Characterization of particulates and lead in a brass foundry using a close capture exhaust system.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Jacko RB ; Overmyer RC
• Description:
  The levels of lead (7439921) (Pb) in the air of a brass foundry (SIC- 3366) which was equipped with Hawley ventilation systems used in the control of fumes emitted during the operation of furnaces, transport of hot metal, and the pouring of an alloy containing 5 percent Pb, were characterized. Eight hour personal air samples were obtained for all worker categories, and area samples were taken at fixed locations in the foundry. Particle size samples were analyzed gravimetrically for both total particulates and Pb. Depending on the work task involved, personal sampling revealed exposure levels of Pb ranging from 57 to 173 micrograms per cubic meter of air, with an average personal concentration of 110 micrograms per cubic meter. Area samples revealed concentrations ranging from 71.6 to 98.0 micrograms per cubic meter, with an average of 82.1 micrograms per cubic meter. Aerodynamic particle size distribution studies showed a mass median diameter of 9 microns; a sharp increase in the concentration of Pb was evident below the 2 micron and above the 3 to 43 micron diameter range. Total suspended particulate exposures ranged from 1.05 to 5.36mg/m3, averaging 2.64mg/m3; area sampling levels were 2.53 to 3.23mg/m3, average 2.77mg/m3. The pourer's helper task received the highest exposures for both agents. The authors conclude that a close capture exhaust system is relatively effective in reducing total suspended particulates and Pb concentrations in the brass foundry studied. They caution that conditions may differ in other brass foundries.
• Subjects:
  Accidents, Occupational Age Factors Automobiles Demography Mining Mortality Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Occupational Injuries Safety
• Keywords:
  Air-quality-measurement Dust-control Exhaust-ventilation Foundry-workers Heavy-metals Metal-dusts NIOSH-Contract Particulate-dust
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Conference/Symposia Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  Illinois ; 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:
  204-221
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00175067
• Citation:
  Proceedings of the symposium on occupational health hazard control technology in the foundry and secondary non-ferrous smelting industries, December 10-12, 1979, Chicago, Illinois. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 81-114, 1981 Aug; :204-221
• CAS Registry Number:
  Lead (CAS RN 7439-92-1)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1981
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  3366 - Copper foundries - (SIC)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:5171ae889219f6686145b777845330c2227198703519b6b96d347068910e6b673a06f00cfb87a17e608597dfc45de0124eb31942c5a895881247f6225a89e0a6
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/180033/cdc_180033_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.44 MB ]