Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. 80-19-765 at Jeanette Glass Company, Jeannette, Pennsylvania

摘要

Personal and area environmental samples were analyzed for arsenic-trioxide (1327533), selenium (7782492), silica (7631869), total and respirable dust, exposed and nonexposed workers were examined by a dermatologist and samples of blood, urine and pubic hair were collected at the Jeannette Class Company (SIC-3229), in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, on April 8 and 9, 1980. The evaluation was requested by the American Flint Glassworkers of North America, Local 535, on behalf of 35 workers in the mix and melt areas and the batchhouse. Arsenic concentrations ranged from 2 to 11 micrograms per cubic meter (cu m). One of eight samples had an arsenic concentration of 10.77 micrograms/cu m, which exceeded the OSHA criteria of 10 micrograms/cu m. Concentrations of selenium were below the federal standard of 200 micrograms/cu m. Respirable dust concentrations ranged from 0.14 to 0.99 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/cu m) and the quartz content of bulk dust was 10 percent. Some of the examined workers were afflicted with various presumably non-occupational skin disorders. Blood samples had arsenic concentrations below the detection limit of 1 microgram per 100 grams of blood. The authors conclude a health hazard due to arsenic-trioxide existed in the area surveyed. Since June 1980, arsenic-trioxide is no longer used at the factory. The authors recommend measures to avoid spillage, periodical monitoring of respirable silica, and informing arsenic exposed workers of an increased risk of developing skin and lung cancer.