Industrial Hygiene Survey Report on Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation Manufacturing at C.P. Chemical Company, Inc., 25 Home Street, White Plains, New York

摘要

Worker exposures to formaldehyde (50000), acetaldehyde (75070), phenol (108952), nitrosamines and noise were surveyed on March 3 and 4, 1980, at C.P. Chemical Company, Incorporated (SIC-3079) in White Plains, New York. The company manufactures urea formaldehyde foam insulation, and three workers were potentially exposed to the production chemicals. Airborne concentrations of formaldehyde ranged from 0.04 to 5.17 parts per million (ppm) during resin production and drumming operations. Concentrations of the remaining chemicals were below detectable limits. The highest noise level was 86 decibels relative to the A-weighted scale (dBA). Current OSHA standards for formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, phenol, and noise are 5ppm for a ceiling concentration, 200ppm for an 8 hour time weighted average sample, 5ppm, and 90dBA, respectively. No standards for nitrosamines were given. The authors conclude that personal exposures do not exceed recommended standards, however general area formaldehyde concentrations exceed OSHA standards during resin production. Recommendations include use of protective gloves and chemical goggles, installation of safety shower and eyewash stations, modification of the charging port so that it can be kept closed or operated with local exhaust ventilation, use of local exhaust ventilation during resin drumming, and development of rescue procedures for reactor cleaning operations.