Health Hazard Evaluation Determination, Report No. HHE-75-8-263 Hedstrom Union Company, Bedford, Pennsylvania
A Health Hazard Evaluation investigation was conducted by NIOSH on April 22 and September 4, 1975, at the Hedstrom Union Company, Bedford, Pennsylvania, a facility engaged in the manufacture of toys from sheet steel (SIC-3312). Fabrications operations include cutting, stamping, welding and surface coating prior to assembly. The survey was prompted by a request from the 19 affected employees of the company to evaluate exposure to arsenic (7440382) throughout the plant after one worker was treated for arsenic poisoning. Environmental sampling, review of biological tests obtained from one employee, and a review of the pertinent literature lead to the conclusion that the exposure of pressmen, die setters, utility men, welders, platers, painters and maintenance men to arsenic, lead (7439921), mercury (7439976), and bismuth (7440699) was not toxic at the concentrations measured. No jugement could be made as to the cause of localized skin pigmentation observed in one worker; however, it does not appear to be related to arsenic exposure at the work place. A potential problem was noted in conjunction with eating habits of some workers and the composition of the paint used on heavy equipment throughout the plant.