Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. HETA-81-346-1022, Robert Dorsen, Inc., Rockville, Maryland

摘要

On June 1, 1981, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request from Robert Dorsen, Inc., Rockville, Maryland, to evaluate possible health hazards resulting from exposure to chemical fumes reportedly entering the office facility from a lithographic printing firm located in the lower level of the same building. Robert Dorsen employees were complaining of sporadic eye, nose, and throat irritation. On August 27, 1981, a NIOSH industrial hygienists conducted environmental sampling within the Dorsen facility. NIOSH confirmed that the source of isopropanol vapors in the Dorsen offices is due to operations of the printing firm on the lower floor. Results of three area air samples showed concentrations of airborne isopropanol vapor averaging approximately 35 ppm (parts of isopropanol per million parts of air) at locations within the sales and display areas of the facility. Qualitative sample analysis indicated no airborne contaminants other than isopropanol. The current NIOSH recommended standard for occupational exposure to isopropanol is 400 ppm as averaged over a 10-hour work shift, and 800 ppm for any 15 minute peak exposure period.