Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 81-162-1935, Maui Land and Pineapple Inc., Kahuli, Hawaii

摘要

In response to a request, an evaluation was conducted of possible hazardous exposures to dibromochloropropane (96128) (DBCP) and resulting reproductive effects among workers at Maui Land and Pineapple Inc. (SIC-0139), Kahuli, Hawaii. Exposures to DBCP ranged from not detected to 618 parts per billion (ppb). Of the 80 samples taken, 21 exceeded the OSHA regulation of 1ppb as an 8 hour time weighted average. The highest exposures were recorded for the first shift planting machine driver whose exposure levels averaged 238 ppb, with part of his exposure arising due to a faulty valve on the machine. 1,3-Dichloropropane (142289) (DCP) was also added to the pineapple fields at a higher application rate than DBCP. Eight mulch machine operators were exposed to DCP over a range of 436 to 1964ppb, with an average exposure of 1019ppb. Of the 114 men examined, 74 were from potentially exposed job categories and 40 were from nonexposed categories. Neither the prevalence of oligospermia nor the mean difference in sperm count differed significantly when postseason samples were compared with preseason samples. Workers at the Haliimaile plantation had an average decrease in sperm count of 19.9 million sperm per milliliter compared to Honoloa workers who increased sperm count by 5.1 million sperm per milliliter. The author concludes that worker exposures to DBCP were in excess of the permissible exposure limit of 1ppb. The author recommends specific measures to reduce exposures to these chemicals.