Health Hazard Evaluation Report. HETA 88-279-2026, Kardon Industries, St. Paris, Ohio

摘要

In response to a request from a production manager, an evaluation was conducted of the effectiveness of ventilation system modifications made to reduce worker exposures at the waxing unit at Kardon Industries (SIC-2655), St. Paris, Ohio. NIOSH investigators had visited the site previously and collected personal and area air samples for acetaldehyde (75070) and formaldehyde (50000) determinations. This particular facility produced cardboard caulking tubes, employing a workforce of 100 hourly employees with some departments operating three shifts per day. Some of the tubes were manufactured with an inner wax coating, sprayed on by the auto wax unit. Environmental sampling did not detect any aldehydes initially, but a more sensitive test did reveal the presence of formaldehyde in concentrations ranging from 0.024 to 0.029 parts per million. During the first visit, problems in the ventilation system had been identified. Modifications made subsequent to this initial visit had improved the working conditions. Even though reported symptoms of headache, burning eyes, throat and nose irritation, dizziness and an altered taste sensation and nausea, were not readily explained by the documented exposure levels, the symptoms might possibly have come from a combined effect of the low levels of airborne substances measured. The author concludes that improvements made to the local exhaust ventilation system and the auto wax unit have reduced the potential for work related exposures. The author recommends further improvements.