Health Hazard Evaluation Determination Report No. HHE-78-104-565, Universal Printing Company, St. Louis, Missouri

摘要

The workplace was inspected, employees participated in medical interviews and limited physical examinations, and personal air samples were taken to determine exposure concentrations at a facility (No. 2) of the Universal Printing Company in St. Louis, MO, on July 18-20, 1978. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography for total naphtha, toluene, ethyl benzene, m-xylene, cumene, 1,3,5-trimethyl-benzene, and 1,2,4-trimethyl-benzene. Of the approximately 30 employees, 40% of the employees complained of hand and arm irritation and approximately one-third of all employees reported seldom wearing or having impervious gloves available. Two cases of eye irritation were found with two other reports of previous eye irritation. Splash goggles were not available in the shop. Approximately 40% complained of occasional dizziness during blanket washing. The investigators conclude that, although employee exposure to airborne contaminants was not found to be toxic at the time of testing, exposure could be potentially toxic if employees worked overtime or did more cleanup or changeover operations than they did at the time of testing. The investigators recommend that numerous safety practices be instituted.