Health Hazard Evaluation Determination Report HE 78-130-634, Ivy Hill Communications, Inc., Community Drive, Great Neck, Long Island, New York

摘要

Personal and area air sampling for airborne contaminants, bulk sample analysis by gas chromatography, and personal interviews with selected employees were conducted at the Ivy Hill Communications, Inc. printing facility in Great Neck, New York on August 16 and 17, 1979. The evaluation request came from a representative of the Amalgamated Lithographers of America, Local Number 1, who expressed concern over the health effects to approximately 50 employees of a new ultraviolet cured coating material. Sampling indicated that employees were not exposed to concentrations exceeding OSHA standards for isopropyl alcohol (67630), ozone (10028156), and ammonia (7664417), on the days surveyed. Several employees reported adverse dermal effects after contact with an ultraviolet cured chemical but subsequent modification of handling and engineering control reduced this hazard. Although excessive exposure to aromatic and nonaromatic solvents could not be evaluated objectively, the investigators concluded that two workers were exposed to excessive amounts of airborne solvents. The high aromatic content of some solvents may pose long term health effects, and NIOSH recommends that employee exposure be minimized through engineering control and work practice modification.