Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 81-335-1566, Union Carbide Caribe, Penuelas, Puerto Rico

Technical Report · Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:5432643

Wilcox, T; Lee, S

Environmental and breathing-zone samples were analyzed for benzene, hydrazine, morpholine, cyclohexylamine, carbon black, and other organic solvents at Union Carbide Caribe in Penuelas, Puerto Rico in July, 1981 and October, 1983. The evaluation was requested by the union out of concern for possible benzene exposures, especially in the Employee Relations building, where it was feared that benzene-contaminated groundwater might be entering the building. Eleven employees were interviewed. Breathing-zone samples contained 0.03 to 0.10 mg/m/sup 3/ benzene. The OSHA standard for benzene is 32 mg/m/sup 3/. Benzene concentrations above a sewer opening and in a condemned men's room in the Employee Relations building were 134 mg/m/sup 3/ and 126 mg/m/sup 3/, respectively. Area air benzene concentrations in the building ranged from 0.1 to 1.1 mg/m/sup 3/. Concentrations of the other chemicals were below their relevant standards. Symptoms such as muccus membrane irritation, chest discomfort, low back pain, anxiety or nervousness, and skin rash were reported. The authors conclude that a potential for excessive exposure to benzene exists in the Employees Relations building. Recommendations include implementing a respiratory fit testing program and continued evaluation of the Employees Relation building benzene contamination problem.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5432643
• Report Number(s): PB-86-203486/XAB; HETA-81-335-1566
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
BENZENE
AIR POLLUTION
WATER POLLUTION
GROUND WATER
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
CARBON BLACK
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
MORPHOLINES
TOXICITY
AMINES
AROMATICS
CARBON
ELEMENTS
ETHERS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SAFETY
WATER
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health