Health Hazard Evaluation Determination Report No. 74-24-246, Uncle Bill's Pick-N-Pay Market, No. 10, Middleburg Heights, Ohio; 74-92-246, Madsen's Valu Center, Mankato, Minnesota; 74-95-246, Kroger Company, Logan, West Virginia

摘要

Workers were given a respiratory questionnaire, pulmonary function tests, and complete blood tests to evaluate potential health hazards in the meat cutting and wrapping departments of each of the following supermarkets (SIC-5411): Uncle Bill's Pick-N-Pay Market, Madsen's Valu Center, and Kroger Company. The establishments were visited between April and October 1974. Evaluation requests came from authorized representatives of meat department employees working at these supermarkets who were concerned about the toxic effects of substances emitted by thermal cutting of polyvinyl-chloride (9002862) (PVC) packaging films. Twenty-four meat wrappers, 8 meat cutters and 20 control subjects were studied. Respiratory and nasal symptoms were common and 3 meat cutters had chronic symptoms of asthma or rhinitis. Results of blood analyses indicated no increases in white blood cell or total eosinophil counts. The authors conclude that there is no apparent risk of exposure to vinyl chloride monomer (75014). They recommend that concentrations of air contaminants be reduced and ventilation be improved.