Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 93-0633-2455, Metro Transit, Kalamazoo,Michigan

摘要

In response to a request from the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1093, aninvestigation was begun into respiratory irritation associated with diesel engine exhaust emissions in the Metro Transit (SIC-4172) bus terminal, Kalamazoo, Michigan. The bus terminal housed a fleet of 40 diesel powered buses. There were 74 employees. Between 5 and 9am there was a visible haze of diesel exhaust emissions. Air sampling results indicated personal breathing zone exposures to carbon monoxide (630080) (CO) as high as 5.8 parts per million (ppm) which is below the 25ppm suggested limit. The highest time weighted average concentration for nitrogen dioxide (10102440) (NO2) was 1.2ppm, below the 3ppm suggested limit. The author concludes that the respiratory irritation reported by the transit workers was consistent with exposure to NO2. The author recommends that efforts be made to reduce the diesel exhaust emissions and worker exposures.