US EPA

4822987 

Technical Report 

Health Hazard Evaluation Determination, Report No. HHE-77-126-646, Shell Chemical Company, Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Denver, Colorado 

White, GL; Whorton, D 

1979 

NIOSH 

HHE-77-126-646 

Environmental sampling for organic pesticide vapors was conducted at the Shell Chemical Company (SIC-2879), in Denver, Colorado on January 26 and 27, and May 15 to 23, 1978, at the request of an authorized employee representative. A medical evaluation was performed on April 3 to 5, 1979. The company employed about 318 full time workers, and approximately 180 were considered to be affected. No toxic exposure to any of the pesticides was found during the first visit, although some trace amounts were detected. Some excessive exposures were noted during the followup visit, but all were below any exposure criteria. Some employees exposed to dibromochloropropane (96128) had reduced or no sperm counts, but the reversibility of this reaction could not be determined. The authors conclude that additional analytical developments are needed to accurately assess exposures at this facility. Strict controls and surveillance are necessary since the effects from chronic low level exposure to the pesticides are not clear. The authors recommend observance of strict personal hygiene, the use of safety and health education programs, routine maintenance, medical consultations with employees, and development of a toxicological information manual for workers and customers concerning organophosphate pesticides.