Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 85-107-1841, General Electric Company, Schenectady, New York

Technical Report · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:7072625

Gorman, R; Rinsky, R; Moseley, C

In response to a request from the International Union of Electrical Workers, employee exposure to chemicals and possible work-related illnesses and deaths were examined in the wind stand area of Building 273 of the General Electric facility, Schenectady, New York. In the area of the facility, epoxy-resin coatings were applied to surfaces of large steam-turbine-generator stators twice a year. Review of records and interviews of 19 employees neither supported nor refuted claims of work-related disease or death. It was noted that a large number of chemicals were present in the area and that there was poor product labelling on containers. Air samples taken during application of epoxy resin coatings did not reveal the presence of components such as bisphenol-A and its diglycidyl-ether, epichlorohydrin, or organic vapors, with the exception of Propasol-Solvent-P which contained propoxypropanol isomers. Air samples of the last compound ranged from 7.4 to 31.0mg/cu m in each of four breathing-zone samples. The chemical was reported to be an irritant and central nervous system depressant, but no exposure limit had been set. The authors conclude that no health hazard exists. They recommend that antifogging chemical splash goggles be worn during the epoxy process in addition to other protective gear already in use. Close monitoring is recommended, particularly in winter when ventilation would be poor. Employees should be encouraged to report illnesses to the company medical director.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7072625
• Report Number(s): PB-88-188396/XAB; HETA-85-107-1841
• 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
CLOTHING
ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY
EPOXIDES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INDUSTRY
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
MONITORING
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
ORGANIC SOLVENTS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION
POLYMERS
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
RESINS
SOLVENTS
TOXICITY
VENTILATION