US EPA

1627750 

Technical Report 

Health Hazard Evaluation Determination, Report No. HHE-77-38-504, Western Electric Company, Mesquite, Texas, July 1978 

Markel, HL; Thoburn, T; Donohue, M 

1978 

NIOSH/00099480 

NIOSH 

HHE-77-38-504 

77-38 

Environmental and medical surveys were conducted on April 12 and 13, and June 6, 8 and 15, 1977, to determine worker exposures to perchloroethylene (127184) in the circuit pack manufacturing, miniaturized trunks and backplane connector areas of Western Electric Company (SIC-3643) in Mesquite, Texas. A representative of the Communication Workers of America, Local 12260, requested the evaluation on behalf of the approximately 141 affected employees. All samples analyzed for perchloroethylene, toluene (108883), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556), n-butylacetate (123864), isopropanol (67630), acetone (67641) and methylene-chloride (75092) were well below OSHA standards. Exhaust ventilation was in accordance with accepted design criteria. Urinary total trichloro compounds (TTC) indicated that both high and low exposure groups were exposed to substances which resulted in TTC excretion. Past illness evaluations indicated that perchloroethylene had presented health problems. The authors conclude that workers in the high exposure group may be experiencing toxic effects from their exposure, and that overtime working may contribute to the accumulation of TTCs. The authors recommend that emphasis be directed toward preventing prolonged skin contact with perchloroethylene, that medical surveillance and record retention be instituted, and that the amount of overtime be reduced. 

DCN-182497; NIOSH Publication; NIOSH Author; HHE 77 38 504; NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation; Electric wiring devices; Hazards Unconfirmed; Region 7; Chemical exposure; Air contaminants; Biochemical effects; Physiological effects; Unions; Humans; Solvents