Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. HHE-80-126-777 at St. Regis Paper Company, Bucksport, Maine

摘要

Thirty minute air samples of ceiling concentrations were analyzed for formaldehyde (50000), styrene (100425), and methylamine (74895), by gas chromatography at the St. Regis Paper Company (SIC-2611) in Bucksport, Maine, on June 18, 1980. The evaluation was requested regarding eye and skin irritation of workers by an authorized representative of United Paperworkers International Union, Local 1188 on behalf of 20 employees working in the Coating Preparation Department. An environmental evaluation was conducted to determine whether formaldehyde, styrene or methylamine was causing the irritation. Concentrations of formaldehyde ranged from 0.40 to 0.42 parts per million (ppm). Styrene and methylamine were not detected. The author notes that OSHA and NIOSH data indicates that formaldehyde concentrations at the sampling parts of the mixing vats reach concentrations of 3ppm instantaneously and are capable of causing irritation. The OSHA standard for formaldehyde is an 8-hour time weighted average of 3ppm with a 30 minute ceiling of 5ppm. The author concludes that an irritation hazard to employees existed due to excessive instantaneous formaldehyde concentrations. A ventilation system designed to create a negative pressure inside the mix tanks, which will eliminate employee exposures to formaldehyde, is planned to be installed by the company.