Health Hazard Evaluation Report, No. TA-77-81, Package Machinery Company, East Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Worker exposure to hazardous substances were evaluated on November 17, 1977 at Package Machinery Company (SIC-3551) in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. The evaluation was requested by a company representative on behalf of about 400 production workers. General and personal air samples were collected in seven different work areas, and analyzed for various solvents, gases, and dusts. Workers completed symptom questionnaires. Workplace ventilation also was assessed. Air concentrations of free silica (14808607) (quartz) and cristobalite (14464461), total particulates, toluene (108883), methyl-ethyl-ketone (78933), iron-oxide (1309371), manganese (7439965), chromic-acid (7738945) and chromates, and carbon-monoxide (630080) were assessed. Concentrations were found to be below respective evaluation standards of 0.05 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3), 30mg/m3 divided by the percentage of quartz plus 2, 10mg/m3, 375mg/m3, 590mg/m3, 5.0mg/m3, 5.0mg/m3 (ceiling), 0.5mg/m3, and 35 parts per million. None of the workers reported job related health problems. Ventilation systems were not within design specifications for the polishing/buffing, dipping tank, and chrome plating exhaust systems. The author concludes that no hazardous chemical exposures exist. He recommends ventilation improvements, use of personal protective equipment, retesting at selected work sites, and establishment of a Material Safety Data Sheet file.