Evaluation of exposures and respiratory health at a rubber manufacturing facility.

Abstract

○ Sixteen (18%) of 88 employees informally interviewed reported current respiratory symptoms that improve away from work; nine (10%) participants reported concerns about excessive heat in the production areas during the summer months. ○ Health and safety communication materials posted in English when approximately one-third of the employees were non-native English speakers. ○ Spot measurements of submicron particulates using a real-time particle counter exceeded 500,000 particles per cubic centimeter in 56% of the extrusion and production areas sampled. No occupational exposure limits for submicron particulates have been established. ○ A spot measurement of carbon monoxide concentration higher than 30 parts per million in the long breezeway between the warehouse and manufacturing area. ○ We detected 96 volatile organic compounds from the integrated air samples. • During the June 5-16, 2017 medical survey: ○ Of the 649 employees reported on the employee roster, 365 employees participated in the medical survey. ○ Two hundred sixty-nine (74%) participants reported at least one upper respiratory symptom in the past 12 months, and 160 (59%) of these participants reported their symptoms improved when away from work or something at work aggravated the symptoms. ○ Two hundred twenty-nine (63%) participants reported at least one lower respiratory symptom in the past 12 months, and 103 (45%) of these participants reported their symptoms improved when away from work. ○ Participants were 2.5 times more likely to report wheezing or whistling in the chest in the last 12 months compared with the U.S. general population. ○ Participants were 1.5 times more likely to report shortness of breath on level ground and 1.3 times more likely to report stuffy, itchy, or runny nose compared with the U.S. general population. ○ Compared with participants from non-production departments, participants working in extrusion were 1.8 times more likely to report work-related upper respiratory symptoms and 3.7 times more likely to report work-related breathing trouble. ○ Compared with participants from non-production departments, participants working in mixing were 2.8 times more likely to report work-related upper respiratory symptoms, 4.3 times more likely to report work-related usual cough, and 4.1 times more likely to report trouble with phlegm. ○ Most (89%) spirometry tests were normal; 25 (7%) spirometry tests were interpreted as having a restrictive pattern, seven (2%) an obstructive pattern, and two (1%) a mixed pattern • During the March 5-8, 2018 ventilation visit: ○ Most of the local exhaust ventilation systems throughout the plant, including all spray booths, provided good capture of released contaminants. ○ Generally, the canopy hoods were the poorest performing local exhaust ventilation capture points in the facility due to excessive vertical distance between the rubber production lines and canopy hood openings.