Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. HETA 82-264-1232, Olympic Medical Laboratories, Bremerton, Washington

摘要

In July 1982, NIOSH received a request to determine the employees' exposure to formaldehyde and xylene in the histology laboratory. On July 13 and 21, 1982, NIOSH collected 10 formaldehyde and 7 xylene air samples to determine the workers' exposures to these substances. The employees were interviewed regarding current and past adverse health effects. In 1981, NIOSH-recommended that formaldehyde be considered a potential carcinogen and that all exposures be controlled to the lowest feasible limit. Two employees reported occasional eye and nose irritation at work. One technician experienced burning of his eyes and nose while he was disposing of the old specimens. Although the pathologist had no adverse health effects on the day of sampling, he stated he experienced burning of the eyes and nose on days when the work load was greater. Engineering controls and stringent work practices should be employed to reduce occupational exposures to the lowest feasible limit.