Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 91-314-2179, Memphis Wood Preserving Company, Horn Lake, Mississippi

摘要

In response to a report received from a physician indicating a high level of urinary arsenic (7440382) in an employee of the Memphis Wood Preserving Company (SIC-2491), Horn Lake, Mississippi, an investigation was begun into arsenic exposures at the facility. Chromated-copper-arsenate (CCA) was used by the company as a wood preservative and insect repellent. Interviews were conducted with all nine employees and urine samples were also taken. Interviews and urine samples were also obtained from 14 employees at Thomas Wood Preserving Company, Granada, Mississippi where similar procedures were carried out. The highest urinary arsenic levels were found in laborers with management and clerical staff having lower levels. Skin contact, ingestion and inhalation were seen as the most likely routes of exposure. No symptoms of arsenic overexposure were reported by any of the workers. The arsenic levels were less than 50 micrograms per gram of creatinine. However, in 11 of the workers, inorganic arsenic levels exceeded 10 micrograms/gram of creatinine, the upper limit of normal levels. The authors conclude that contact with the CCA wood perservative was associated with higher levels of urinary arsenic. The authors recommend that specific measures be carried out to decrease arsenic exposure among these workers.