NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Testimony to Subcommittee on Manpower, Compensation, and Health and Safety, House Committee on Education and Labor by Dr. John F. Finklea, February 9, 1976

摘要

Testimony before the Subcommittee on Manpower, Compensation, and Health and Safety described the Life Science Products Company in Virginia after the introduction of kepone (143500) into the environment and its effects. When visiting the facility, gross contamination of kepone on the walkways, floors, walls, and overhead structures was observed. Special work clothing was not generally worn and clothing contaminated with kepone was frequently worn home. The employees often ate on the job. While a few face masks were provided, these were not used regularly. Of the 113 present and former employees examined, over half of them exhibited symptoms of kepone poisoning including nervousness, weight loss, chest and joint pains, tremor, difficulty in walking, and skin rash. All 32 current employees had detectable levels of kepone in their blood. The efforts of two physicians brought about a closure of the facility on July 26, 1975 based on the blood levels of kepone in one worker. Preliminary evidence now exists that kepone is a carcinogen and the recommended exposure level is not greater than 1 microgram/cubic meter of breathing zone air for a 10-hour day, 40-hour week, over a working lifetime. The recommendations made to OSHA based on these studies were included in the report. The 36 companies believed to be formulators of insecticides containing kepone have been notified of the hazards.