Health-hazard-evaluation report HETA 89-199-2033, Enseco, Inc. , Rocky Mountain Analytical Laboratory, Arvada, Colorado
In response to a request from the management of Enseco, Inc., concerning the Rocky Mountain Analytical Laboratory located in Arvada, Colorado, a health hazard evaluation was made regarding possible worker exposures to solvents, including methylene-chloride, hexane, ethyl-ether, acetone, and diazomethane. These chemicals were used in the preparation of soil and water samples for analysis. The Organic Preparation Lab was 6500 square feet in size and consisted of various areas including soils, water, sample storage, standards preparation and extract handling. The primary operation at the site was the extraction and preparation of soil and water samples for chemical analysis. The time weighted average personal breathing zone samples for methylene-chloride ranged from 0.8 to 8.5 parts per million (ppm). The short term personal samples averaged 33ppm for a ten minute task to 286ppm for a 24 minute job. All hoods were operating within guidelines when the sashes were kept closed to the half way level. The exhaust vent on the flammable solvent cabinet was plugged by lint and dust. The author concludes that a potential health hazard existed from employee exposure to methylene-chloride in excess of 1.0ppm. The author recommends specific measures to lower the methylene-chloride levels and improve overall ventilation in the lab.
- Research Organization:
- National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6405872
- Report Number(s):
- PB-91-117226/XAB; HETA--89-199-2033
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACETONE
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ALKANES
COLORADO
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ETHERS
ETHYL ETHER
FEDERAL REGION VIII
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEXANE
HYDROCARBONS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
KETONES
METHYLENE CHLORIDE
NORTH AMERICA
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SOLVENTS
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
SAMPLE PREPARATION
SOLVENTS
USA
VENTILATION