Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA-82-146-1388: Boeing Vertol Company; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Details

• Personal Author:
  Chrostek, Walter J. ; Liss, Gary M.
• Corporate Authors:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Description:
  Worker exposures to epoxy resins, curing agents, and other chemicals were investigated in April, June, July, and September, 1982, and May 1983 at Boeing Vertol Company (SIC-3728) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The evaluation was requested by Local 1069, United Auto Workers, on behalf of about 4600 workers concerned about skin problems and a potential cancer risk. Air samples were collected for dust, methylenedianiline (101779) (MDA), ethylenediamine (107153) (EDA), methyl-isobutyl-ketone (108101) (MBK), toluene (108883), cyclohexanone (108941), and butyl-glycidyl-ether (2426086) (BGE). Medical interviews were conducted with 20 exposed and 20 unexposed workers, and skin examinations were completed. A proportional mortality ratio study for cancer was also completed for workers who died between 1968 and 1980. Concentrations of BGE, dust, MBK, and toluene were below respective OSHA standards of 270, 15, 410, and 750 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). No EDA or cyclohexanone was detected. MDA concentrations ranged up to Hygienists Threshold Limit Value of 0.8mg/m3. Twice as many exposed as unexposed workers reported skin problems such as redness, itching, and cracking. The problems were reportedly exacerbated by hot weather and continued use of epoxy materials. An excess rate of cancer of the bladder was identified for workers exposed to epoxy resins and amine hardeners. The authors conclude that exposures to epoxy resins and amine hardeners present a health risk for skin problems. MDA is a suspected carcinogen and may be responsible for the high incidence of bladder cancer. The authors recommend improved ventilation, use of protective clothing and equipment, and further evaluation of the MDA cancer association.
• Subjects:
  Dermatitis Engineering Hazardous Substances Neoplasms Occupational Health Safety Skin
• Keywords:
  Aircraft Parts And Auxiliary Equipment, Not Elsewhere Classified Amine Hardeners Bladder Cancer Cancer Curing Agents Dermatitis Epoxy Resins Hazards-Confirmed HETA-82-146-1388 Industrial-chemicals Methylenedianiline NIOSH-Author NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report OSHA Region 3 Skin-irritants Toxic-vapors

  More +
• Series:
  Health Hazard Evaluation Reports (HHE)
• Subseries:
  Health Evaluation and Technical Assistance (HETA)
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHHETA821461388
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Field Study
• Place as Subject:
  Pennsylvania ; OSHA Region 3
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  31 pdf pages
• Contributor:
  Rinsky, Robert A.
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00137705
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB85-179323
• Citation:
  Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 82-146-1388, 1983 Nov ; :1-28
• CAS Registry Number:
  4,4'-Methylenedianiline (CAS RN 101-77-9) ; Ethylenediamine (CAS RN 107-15-3) ; Methyl isobutyl ketone (CAS RN 108-10-1) ; Toluene (CAS RN 108-88-3) ; Cyclohexanone (CAS RN 108-94-1) ; n-Butyl glycidyl ether (CAS RN 2426-08-6)
• Editor(s):
  Harris, Stephanie M.
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1984
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  3728 - Aircraft parts and equipment, not elsewhere classified - (SIC)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:1996fb5fead8c00affb04ff3bfb435548a849b102142ef4883891fd6d46c292fd632d00b1fbd09c65356ccd3d5f7bb7bbc59f278ebf96838535d831bc3423f8c
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/172816/cdc_172816_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 6.41 MB ]