a control group. Analysis of semen from employees showed no harmful effects due to mercury. There was evidence of mercury absorption as indicated by elevated urine mercury concentrations. The investigators conclude that there was a significant mercury exposure to employees at the facility. The investigators recommend that-positive pressure respirators or self-contained breathing apparatus be supplied to employees until engineering controls are installed to reduce mercury exposure. A written respirator program should be developed, hazards should be pointed out, employee exposure monitored, spills quickly and thoroughly cleaned up, and periodic physical examinations and biological monitoring should be continued.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6155247
• Report Number(s): PB-89-143184/XAB; HHE-78-026-560
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
MERCURY
PARTICULATES
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
RECOMMENDATIONS
TOXICITY
AIR POLLUTION
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELEMENTS
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
METALS
PARTICLES
POLLUTION
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health