27 research outputs found
Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA-90-344-2159: A.W. Cash Valve Manufacturing Corporation; Decatur, Illinois
No full textIn response to a request from a management representative of A.W. Cash Valve Manufacturing Corp (SIC-3491), Decatur, Illinois, a study was undertaken of airborne concentrations of trichloroethylene (79016) (TCE). This company manufactured precision brass and stainless steel valves. After milling and lathing operations, the valve parts were degreased in an open top vapor degreaser using TCE. NIOSH has recommended that exposure to TCE be controlled to the lowest feasible level. Seven full shift samples were collected for TCE. Five of these were area samples and two were personal breathing zone (PBZ) samples from the degreaser operator. These two full shift PBZ samples contained 5.2 and 4.5 parts per million (ppm). Five full shift area samples ranged from 1.1 to 5.3ppm. While this was below the limit of 25ppm proposed in a 1978 NIOSH Technical Report based on engineering controls available at that time, newer controls have shown that exposures can be reduced to far lower levels. The author concludes that there was a potential health hazard from short term exposures to TCE. The author recommends that personal protective equipment and ventilation controls be used to limit exposure
Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA-92-0117-2388: Rubbermaid, Inc.; Reynolds, Indiana
No full textIn response to a request from a management representative of Rubbermaid, Inc. (SIC-3089), a study was begun of possible exposures to airborne formaldehyde (50000), and total and respirable dust at the Reynolds, Indiana facility. The facility employed about 150 persons in the manufacture of thermoset plastic cookware products. In the Compounding Department, melamine/formaldehyde powder was compressed into small pellets which were transported to the Press Department and molded into the desired shape. Pieces were then sent to the Product Process Department where parts were trimmed and packaged. There was no local exhaust system for the presses. Personal breathing zone airborne formaldehyde concentrations ranged from 0.52 to 1.75 parts per million (ppm) for nine press operators. Seven exceeded the Permissible Exposure Level of 0.75ppm. Area samples for formaldehyde ranged from 0.23 to 1.98ppm. Total dust concentrations in the Bipel booth were 2.25 and 2.47mg/m3 and respirable dust concentrations were 0.69 and 0.56mg/m3. The booth effectively contained the dust generated during that operation. Very low quantities of toluene (108883), styrene (100425), isopropanol (67630), and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556) were detected. The author concludes that a health hazard for press operators existed from formaldehyde exposures. The author recommends that engineering controls be used to reduce formaldehyde exposure
Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA-91-0394-2435: Patio Enclosures, Inc.; Macedonia, Ohio
No full textIn response to a request from a management representative of Patio Enclosures, Inc. (SIC-3442), Macedonia, Ohio, an environmental survey was conducted in the 700 and 720 office buildings of Patio Enclosures. Personnel working at the site had complained of eye problems, burning of the throat, and sinus problems. Patio Enclosures consisted of a large manufacturing area with two story office areas at the east and west ends. Average temperatures in the office ranged from 69.2 to 74.9 degrees-F during the morning and from 69.1 to 75.3 degrees in the afternoon. Average relative humidity ranged from 15.0 to 21.2% during the morning and 18.0 to 23.3% in the afternoon. Average carbon-dioxide (124389) concentrations ranged from 375 to 850 parts per million (ppm) in the morning and 500 to 850ppm in the afternoon. Visible microbial growth was present in some of the air handling unit drip pans. Analysis revealed several species such as Penicillium, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, yeasts, Ulocladium, and Fusarium. Smoking was permitted in the private offices which then circulated to other areas served by the same units. The author concludes that a potential health hazard existed due to the recirculation of environmental tobacco smoke throughout the offices. Microbial growth in the ventilation system could be aerosolized and distributed throughout the building. The author recommends that a no smoking policy be established, and cooling coil condensate pans and drains be cleaned
Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA-92-024-2285: Legi-Slate\uae; Washington, D.C.
No full textIn response to a request from employees of Legi-Slate\uae (SIC-8999), Washington, DC, an evaluation was undertaken of possible hazardous working conditions at the site. The company tracked and analyzed federal legislation to compile an indexed database of legislative action. The company occupied most of one floor in a ten-story office building. Employees had complained of headaches, fatigue, eye irritation, and nausea. At the time of the survey, the average temperatures were in excess of those recommended for workers and the average relative humidity was less. Carbon-dioxide (124389) levels were well below the recommended maximum limits. Visible microbial growth was noted on the cooling coils and in the condensate drip pans below the coils of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The author concludes that although there were no health hazards discovered at this site, the environmental conditions were not sufficient to meet thermal comfort recommendations at the time the survey was made. The author recommends that cooling coils and condensate drip pans be inspected on a regular basis and kept free of visible microbial growth. An effort should be made to keep the temperature and humidity levels within proper limits
Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA 93\u20131082\u20132567: Imi Cash Valve, Inc., Decatur, Illinois
No full textIn response to a request from the management at IMI Cash Valve, Inc. (SIC-3822), Decatur, Illinois, an evaluation was begun into possible exposure to caprolactam (105602) in the powder coating room, paraffinic petroleum oil at the thermostat testing process, and welding fumes from an automatic welding machine in the assembly area. The company manufactured precision brass and stainless-steel valves, and thermostats for water heatersfor this study, the area of concern was the manufacture, testing, coating, and welding of thermostats. Of all the personal and area breathing zone air samples collected, none revealed any concentrations which would be in excess of the approved levels. The author concludes that a health hazard did not exist at the time of the survey. The author recommends that the operator of the thermostat testing process wear nitrile rubber glove, that housekeeping practices be improved in the powder coating room, and that local exhaust equipment at powder coating and thermostat testing operations should be inspected and cleaned or repaired as needed
Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA 89-0026-2495: Hamilton Fire Department, Hamilton, Ohio
No full textIn response to a request from the Deputy Chief for Operations and Administration, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous noise exposures conditions faced by members of the Hamilton Fire Department (SIC-9224), Hamilton, Ohio during their work activities. Six fire stations were maintained throughout the city, manned by approximately 100 fire fighters. Noise surveys were conducted which indicated that the 24-hour cumulative noise doses were generally less than the amount allowed under any of the environmental evaluation criteria used by NIOSH. However, portions of the analyses indicated that there were noise levels that greatly exceeded the exposure limits for brief periods of time. These were usually associated with emergency response runs of the fire vehicles. Analysis of the audiometric data collected for 90 of the firemen indicated a decline in hearing ability in the high frequency sound region, characteristic of noise induced hearing loss. The author concludes that a health hazard existed for fire fighters. The author recommends that measures be taken to reduce the noise exposure to the fire fighters and help prevent any further loss of hearing
Optical assay for biotechnology and clinical diagnosis
No full textIn this paper, we present an optical diagnostic assay consisting of a mixture of environmental-sensitive fluorescent dyes combined with multivariate data analysis for quantitative and qualitative examination of biological and clinical samples. The performance of the assay is based on the analysis of spectrum of the selected fluorescent dyes with the operational principle similar to electronic nose and electronic tongue systems. This approach has been successfully applied for monitoring of growing cell cultures and identification of gastrointestinal diseases in humans.IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineerin
Correction to: Toward a comprehensive view of cancer immune responsiveness: A synopsis from the SITC workshop (Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (2020) 7 (131) DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0602-4)
No full textFollowing publication of the original article [1], the author reported that an author name, Roberta Zappasodi, was missed in the authorship list. The correction has been implemented in the original article as well. The publisher apologized for any inconvenience this might has caused
Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA 94\u20130072\u20132648: Gen Corp Automotive, Marion, Indiana
No full textIn response to a request from the United Rubber Workers Union, Local 466, an investigation was conducted at Gen Corp Automotive (SIC- 3061), Marion, Indiana. The Union expressed concern regarding employee exposures in all three departments at the facility, the rubber vehicle sealing area, the mix house, and the liquid composite molding area. On site sample collection was performed along with medical interviews, informal conversations with employees, and a review of records. High nitrosamine concentrations were measured in the vehicle sealing department. Concentration of nitrosamines were as high as 16.34 micrograms/cubic meter. A salt bath curing process was generating the nitrosamines, and a combination of insufficient local exhaust ventilation and exhaust reentering the work area was contributing to the buildup. No overexposures were noted for other compounds such as volatile organics and aromatic hydrocarbons. DNA adducts in peripheral white blood cells and excised DNA adducts in the urine were studied. A significant correlation was noted between having detectable concentrations of O6-methyldeoxyguanosine adducts in peripheral white blood cells, and the negative correlation between nitrosamine exposure and O6-alkylguanine-DNA- alkyltransferase activity. The author concludes that there was a health hazard from the presence of nitrosamines in this workplace and recommended steps including elimination of the source by reformulation of the rubber stock or redesign of the curing process
Correction to: Toward a comprehensive view of cancer immune responsiveness: a synopsis from the SITC workshop
No full textFollowing publication of the original article [1], the author reported that an author name, Roberta Zappasodi, was missed in the authorship list
