Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 91-391-2174, New England Lead Burning Co.(NELCO), Eaton Metals, Salt Lake City, Utah

摘要

In response to a request from the Director of the Department of Safety andHealth, United Association of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry, a follow up investigation was undertaken to determine if worker exposures to lead (7439921) had been reduced as a result of changes made after an initial evaluation at the New England Lead Burning Company (SIC-3443) project at Eaton Metals, Salt Lake City, Utah. The job at Eaton Metals involved the lining of two 85 foot long, 14.5 foot diameter steel tanks with lead sheets. All 22 employees on the day of the study provided blood specimens. The short term lead concentrations for the various jobs ranged from 53 to 450 micrograms/cubic meter. Wipe samples revealed the presence of lead contamination on table surfaces in the lunch room, on workers' clothes and shoes, in the workers' cars, and on the floor of the change room. The authors conclude that employee blood lead levels were reduced below the level requiring bimonthly testing. However, personal breathing zone lead levels were above the PEL and wipe samples still indicated lead contamination. The authors recommend that additional efforts be made to clean up lead contamination. Respirators should be stored in protective bags.