In-depth survey report: control technology for new plastics processes at Herman Miller Company, Holland, Michigan.

Details

• Personal Author:
  O'Brien, Dennis M. ; Todd WF
• Description:
  An indepth survey of control technology for reducing exposures to isocyanates at Herman Miller Company (SIC-2522), Holland, Michigan was conducted in May, 1984. Area and personal air samples were analyzed for toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (584849) (TDI), methylene-bis- phenylisocyanate (101688) (MDI), and total isocyanates. Engineering controls consisted of local exhaust ventilation of the foam fill booth, crush and glue table, and injection molding machine, isolation of pumps and mix tanks for the foam cushion line, and monitoring of TDI vapor in the foam fill booth and pump room. All but one TDI sample were below the limits of detection. TDI at a concentration of 20.5 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3) was found in a sample obtained in the pump room. The OSHA standard for TDI is 0.02 parts per million. TDI was detected in a personal sample, but could not be quantitated. No MDI was detected in any sample. Total isocyanates were detected in two samples, 92 and 99microg/m3, obtained in the foam filling and molding operations. There is no Federal standard for total isocyanates. The authors conclude that there is a potential hazard due to isocyanates in the foam filling process. Recommendations include improving ventilation and installing airless foam filling systems.
• Subjects:
  Accidents, Occupational Acoustics Noise Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Control-methods Control-technology Exposure-levels Exposure-limits Field-Study Health-protection NIOSH-Author NIOSH-Survey Plastics-industry Protective-measures Region-5 Toxic-vapors

  More +
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHECTB14814b
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Field Studies ; Control Technology
• Place as Subject:
  Michigan ; Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DPSE - Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-11
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00145155
• 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, ECTB 148-14b, 1984 Aug; :1-11
• CAS Registry Number:
  Toluene 2,4-diisocyanate (CAS RN 584-84-9) ; Diphenylmethane diisocyanate (CAS RN 101-68-8)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1984
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  2522 - Office furniture, except wood - (SIC)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:51dadc2869cc0a8e28699c3fb559ec9ba6adfcbcf55c067b79b7199b0c3b741aa80245a73c5990fa5b3ce21e2f5262f89bb05f1ad869434cd63b9d60e44b7641
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/179711/cdc_179711_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 277.13 KB ]