Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 87-339-1863, St. Francis-St. George Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio

Technical Report · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6774288

Boiano, J M

In response to a concern regarding lead exposure among health-care workers using lead-containing steam-sterilization indicators, an evaluation was made of exposures at the St. Francis-St. George Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio. Steam-sterilization indicators used at the hospital (Surgicot indicator strips and tape and Tomac test records) contained appreciable amounts of lead that might be released by contact or during sterilization procedures. Personal-breathing-zone, area air, and surface wipe samples were taken and analyzed for lead content. No lead was detected in ten personal and general area air samples at a limit of 1.6 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m/sup 3/), well below the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (50 microg/m/sup 3/). There was no evidence of elevated body burdens of lead in blood samples from nine technicians analyzed for lead and free-erythrocyte protoporphyrin. If the same lead-containing indicators are continued in use, no corrective action is needed. If other lead-containing steam sterilization indicators are put into service, testing should be done to determine if they pose a lead hazard to workers using them.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6774288
• Report Number(s): PB-88-224555/XAB; HETA-87-339-1863
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
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FEDERAL REGION V
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
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