Health hazard evaluation report: HETA #99-0260-2906, Marx Industries, Inc., Sawmills, North Carolina.

Abstract

This Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) report and any recommendations made herein are for the specific facility evaluated and may not be universally applicable. Any recommendations made are not to be considered as final statements of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual involved.Additional HHE reports are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports This Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) report and any recommendations made herein are for the specific facility evaluated and may not be universally applicable. Any recommendations made are not to be considered as final statements of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual involved.Additional HHE reports are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports applicable. Any recommendations made are not to be considered as final statements of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual involved.Additional HHE reports are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports ii PREFACEThe Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch (HETAB) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts field investigations of possible health hazards in the workplace. These investigations are conducted under the authority of Section 20(a)(6) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. 669(a)(6) which authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, following a written request from any employer or authorized representative of employees, to determine whether any substance normally found in the place of employment has potentially toxic effects in such concentrations as used or found.HETAB also provides, upon request, technical and consultative assistance to Federal, State, and local agencies; labor; industry; and other groups or individuals to control occupational health hazards and to prevent related trauma and disease. Mention of company names or products does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH. For the purpose of informing affected employees, copies of this report shall be posted by the employer in a prominent place accessible to the employees for a period of 30 calendar days. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND AVAILABILITY OF REPORTiv Highlights of the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Evaluation of Exposure to Spray Adhesive (1-bromopropane [1-BP])This Health Hazard Evaluation was requested by the North Carolina Department of Labor to address concerns about possible health problems related to working with a spray adhesive that contains the chemical 1-bromopropane [1-BP]. We also checked to see if Marx employees were exposed to arsenic. What NIOSH Did# We checked the air for 1-BP levels. # We took air, water, hand wipe, and surface dust samples to try to find any arsenic source.# We asked employees to fill out a questionnaire and participate in a medical survey.# We conducted a medical survey to see if exposure to 1-BP at Marx was causing problems with blood counts, nerve problems, and, for men, reproductive problems. What NIOSH Found# Employees on the spray lines were exposed to high levels of 1-BP.# The wall fans near spray tabl...