Health Hazard Evaluation Determination, Report No. HHE-76-17-395, The Hayes and Albion Company, Spencerville, Ohio
A Health Hazard Evaluation investigation was conducted by NIOSH on April 1-2 and July 27-29, 1976, at the Hayes and Albion Company, Spencerville, Ohio, a plant engaged in the manufacturing of automobile trim and side molding (SIC-2396). An authorized employee representative requested the investigation for worker exposure to chemicals in the Anodizing Department, Stripping Room, Paint Room, Vinyl Assembly and Final Assembly area. On the basis of environmental sampling it has been determined that exposure to chromic-acid, sulfuric-acid (7664939), nitric-acid (7697372), methylene-chloride (75092), ethanol (64175), sodium-hydroxide, methyl-ethyl-ketone, toluene (108883), acetone (67641), carbon-monoxide (630080) and vinyl-chloride (75014) did not exceed recommended environmental criteria within the worksite areas. However, based on the answers to medical questionnaires completed by 30 affected workers, it is believed that workers in the spray painting and stripping areas may occasionally be exposed to excessive concentrations of methylene-chloride, methyl-ethyl-ketone (78933) and toluene, which are known to produce nose, throat and skin irritation. Recommendations are made for the use of respirators, establishing hazard educational programs, and servicing of exhaust ventilation systems to insure that they are operating at maximum efficiency.