Abstract  In response to a request from an authorized representative of the employees at the Recognition Division of Jostens Incorporated (SIC-3911), Princeton, Illinois, a study was undertaken of possible hazardous working conditions at that site. Jostens was a jewelry manufacturer producing rings, medallions, tie tacks, belt buckles and service awards. There were about 15 employees in the plating department where jewelry was cleaned by either suspending the piece in a trichloroethylene (79016) (TCE) vapor degreaser or by immersing it in acid or alkali baths. Six plating lines were located in this department, each with its own exhaust ventilation. Personal breathing zone air concentrations of TCE ranged from 14.7 to 33.4 parts per million (ppm). Area air samples ranged from 49.2 to 64.1ppm at the TCE degreaser and ultrasonic cleaner, respectively, indicating these were major contributors to the pollution. Of the 25 employees responding to a symptom questionnaire, seven reported multiple symptoms consistent with solvent exposure. Cases of colon cancer, ovarian cancer, kidney and breast cancer were identified among polish department employees. Only one employee with cancer had worked at Jostens more than 10 years before diagnosis. The authors conclude that a hazard existed to TCE exposure. The authors recommend improvements in engineering controls, safe work practices, and the use of personal protective equipment made.

Abstract  In response to a request from the employees at Central Environmental Systems (SIC-3585), Madisonville, Kentucky, a facility of the York International Corporation, an investigation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at this site. Workers were apparently exposed to trichloroethylene (79016) (TCE) used to degrease parts which are assembled into tube and fin heat exchange units for commercial and residential heat pumps. The coil department used 40 workers per shift, with three shifts working each day. The department assembled the copper tubing and aluminum fins into the heat exchange units. Solvent degreasing was the commonly used cleaning method at this site. TCE concentrations in the breathing zones of workers in the coil department ranged from 31 to 38 parts per million (ppm) and averaged 34ppm during the first day of the survey. The workers monitored included brazers, pushers, and coil handlers. One short term potential exposure to greater than 100ppm TCE was noted. All of the full shift exposures measured, except one, exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit of 25ppm. Workers experienced headache, dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, and irritation of the eye, nose, and throat. During the evaluation, two of the workers were escorted from the site by the NIOSH medical officer because of severe, acute symptoms. The authors recommend measures to bring this operation into agreement with the published guidelines for worker exposure to TCE.

Abstract  The neurotoxic effects of organic solvents are reviewed. Organic solvents have been used in extraction, dissolution or suspension of fats, waxes and resins. Studies have shown that acute neurotoxicity is similar for human and laboratory animal exposures and is characterized by narcosis, anesthesia, central nervous system depression, respiratory arrest, loss of consciousness and death. Chronic effects have been studied to a limited extent in animals and have been documented epidemiologically for workers and solvent abusers. Reported effects included peripheral neuropathy and mild toxic encephalopathy. Three severity levels were defined for chronic human exposures: minimal, organic affective syndrome; moderate, mild, chronic toxic encephalopathy; and pronounced, severe, chronic toxic encephalopathy. Neurophysiological effects (electromyogram or electroencephalogram abnormalities, decreased nerve conduction velocities) have also been reported in exposed workers. Neurobehavioral effects such as reversible subjective symptoms, prolonged personality or mood changes and intellectual impairment have been studied epidemiologically and in volunteers. Severe exposure has produced irreversible impairment of intellect and memory (dementia) and structural central nervous system damage. Metabolic aspects of organic solvent exposure were discussed. Guidelines for minimizing worker exposure are discussed in relation to exposure monitoring; control of exposure through contaminant control, worker isolation, use of personal protective equipment and worker education; and medical surveillance. A table containing a summary of NIOSH recommended exposure limits for organic solvents is presented. Examples of solvents neurotoxic to humans discussed include carbon-disulfide (75150), n-hexane (110543), methyl-n-butyl-ketone (591786), trichloroethylene (79016), perchloroethylene (127184) and toluene (108883)

Abstract  On August 24, 2004, NIOSH received a technical assistance request from the Oregon Department of Human Services concerning dementia and neurologic dysfunction among workers exposed to TCE at Entek International in Lebanon, Oregon. In an initial NIOSH site visit in November 2004, NIOSH investigators found GA air concentrations of TCE ranging from 20 to 40 ppm in production areas. A medical questionnaire revealed that 48% of Entek International workers reported feeling high or lightheaded while at work in the last 30 days, compared to 19% of non-TCEexposed workers at an adjacent facility, Entek Manufacturing. In a follow-up site visit in June 2005, NIOSH investigators collected full-shift and shorter-term PBZ and GA air samples for TCE on study participants on all four production schedules over a one-week period. Noise exposures were also measured. The medical evaluation included a health questionnaire, five neurobehavioral tests (Grooved Pegboard, Postural Sway, Trail Making, Visual Contrast Sensitivity, and Symbol Color Recode), and biological monitoring for TCAA, a metabolite of TCE.

Abstract  A health hazard evaluation of employee exposure to chlorinated solvent vapors generated at 3 degreaser operations was conducted by NIOSH on March 16-18, 1976, at the Dana Corporation, in Tipton, Indiana, based on the determination of airborne exposure levels of trichloroethylene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane and on medical data yielded by health questionnaires. The facility is engaged in the production of compressor rings, valve guides and seals, etc. The results show that the open-detrex and manpro degreaser operators are exposed to solvent levels of trichloroethylene exceeding the ceiling values. The exposure of the valve-guide operator to 1,1,1-trichloroethane was found to be nontoxic. Limited air monitoring of the solvents at the work areas around the respective degreasing operations failed to reveal the presence of toxic concentrations, although complaints of occasional nausea indicate possible toxic exposure of the workers to trichloroethylene. Recommendations are made for control of employee exposure to trichloroethylene.