US EPA

1371492 

Technical Report 

Organizacion Panamericana de la Salud Empresa Nacional de Fundiciones, Oruro, Bolivia, HETA 94-0109-2494 (Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 94-0109-2494, Organizacion Panamericana de la Salud Empresa Nacional de Fundiciones, Oruro, Bolivia) 

Sussell, A; Singal, M 

1995 

NTIS/02981464_3 

GRA and I 

GRA and I 

In response to a request from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), an investigation was begun into possible exposures to heavy metals and sulfur-dioxide (7445095) at Empresa Metalurigica Vinto (SIC-3339), a large tin smelter near Oruro, Bolivia. Fifteen workers were selected for exposure monitoring. Of the 15, 14 had exposures greater than the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit or the OSHA Permissible Exposure Level to arsenic; 11 had hazardous exposures to cadmium (7440439), and eight had hazardous exposures to sulfur-dioxide. Surfaces throughout the facility were highly contaminated with heavy metals. Fifteen workers participated in biological monitoring studies. The median value for urinary arsenic (7440382) (UA) was 78 micrograms per gram creatinine. Nine of the 15 workers had UA levels exceeding the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Biological Exposure Index. The median blood lead (7439921) level was 19 micrograms per deciliter. The authors conclude that a significant health hazard from exposures to heavy metals and sulfur-dioxide exists for some of the employees at this location. The authors recommend that measures be taken to control the hazards, including further study of exposure, implementing engineering controls, improving hygiene facilities, implementing medical surveillance programs, and improving respiratory protection programs. (An English language version of this publication is available.) 

Smelters; *Sulfur dioxide; Occupational exposure; Industrial hygiene; Air pollution monitoring; Ventilation; Arsenic; Work environments; Occupational safety and health; *Heavy metals; Oruro(Bolivia)