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3118151 
Technical Report 
Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 90-368-2137, Rockwell International, Newark, Ohio 
Decker, JA 
1991 
NTIS/02982317 
GRA and I 
GRA and I 
In response to a request from the management of Rockwell International (SIC-3714), Newark, Ohio a reevaluation was undertaken of work practices and equipment modifications to the axle painting operation as a follow up to a previous investigation. Workers at the facility machined and assembled axles for over the road and military vehicles. Eight to ten workers per shift worked in the axle painting area. The axle painting procedure involved two coats of paint, a white epoxy based primer and a green polyurethane top coat. Before painting, the axles were detergent washed and conveyed through a semiautomated, metal conditioning zinc-phosphate treatment. After the epoxy was dry, a coat of polyurethane paint was applied in a second robotic spray paint operation. Results of full shift personal exposure monitoring indicated methyl-ethyl-ketone (78933) (MEK) concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 13.4 parts per million (ppm), methyl-isobutyl-ketone (108101) (MIBK) ranging from 0.2 to 1.2ppm, and xylene (1330207) ranging from 0.1 to 1.6ppm. Area sampling for hexamethylene-diisocyanate (822060) (HDI) indicated concentrations above the NIOSH recommended limit of 35 micrograms/cubic meter. Most of the chromium (7440473) and cobalt (7440484) concentrations were below the limits of detection. Several workers reported sinus and respiratory symptoms, dizziness, and drowsiness. The author concludes that a potential health hazard existed from exposure to HDI in specific areas. The author recommends specific measures concerning engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment.