NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA No. 98-0011-2801, Woodbridge Corporation, Brodhead, Wisconsin, 2000

摘要

On October 14, 1997, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) request from the Union of Needle trades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE) Local 1871 on behalf of employees at the Woodbridge Corporation in Brodhead, Wisconsin. The request indicated that five Woodbridge employees had been diagnosed with cancer over the last four years, and employees were concerned that these cancers might be caused by workplace exposures at Woodbridge Corporation, namely exposure to toluene diisocyanate (TDI), the primary chemical constituent used to make the flexible foam used for automotive seat cushions. The HHE requestor later noted that 83 employees had recently completed a health and safety survey, and various health symptoms were reported which were consistent with exposure to diisocyanates. On November 19 - 20, 1998, NIOSH investigators conducted an initial site visit, which included an opening conference, employee interviews, interviews with Woodbridge health and safety personnel, medical records review, and a walk-through inspection of the Woodbridge foam-production facility. During March 3 - 5, 1999, NIOSH investigators returned to the Woodbridge facility to conduct environmental air sampling for hydrocarbon solvents (naphthas).