Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 85-441-1765, New Boston Coke Corporation, New Boston, Ohio

Technical Report · Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6457253

O'Malley, M A

In response to a request from the Industrial Commission of Ohio, worker complaints of skin disease at the New Boston Coke Corporation, New Boston, Ohio were investigated. The request was based on seven reports of dermatitis thought to be associated with steam exposure during coke quenching. Quench water had a pH of 8.85 and contained phenol, ammonia, calcium-oxide, and suspended particulates (82% organic compounds); no irritant threshold levels were found for these compounds. Skin tests in rabbits showed a minimal irritant capacity for quench water. Medical records did not reveal the origin of dermatitis. Active skin lesions were characterized as nummular eczema or atopic dermatitis, which were not thought to be of occupational origin. The author concludes that coke-quenching steam does not pose a skin hazard, but certain work activities may aggravate existing skin conditions. Recommendations include elimination of abrasive cleansing agents, use of skin moisturizers after washing, and prompt medical evaluation of skin complaints.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6457253
• Report Number(s): PB-87-188538/XAB; HETA-85-441-1765
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
COKING PLANTS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
WASTE WATER
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
HEALTH HAZARDS
AMMONIA
BLAST FURNACES
CALCIUM OXIDES
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
PHENOL
SKIN DISEASES
TOXICITY
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
AROMATICS
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
DISEASES
FURNACES
HAZARDS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LIQUID WASTES
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHENOLS
SAFETY
WASTES
WATER
010500* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Products & By-Products
010900 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects