Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 84-289-1798, Kirby Manufacturing Company, Inc. , McClure, Pennsylvania

Technical Report · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5609362

Crandall, M S; Singal, M

In response to a request from an employer representative, an evaluation was made of the Kirby Manufacturing Company located in McClure, Pennsylvania concerning possible exposure to formaldehyde from the resin used to give a wrinkle-resistant property to textiles. Full-shift breathing-zone and general-air-monitoring samplings were performed. In 14 samples the personal exposure to formaldehyde ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 parts per million (ppm) with an average of 1.0 ppm. A questionnaire regarding symptoms was completed by 100 workers. Symptoms reported to be occurring more frequently of late included sneezing, nasal irritation, headache, eye irritation, throat irritation, and coughing. As these symptoms were connected with formaldehyde exposures, the authors conclude that overexposure to formaldehyde was occurring at the facility. The authors recommend that a specialist in industrial ventilation systems be consulted to prepare specifications for a dilution ventilation system for the facility. Using the new system, indoor air containing formaldehyde vapor would not be recirculated. Fabrics containing formaldehyde should be aired before further treatment or use.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5609362
• Report Number(s): PB-88-126149/XAB; HETA-84-289-1798
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
FORMALDEHYDE
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
RESINS
TEXTILE INDUSTRY
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
TOXICITY
VENTILATION
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
INDUSTRY
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION
POLYMERS
SAFETY
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health