Health Hazard Evaluation Report MHETA 89-009-1990, Consolidation Coal Company, Humphrey No. 7 Mine, Pentress, West Virginia

摘要

An evaluation was made of worker exposure to hydraulic fluid used on the longwall mining operations at Consolidated Coal Company's Humphrey Number 7 Mine (SIC-1111), Pentress, West Virginia. Employees were complaining of headache, eye and throat irritation, congestion, and cough. A particular emulsion oil, Solcenic-3A, was used with water in the mine's hydraulic roof support system. An analysis of the oil indicated the presence of methyl-isobutyl-carbinol (108112) (MIBC), dipropylene-glycol (110985) and paraffin hydrocarbons. Personal breathing zone samples for MIBC were collected from all workers on the longwall mining operation during the two days of the visit. All the analysis indicated concentrations of MIBC below the limit of quantification, which was 0.6 parts per million for an 8 hour sample. These levels were well below the exposure recommendations of the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Exposure to MIBC may be occurring through skin contact with oil through hydraulic line leaks, accidents, and maintenance activity on the hydraulic machines. The report concludes that Solcenic-3A oil constituents in air did not pose a health hazard at the time of the survey.