US EPA

1268875 

Technical Report 

Health Hazards In The Manufacturing Of Neon Signs 

Dickson, DB; Paganini, O 

1951 

NIOSH/00157314 

12 

1 

25-29 

Potential health hazards in the manufacture and disposal of fluorescent lighting tubes were examined. A total of 21 neon sign shops in two Texas cities were visited to assess sanitary conditions, employee skills and training, procedures for manufacture and disposal of neon signs, and other hazardous conditions. Poor housekeeping and maintenance of clean working conditions was found in most shops. Crowded workrooms were often observed. Mercury (7439976) spillage was considerable, and in most cases was ignored by workers as a menace to health. Workers were usually not aware of such attendant hazards and were unfamiliar with means of controlling the hazards. Sanitary facilities were either generally poor or entirely lacking. The principal health hazards connected with the neon sign industry are exposure to mercury, cleaning agents, beryllium (7440417) phosphors; high radiant temperatures, and spray painting of signs. Accidental electrocution is also a major safety hazard. The authors conclude that many improvements should and could be made in the neon sign industry. Twelve recommendations for improving working conditions in this industry are listed. 

DCN-144956; Health hazards; Physiology; Workers; Safety engineering; Occupational exposure; Health services; Physiological measurements; Exposure levels; Industrial environment; Health standards; Safety measures