.Personal breathing zone and area environmental samples were collected to characterize employees' exposures to oxides of nitrogen (NO, NO 2 ), coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPV's), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNA's), diesel particulates, carbon monoxide (CO), aldehydes, respirable silica, and noise. The 54 passive dosimeters analyzed for oxides of nitrogen indicated that the full shift exposure levels of NO 2 ranged from 0.16 ppm to 4.61 ppm with a mean exposure of 1.45 ppm. These results indicate that exposures were in excess of the NIOSH recommended ceiling level of 1 ppm. Results of the area samples for CO appeared to be well below the evaluation criteria. A concentration of 0.1 ppm was recorded on 2 of the 17 area measurements for formaldehyde.The medical portion of the survey consisted of a medical questionnaire, spirometry, and a review of company collected chest radiographs and audiograms. One hundred twenty-two of the 314 (39%) employees participated in the study. When compared to a group of nonexposed blue-collar workers, there was an increased prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms. Review of 293 radiographs revealed 18 cases of ILO category 1/0 or greater small radiographic opacities and no cases of large This Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) report and any recommendations made herein are for the specific facility evaluated and may not be universally applicable. Any recommendations made are not to be considered as final statements of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual involved.Additional HHE reports are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports This Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) report and any recommendations made herein are for the specific facility evaluated and may not be universally applicable. Any recommendations made are not to be considered as final statements of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual involved.Additional HHE reports are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports This Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) report and any recommendations made herein are for the specific facility evaluated and may not be universally applicable. Any recommendations made are not to be considered as final statements of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual involved. applicable. Any recommendations made are not to be considered as final statements of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual involved.Additional HHE reports are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports opacities. Analysis of the audiograms revealed a pattern typical of a population which has been exposed to excessive noise and suggested deficiencies in the company's hearing conservation program.The medical findings suggested a pattern of obstructive airways disease and pneumoconiosis. Acute symptoms were consistent with exposure to diesel particulate. Whether the chronic health problems have been the result of exposures in the Troy Mine is unclear. Because of the low participation rate, a selection bias may exist.On the basis of the environmental data obtained during the survey, NIOSH has de...
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