Health Hazard Evaluation Report 72-38-19: Bata Shoe Company, Inc.: Belcamp, Maryland

A case of mercurialism in a shoe factory employee leads to a comprehensive search for mercury (7439976) vapor or source of mercury in all factory operations, but to no avail. Blood and urine analysis confirms poisoning by mercury. The environmental survey confirms that the source of mercury is not the shoe factory but probably a deep well in the worker's home. [Description provided by NIOSH]Original title is missing part of the report number \u2013 full number is shown in alternate titl

Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA-88-022-1926: Summitville Consolidated Mining Company, Inc.; Del Norte, Colorado

In response to a request from the Summitville Consolidated Mining Company, Inc. (SIC-1041), Del Norte, Colorado, an evaluation was made of cyanide (57125) exposures among heavy equipment operators working on a heap leaching pad at a surface gold mine. Several operators had experienced symptoms consistent with cyanide poisoning. This company was involved in gold and silver mining operations. Air samples for cyanide showed that the exposures for heavy equipment operators ranged from 0.004 to 0.02mg/m3. All results were below the NIOSH REL for cyanide. Area samples collected nearest the surface of the leach pad revealed concentrations of 0.09 and 0.06mg/m3 in samples collected in a low area where pools of the cyanide solution had accumulated. Ambient temperatures during the sampling were far colder than they had been during the time when the workers were taken ill. No health hazard from cyanide exposure could be documented at the time of the survey. The authors recommend: continued training for employees; that well trained medical personnel and cyanide emergency kits be available on site; monitoring operational factors; use of a continuous reading monitor in the bulldozer cab when contaminant concentrations may be high; equipping bulldozer cabs with emergency escape respirators; cautioning equipment operators not to leave their equipment cabs in the leach pad area without proper personal protective equipment; and good general housekeeping and personal hygiene practices

In-Depth Survey Report: Evaluation of Ventilation and Filtration System for LMDS and DPRC at United States Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center, Cincinnati, Ohio

Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted an evaluation of the Ventilation/Filtration System (VFS) developed for the United States Postal Service (USPS) mail processing equipment - the Loose Mail Distribution System (LMDS) and Dual Pass Rough Cull (DPRC). The VFS was developed and installed by a private contractor hired by the USPS to reduce the potential for employee exposure to harmful substances that could be contained in mail pieces processed by the equipment. NIOSH was asked to assist the USPS in evaluating controls for this and other mail processing equipment after the 2001 terrorist attacks that used the mail as a delivery system for anthrax. Evaluations were based on a variety of tests including tracer gas (TG) experiments, air velocity measurements and smoke release observations. All three tests were made to evaluate contaminant capture efficiency of the VFS at the New Universal "Dump Into" Hamper Dumper Hoods for the DPRC and showed that the system meets or exceeds minimum USPS contaminant capture requirements in this area. However, only TG experiments and smoke release observations were made at the New Universal "Dump Into" Hamper Dumper Hood for the LMDS since the final configuration of the VFS hood was not in place. It is recommended that a full analysis including smoke release observations, TG experimentation and air velocity measurements be made at the New Universal "Dump Into" Hamper Dumper Hood for the LMDS when the final configuration is implemented

Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA-87-262-1852: Artistic Awards; Colorado Springs, Colorado

In response to a request from Artistic Awards Co. (SIC-3499), Colorado Springs, Colorado, a study was made of possible exposure to lead (7439921) during lead medallion production. An elevated blood lead level had been found in one worker with symptoms of weakness and fatigue. Personal breathing zone air samples obtained from the areas of casting and engraving showed levels of 7.3 to 8.0 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3). Samples collected during grinding and buffing of lead medallions indicated lead concentration in the breathing zone of 1300 to 1900microg/m3. Each of four grinding and buffing stations was fitted with a well enclosed ventilation hood. At one station, the ductwork was clogged with buffing wheel material and ducts at the other three stations were disconnected inside the cabinets. Excessive levels of lead in the air resulted from a lack of local exhaust ventilation in this area. Workers in this room wore half face respirators; however, the respirator which was worn by the worker who had the elevated blood lead level failed to pass a fit test. After improvements had been made, the ventilation system was observed to be very effective. Lead exposures during buffing and grinding operations had been reduced to below the limit of detection, 6microg/m3. The author concludes that one worker has been overexposed to lead due to a poorly fitted respirator, and possibly to ingestion of lead deposited on food or drinks

Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA-85-171-1710: International Bakers Services, Inc.; South Bend, Indiana

In response to a request from International Bakers Services, Inc. (SIC-2099), South Bend, Indiana, a health hazard evaluation was conducted in the mixing room. At this location in the factory, three employees are charged with weighing and loading a large variety of fragrances, flavorings, starch, and 50-to-100-pound bags of flour into one of three mixers. Considerable dust is generated during the loading and mixing tasks. At times, this dust level has been measured at 20 milligrams per cubic meter. When material was added to the mixers, employees wore a supplied air respirator. Workers did not always use the respirator during clean-up operations. Catastrophic fixed airway disease developed in two workers who had no known personal risk factors prior to employment at the factory. The disease is suggestive of bronchiolitis obliterans or emphysema. The workers demonstrated symptoms of the disease within 5 to 6 months of beginning employment. Two other workers in the mixing room were not affected. No specific etiology of the illnesses was identified. The authors conclude that a short-term exposure to a specific mix may have triggered the reaction and initiated the disease in these individuals. They recommend that when a specific etiology for a disease cannot be found, all airborne dust exposures should be controlled in the mixing room. In cases where engineering or ventilation changes alone may not be sufficient, protective equipment in the form of a respirator should be worn. This report also contains the walk-through survey report made at the facility to study control technology employed in the manual transfer of chemical powders

Health Hazard Evaluation Report no. HHE-75-046: General Services Administration: Marion, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Indiana depots

Surveys were conducted at the General Services Administration (SIC- 4225) depots in Marion, Ohio and Fort Wayne, Indiana, on June 2 and 3, 1975. A total of 27 atmospheric samples were collected to determine the airborne concentrations of asbestos (1332214) fiber in various warehouses and during handling operations. Personal samples were taken to determine employee exposures, and area samples were collected to determine concentrations in warehouses with minimal activity. Samples collected in warehouses with little activity were below the limits of detection for asbestos. Vacuuming and repairing of asbestos filled bags were the most hazardous operations, with values above the proposed OSHA standard of two fibers per cubic centimeter. At the Marion depot, the checker's exposure was close to the proposed standard. Samples collected in the Fort Wayne depot were well below the standard. The authors recommend the use of protective clothing, respirators, and medical surveillance for all workers exposed to asbestos, with chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests to be performed every 2 years

Hepatitis C, chronic, Probable: (Week 50) Weekly cases* of notifiable diseases, United States, U.S. Territories, and Non-U.S. Residents week ending December 14, 2024

This data includes weekly cases of notifiable diseases, United States, U.S. Territories, and Non-U.S. Residents, specifically covering Hepatitis, viral infection: Hepatitis C, Chronic: Probable cases. The weekly data are considered provisional and collected locally due to state, territorial, and local regulations. Healthcare providers, medical labs, and other entities report conditions to public health departments, varying by jurisdiction. Case notifications for national notifiable conditions are voluntarily submitted to CDC. NNDSS data are provisional and subject to change until reconciled with state and territorial providers. Weekly cumulative counts may increase or decrease as updates occur. Finalized annual data often differ from provisional counts. CDC aggregates data for national notifiable diseases and conditions on a weekly and annual basis. To see specific surveillance Case Definitions for this disease, go to: https://ndc.services.cdc.gov

Technical assistance report no. TA-80-14: Federal Government Park Building: Rockville, Maryland

A walk through survey of the third floor, laboratories, and roof of the Federal Government Park Building (SIC-8922) in Rockville, Maryland was conducted on November 30, 1979, to investigate the cause of complaints of headaches, nausea, sore throats, and eye irritations among employees of the Office of Health Maintenance Organizations (OHMO). The survey was requested by the Office of Resource Management. The OHMO was located on the floor below the laboratories, and complaints of unpleasant odors often coincided with the operation of the laboratory autoclaves. The health complaints sometimes occurred when the odors were not present. OHMO temperature control was erratic, and air movement was insufficient in some offices. Inspection of the building roof revealed an inoperative exhaust fan, which may have been connected to the laboratory autoclaves. A wide variety of toxic substances were used in the laboratories, and there was a substantial exposure potential. The authors conclude that a safety and health surveillance program is needed at this facility. Interlaboratory cooperation is required to establish clear lines of health and safety responsibility for the entire laboratory area. The building ventilation system should be redesigned to provide adequate supply and exhaust air

Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA-88-328-1961: United States Army Corps of Engineers; Arlington, Virginia

In response to a request for technical assistance from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (SIC-9999), Arlington, Virginia, a study was made of possible hazardous working conditions at Fort Myer, Fort McNair, and Cameron Station, located in the Washington, D.C. area. These three sites each had polychlorinated-biphenyl (1336363) (PCB) containing transformers. Maintenance workers visually inspected these transformers for leakage and manually felt around the gauges and valves for leaking oil. The employees did not repair the leaks, only report then to the supervisor. No detectable PCBs were noted in seven personal breathing zone samples. Area air samples for PCBs ranged in concentration from not detectable to 4.8 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3). Surface wipe samples ranged from not detectable to heavy contamination levels. Many of the transformers were leaking material suspected as containing PCBs. The author concludes that although breathing zone samples did not contain detectable concentrations of PCB, there was a potential for exposure to PCB contaminated surfaces. The author recommends that areas having heavy PCB surface contamination be cleaned up, that employees responsible for conducting clean up procedures wear appropriate personal protective clothing, that additional surface samples be taken following clean up to determine the effectiveness of the procedure, and that employees conduct quarterly inspections of the transformer vaults wearing protective gloves during the checking for leaks

Mining technical assistance report no. MTA-81-102: Monongalia County Emergency Medical Services: Morgantown, WV; and King Knob Coal Company; Morgantown, West Virginia

Environmental exposures to toxic gases were monitored after a tanker truck carrying ammonium-nitrate (6484522) and fuel-oil ignited near (SIC-8062) Morgantown, West Virginia on December 9, 1980. The surrounding area was evacuated and road blocks established to protect persons from possible exposure to toxic gases. The chemical contents of the truck were allowed to burn off. Air quality measurements for nitrogen-dioxide (10102440) and carbon-monoxide (630080) indicated that the surrounding area was free of toxic gases and the area was reopened to the public approximately five hours after the start of the fire