Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 89-212-2020, Schlegel Tennessee, Inc., Maryville, Tennessee

摘要

In response to a request from the company, an investigation was made of possible hazardous conditions at the Schlegel Tennessee, Inc. (SIC-2822), Maryville, Tennessee. Concern had been expressed by union representatives about possible exposures to airborne nitrosamines, and the incidence of cancer in employees. The company produces rubber weather stripping for automobiles. Approximately 70 salaried and 200 production workers were employed by the company. Packers were experiencing dizziness, nausea, tingling lips, headaches, and depression. These problems had been attributed to odors in the workplace. Three employees had abnormal neurologic examinations and two other had reported abnormal urine iodine-azide tests. Current testing did not reveal any employees with 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic-acid (TTCA) in their urine, indicating that workers were not exposed to more than 0.5ppm carbon-disulfide (75150) (CS2). No personal breathing or area air sampling tests showed CS2 contamination above acceptable levels. No excess of reported cancers was noted following a standardized morbidity ratio analysis compared to the general population of the United States. Detectable levels of nitrosamines were not found. According to the authors, the etiology of medical problems experienced by workers could not be definitively determined. The authors recommend measures to lower potential hazardous exposures at the site.