Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 80-035-1635b, Bofors-Nobel/Lakeway Corporation, Muskegon, Michigan (revised)

Technical Report · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:6358125

Handke, J L; Lee, S A; Patnode, R

The International Chemical Workers Union requested an evaluation of dermatitis and reproductive system disorders among workers exposed to oryzalin, dichlorobenzidine (DCB), and benzidine at the Bofors-Nobel/Lakeway facility, Muskegon, Michigan. Exposure to DCB was measured from two personal breathing samples and the results ranged from not detectable to 6.5 micrograms/cubic meter mcg/cu m. Area samples for DCB were also taken. Surface-contamination samples revealed DCB on the packout locker-room surfaces and inside the operator's personal-protective equipment. Exposure to airborne oryzalin for six full-shift workers ranged from not detectable to 130mg/cu m, with a mean of 28mcg cu m. Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was detected in air at 70mcg/cu m and on surfaces at 6mcg/100 cm/sup 2/. Workers exposed to oryzalin reported no adverse reproductive effects. Of 36 workers exposed to DNCB, 19 had skin problems. Bladder cancer was documented in 10 workers with a mean time from first exposure to benzidine to diagnosis of 13.3 years. The authors conclude that a potential hazard existed from dichlorobenzidine exposure. The authors recommend improved housekeeping explanation of the medical-surveillance program to all workers, and continuation of the bladder cancer screening program.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6358125
• Report Number(s): PB-87-163200/XAB; HETA-80-035-1635
• 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
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
COAL TAR
DERMATITIS
DISEASES
DYES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRY
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
POLLUTION
SAFETY
SKIN DISEASES
TAR
TOXICITY