Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-80-144-1109. Film Processing Industry, Hollywood, California

HERO ID

1316845

Reference Type

Technical Report

Year

1982

Language

English

HERO ID 1316845
Year 1982
Title Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-80-144-1109. Film Processing Industry, Hollywood, California
Authoring Organization National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Publisher Text Center for Disease Control
City Washington, DC
Volume NIOSH
Page Numbers 1-34
Abstract Personal and area air samples were collected in two film laboratories (SIC-7819) in Hollywood, California for formaldehyde (50000), acetic-acid (64197), and organic solvents. Evaluation was requested by the Film Technicians Local No. 683 and was performed in 1980 and 1981. A medical questionnaire was distributed. Formaldehyde concentrations were below California standards of 2 parts per million in one laboratory. Acetic-acid was under the limit of detection of 0.05 milligrams. In the second laboratory, organic vapor and acetic-acid were below evaluation criteria except for methyl-chloroform (71556) which showed one area sample concentration of 4431 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) (NIOSH standard is 1900mg/m3) but this was not an area where employees were normally exposed. Formaldehyde concentrations in this laboratory occasionally exceeded evaluation standards 5 fold. Symptoms reported were: persistent irritant contact dermatitis; eye and upper respiratory irritation; transient defatting dermatitis; and anesthetic effects on fingers. The group exposed to final products reported irritation to eyes and upper respiratory system. The bleach accelerator process produced severe dermatitis in a high proportion of workers; organic solvents and residual formaldehyde in final products produced milder symptoms. The authors conclude that employees are overexposed only to formaldehyde at one laboratory.
Report Number NIOSH/00127502
Url https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/80-144-1109.pdf
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Number Of Pages 34
Comments Journal: Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch ISSN:
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword SIC 3681 (Photographic Equipment and Supplies), motion picture film developing, bleach accelerator process, formaldehyde, acetic acid, methyl chloroform, acetone, perchloroethylene, methylene chloride, dioxane