Health hazard evaluation report HETA 90-0329-2482, New York City Department of Sanitation, New York, New York

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:76332

Kinnes, G M; Hanley, K W; Krake, A M

In response to a joint request from the New York City Department of Sanitation and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, an investigation was begun into possible exposures to polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) at three waste incineration sites of the New York City Department of Sanitation (SIC-4953), New York City, New York. Six area air samples and five bulk fly ash samples were collected. Greater amounts of PCDDs/PCDFs were present on the fly ash particulates collected from the electrostatic precipitator (ESP). A total of eight personal breathing zone and nine area samples were collected for metals during cleanout operations. Levels approached or exceeded the established criteria for arsenic (7440382), cadmium (7440439), lead (7439921), and nickel (7440020). For respirable dust/silica (14808607), the highest sample concentration occurred during ESP cleanout. The NIOSH recommended exposure limit for respirable quartz of 0.05 mg/m3 was exceeded in one sample. The authors conclude that a health hazard existed during cleanout operations. The authors recommend that measures be taken to reduce exposures, including providing more effective respiratory protection, instruction on confined space entry, medical surveillance programs, and the prohibition of tobacco smoking in exposure locations.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
• OSTI ID: 76332
• Report Number(s): PB--95-220182/XAB; HETA--90-0329-2482
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ARSENIC
CADMIUM
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INCINERATORS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
LEAD
MONITORING
MUNICIPAL WASTES
NICKEL
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
RECOMMENDATIONS
SILICA