US EPA

3101355 

Technical Report 

Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. HETA-84-151-1544, Nuturn Corporation, New Castle, Indiana 

Ruhe, RL; Lipscomb, J 

1985 

NIOSH/00153395 

NIOSH 

HETA-84-151-1544 

84-151 

Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for asbestos (1332214), formaldehyde (50000), phenol (108952), and total particulates at Nuturn Corporation (SIC-3714), New Castle, Indiana in June, 1984. The survey was requested by a union representative to evaluate asbestos exposure during the manufacture of brake shoe linings. Pulmonary function tests and chest X-rays were taken for 170 workers. Asbestos was detected in 51 personal and 1 of 3 environmental samples. Concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.91 fibers per cubic centimeter (cm3). The OSHA standard for asbestos is 2.0 fibers/cm3. Total particulate concentrations ranged from 0.8 to 25.3 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). The OSHA standard for particulates is 15mg/m3. Formaldehyde and phenol were not detected. Twenty workers had abnormal pulmonary function test results. Twelve showed evidence of obstructive impairment, one had evidence of restrictive impairment, and seven showed both obstructive and restrictive impairment. Five workers showed X-ray abnormalities; one was suggestive of asbestosis and one of a pneumoconiosis. The authors conclude that a health hazard due to asbestos exposure exists at the facility. Recommendations include reducing asbestos exposures by engineering controls, good work practices, administrative controls, and using personal protective equipment. Asbestos should be replaced if feasible.