Health Hazard Evaluation report no. HETA 96–0266–2702, Cooper Engineered Products, Bowling Green, Ohio
HERO ID
4287129
Reference Type
Technical Report
Year
1998
Language
English
| HERO ID | 4287129 |
|---|---|
| Year | 1998 |
| Title | Health Hazard Evaluation report no. HETA 96–0266–2702, Cooper Engineered Products, Bowling Green, Ohio |
| Authoring Organization | National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |
| Publisher Text | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
| City | Washington, DC |
| Abstract | On September 13, 1996, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a management request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at Cooper Engineered Products, in Bowling Green, Ohio. The request noted concerns about workers’ exposure to a new, two–component, water–based polyurethane paint (water–based polyurethane paint with polytetrafluoroethylene and a polyfunctional aziridine cross–linker) that is applied to automotive/truck rubber seals (vehicle sealing) on the dual durometer (DD) extrusion lines. Health effects described in the request included skin and upper respiratory problems. On October 16, 1996, NIOSH industrial hygienists conducted an initial site visit. Area air samples were collected on thermal desorption (TD) tube media to qualitatively identify volatile organic compounds (VOC). Bulk samples of the water–based polyurethane paint were also collected. A follow–up site visit was conducted on March 25–26, 1997, to collect additional air samples. On January 21, 1997, NIOSH medical officers conducted a site visit and questionnaire survey. In April and May 1997, skin patch testing was performed to identify employees with allergic contact dermatitis. N–methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) was used as a surrogate for exposure to the water–based polyurethane paint because it was a major component of the bulk paint samples and the TD tube air samples. Utility incentives (those who work at end of DD lines) who worked with the paint or in the paint booths (adjusting spray guns or changing filters) had mean inhalation exposures to NMP (0.15 parts per million [ppm]) almost 4 times greater than workers who did not work with paint (0.04 ppm). Inhalation exposures of operators to NMP were similar to those of utility incentives who did not work with the paint or paint booths. Workers in the DD department may also be exposed to low levels of propylene glycol, carbon disulfide, and xylenes. Area air samples were collected for isocyanates at various locations on the DD lines because the paint was made with a polyisocyanate. All air sample concentrations were below the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) of 1.6 :g/m3 . Area and personal breathing zone (PBZ) air samples were collected for n–nitrosamines on both cascade lines (salt baths) and two DD lines. All air sample concentrations were below 0.028 :g/m3 (MDC). Utility incentives were dermally exposed to irritants and a sensitizer in the paint, especially when working in the paint booths, changing filters, or adjusting the spray guns. Only one worker was observed wearing gloves. Two DD workers, both of whom had a history of work–related skin rashes, had skin reactions suggestive of allergy to accelerators present in the rubber used at Cooper. iv NIOSH investigators identified two DD workers allergic to accelerators present in the rubber. These workers may also have an irritant component to their skin problems. Workers were dermally exposed to irritants and a sensitizer in the water–based polyurethane paint when changing filters and adjusting the spray guns in the paint booths. Mean inhalation exposures to NMP were below 1 part per million, and all isocyanate concentrations were less than 1.6 :g/m3 (the MDC). Recommendations are made to minimize dermal exposures to rubber products, to decrease exposure to the irritants and sensitizer in the paint, and to provide a system for the evaluation, reporting, and surveillance of dermatologic conditions. |
| Report Number | HETA 96–0266–2702 |
| Is Certified Translation | No |
| Dupe Override | No |
| Is Public | Yes |
| Language Text | English |