Health Hazard Evaluation Determination Report HE 79-51-664, Gates Energy Products, Inc., Denver, Colorado

摘要

An environmental and biological survey was conducted on March 13-15, 1979, to evaluate potential overexposures at the Gates Energy Products Co. Breathing zone air samples were taken on workers in all areas for lead determination. Methyl chloroform samples were taken in one area where perforated lead sheets were cleaned with methyl chloroform. Blood samples were taken on 217 workers, and a brief work history questionnaire given to each one. Fifty-four percent of the lead air samples taken exceeded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard of 0.05 mg/cu M. None of the methyl chloroform samples exceeded the 1979 ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 1900 mg/cu M. Lead was analyzed in 217 blood samples. Forty-four percent of these samples exceeded the OSHA standard of 40 micrograms Pb/100 grams of whole blood (40 micrograms Pb/100 g). Thirty-seven percent were between 40-60 micrograms Pb/100 grams of whole blood. Six percent were between 60-80 micrograms Pb/100 grams of whole blood and one percent exceeded 80 micrograms Pb/100 grams of whole blood. On the basis of these environmental and medical data, it was concluded that a health hazard existed from overexposure to lead.