Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. HETA-81-135-912, U.S. Department of Transportation, East Liberty, Ohio

摘要

On December 29, 1980, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request to evaluate worker exposures to welding emissions, test vehicle exhaust, asbestos from brakelining testing, solvents, and noise at the Department of Transportation (DOT), Vehicle Research and Test Center, East Liberty, Ohio. The NIOSH field investigation on February 3-4, 1981, included environmental sampling, ventilation measurements, and a review of DOT noise level data. The survey evaluation criterion for the parts cleaning solvent is 350 ppm, for carbon monoxide 35 ppm, and for noise 85 dBA. While actual employee exposures to the parts cleaning solvent, carbon monoxide, and noise may not exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average criteria, the shorter term levels were significantly high. For the other contaminants, neither the air levels or employee average exposures exceeded the survey criteria. By comparisons with the survey evaluation criteria, NIOSH concluded that there are potentials for hazardous exposures to parts cleaning solvent, carbon monoxide, and noise at the East Liberty facility. Because exposure times are limited, the actual employee exposures may not be hazardous. Recommendations are included in the body of the full report.