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1627768 
Technical Report 
Health Hazard Evaluation Report, No. HETA-81-455-1229, Red Wing Shoe Company, Red Wing, Minnesota 
Tharr, DG; Murphy, DC; Mortimer, V 
1982 
NIOSH/00127576 
NIOSH 
Exposures to solvent based adhesives were surveyed on September 21 and 22, 1981 and March 2 and 3, 1982 at Red Wing Shoe Company (SIC-3143) in Red Wing, Minnesota. The evaluation was requested by an unspecified representative of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 527, on behalf of an unspecified number of workers. Concern was expressed over a high rate of miscarriage among one group of workers. Personal and area air samples were analyzed for various solvents. Medical questionnaires were given to a total of 69 workers. Naphtha (8030306) and methylene-chloride (75092) exposures exceeded the respective NIOSH limits of 350 and 75 parts per million. Excessive exposures were also found for various solvent combinations, including heptane (142825), acetone (67641), toluene (108883), ethyl-acetate (141786), methyl-ethyl-ketone (78933), isopropanol (67630) and tetrahydrofuran (109999). Workers reported symptoms such as headaches, skin irritations, eye irritation, and upper respiratory tract irritation. No increase in the incidence of spontaneous abortion was found. Control technology assessments indicated several deficiencies. The authors conclude that solvent exposure hazard exist at this company. They recommend improved engineering controls, work practices, workplace hygiene, and product labeling. 
DCN-116001; NIOSH Publication; NIOSH Author; NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation; Hazards Confirmed; Industrial exposures; Industrial hygiene; Air sampling; Control technology; Time weighted average exposure; Solvents; HETA 81 455 1229; NIOSH Technical Assistance Report