Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 85-518-1737, LCI Excelon Products, Inc., Woodland, Washington

摘要

Possible exposure to solvent vapors during the making of graphite fishing rods was investigated at the LCI Excelon facility (SIC-3949), Woodland, Washington in response to a request from the management. Acetone (67641) and xylene (1330207) vapor exposure levels ranged from 1 to 50 percent of the recommended limits of 250 parts per million (ppm) for acetone and 100ppm of xylene. Headaches and dizzines were reported by workers exposed to the solvent vapors. Exposure to 2-ethoxyethyl-acetate (111159) and 2-ethoxyethanol (110805) was 92 percent of the recommended ACGIH levels of 5ppm for each. Even so, the evidence for reproductive effects of 2-ethoxyethanol makes this an undesirable exposure condition. Exposure to n-butyl-alcohol (71363) and methyl-ethyl-ketone (78933) were also determined. The authors recommend eliminating the use of materials containing 2-ethoxyethanol or 2-ethoxyethyl-acetate, providing local exhaust ventilation, reducing the temperature of the iron used for tacking, labelling solvent containers, and using only safety cans and plunger cans for transferring and dispensing solvents.