Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 83-113-1470, Raygo-Wagner, Portland, Oregon

摘要

In December 1982, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request from employees at Raygo-Wagner, Portland, Oregon, to determine if exposure to paint solvents was the cause of seizures experienced by three painters. Between December 30, 1982 and June 15, 1983, a NIOSH medical officer administered a standardized questionnaire to 12 of the 14 current or former painters. NIOSH was unable to locate the other two painters. A follow-up environmental/medical survey occurred on August 18-19, 1983. On the basis of the data collected from this evaluation, NIOSH has determined that the painters were exposed to paint and solvent vapors that could be the cause of (1) chronic toxic encephalopathy in two and possibly a third painter, and (2) subjectively reported decrements in memory in nine of twelve painters interviewed. This is based on the limited environmental sampling that indicates the environmental criteria could have been exceeded and the medical information acquired through personnel interviews, questionnaires and medical records. Since the plant has ceased production, there are no recommendations offered in this report.