Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
1269215 
Technical Report 
Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. HETA-93-0366-2370 
Burton, NC; Malkin, R 
1993 
Michigan Printers 
Chicago, Illinois 
NIOSH/00218662 
NIOSH 
93-0366 
English 
In response to a management request based on a report that a former employee of the Michigan Printers (SIC-2752), Chicago, Illinois had suffered adverse reactions to carbonless copy paper and solvents, an industrial hygiene and medical survey was conducted. The facility employed 12 workers in check printing and offset printing. Samples were taken of personal breathing zone and area air quality and analyzed for solvents and metal particles. Employees were interviewed and work practices were observed. The ventilation units appeared to be operating well and were well maintained. The air sampling results indicated ranges of exposures as follows: isopropanol (67630) 53 to 132 parts per million (ppm), isobutanol (78831) 0.15 to 0.91ppm, 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556) 0.11 to 0.23ppm, and toluene (108883) 1.09 to 5.03ppm. Concentrations of beryllium (7440417), calcium (7440702), copper (7440508), iron (7439896), magnesium (7439954) and zinc (7440666) ranged from 0.02 to 1.05 micrograms per cubic meter. Of the 11 employees interviewed, one reported chest tightness and cough which the worker associated with the alcohols used with the offset press. The authors conclude that workers were not overexposed to organic solvents or metals at the time of the survey. The authors recommend that the hazard communications file be updated and some specific changes be made to improve employee comfort. 
DCN-218355; NIOSH Publication; NIOSH Author; NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation; NIOSH Technical Assistance Report; HETA 93 0366 2370; Hazard Unconfirmed; Region 5; Solvent vapors; Printing industry; Organic solvents; Occupational exposure 
PB94-163128