Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 84-060-1645, General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio

摘要

Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for arsenic (7440382), other metals, arsine (7784421), and carbon-monoxide (630080) at General Motors Corporation, Delco Moraine Division (SIC-3714), South Facility, Dayton, Ohio in January and February, 1984. The evaluation was requested because of two arsenic poisoning cases that occurred in department 48. All department 48 employees were surveyed by questionnaire. Urine arsenic concentrations were measured. Only 1 of 68 air samples contained arsenic, 3.3 micrograms per cubic meter (microg/m3). The OSHA standard for arsenic is 10microg/m3. Arsenic was not detected in any bulk samples. Nickel (7440020) and barium (7440393) were detected at concentrations of 17 7 to 1,280 and 502 to 678microg/m3, respectively. The OSHA standard for either metal is 500microg/m3. One copper (7440508) sample. 5,700microg/m3, exceeded the OSHA standard of 1,000microg/m3. Carbon-monoxide and arsine concentrations were below their relevant standards. No workers had symptoms of arsenic poisoning. Urine arsenic concentrations were within normal limits. The authors conclude that employees are not being exposed to detectable amounts of arsenic. The source of the arsenic poisoning cannot be determined. Employees are overexposed to nickel, barium, and copper. Recommendations include improving employee training and education regarding respiratory protection and reducing employee exposures to nickel and barium.