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U.S. Department of Energy
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Health-hazard evaluation report HETA-87-268-1900, Bestop, Inc. , Longmont, Colorado

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6588055

In response to a request from the management of Bestop, Inc., Longmont, Colorado, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous conditions at the facility due to exposure to urethane polyester powder coating, painted on automotive metal accessory parts using an electrostatic spray-application method. Full shift personal breathing zone and area air samples indicated the range for nuisance dust to be 1.42 to 12.21mg/cu m and 0.09 to 1.27mg/cu m, respectively. Airborne concentrations of caprolactam dust, caprolactam vapor, and isocyanates were all below existing criteria. The complaints and symptoms of the workers included eye irritation, skin irritation, and respiratory-system difficulties, related to the excessive amounts of nuisance dust. The author concludes that at the time of the survey, there was a health hazard from exposure to nuisance dust. The author recommends specific measures be taken to reduce worker exposures to nuisance dust. Recommendations concern respiratory use, use of cooling air, possible heat stress, personal protective clothing, personal hygiene, equipment inspection, and medical surveillance.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA). Div. of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation and Field Studies
OSTI ID:
6588055
Report Number(s):
PB-89-107825/XAB; HETA-87-268-1900
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English