Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 80-086-1191, Harbison-Walker Refractories, Fairfield, Alabama, Bessemer, Alabama

摘要

During August and November 1980, NIOSH conducted an industrial hygiene survey. The author collected personal and general area air samples for measurements of total and respirable dust, respirable free silica, and aluminum oxide. The medical interviews revealed a high prevalence of symptoms of respiratory irritation among the workers. Review of the available X-ray and pulmonary function findings on 174 workers found no indication of silicosis or other definitely work related respiratory disease among the workers. Exposures to airborne dust exceeded the evaluation criteria for nuisance dust and aluminum oxide. Exposures to respirable free silica were not significant because of the low free silica content of the raw materials used. No indication of silicosis or other definitely work-related respiratory disease was found.