Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. HETA-81-422-1387, California Society for Histotechnology, Los Angeles, California

摘要

In August 1981, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request to evaluate exposures to formaldehyde, chloroform, xylene, toluene, and methyl methacrylate for histotechnicians employees at various hospitals and private laboratories in the Los Angeles area. The histotechnicians were reporting respiratory and behavioral symptoms which were believed to be associated with workplace exposures. In May, June and September 1982, NIOSH conducted environmental air monitoring of several operations for formaldehyde, chloroform, xylene and toluene. On the basis of the environmental data, NIOSH concluded that a health hazard exists to formaldehyde and chloroform under the conditions observed during the surveys. No overexposures to xylene and toluene were measured; however, there were brief exposure during which workers experienced irritant symptoms. The medical study found a high prevalence of respiratory and neurobehavioral symptoms and dermatitis among the participating histotechnicians. Recommendations to improve the work environment are included in Section VIII of this report.