Survey Report: Control Technology Evaluation for Controlling Worker Exposure to Asphalt Fumes from Roofing Kettles: Kettle Operated Using Low Fuming Asphalt at Raytheon Corporation Fort Wayne, Indiana

摘要

The Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch (EPHB) of the Division of Applied Research and Technology has been given the lead within NIOSH to study the engineering aspects relevant to the control of hazards in the workplace. Since 1976, EPHB has assessed control technology found within selected industries or used for common industrial processes. EPHB has also designed new control systems where current industry control technology was insufficient. The objective of these studies was to document and evaluate effective control techniques (e.g., isolation or the use of local ventilation) that minimized the risk of potential health hazards and created an awareness of the usefulness and availability of effective hazard control measures. One industry identified for EPHB control studies is that of asphalt roofing. Epidemiologic studies of roofers have demonstrated an excess of lung, bladder, renal, brain, liver, and digestive system cancers among roofers or other occupations with the potential for exposure to asphalt. As a result of the epidemiological data, researchers from EPHB developed a project to evaluate engineering controls in the asphalt roofing industry. Due to the high asphalt temperatures used in the roofing process, roofing kettle operators may be at a higher risk of asphalt fume exposure than workers in any other industry or trade. This project evaluates existing engineering controls for asphalt fume exposures to roofing kettle operators and, if necessary, redesigns those controls to reduce operator exposure.