HHE Report Information |
| Link to PDF |
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| HHE Number |
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| Title |
| HHE Report No. HETA-91-0109-2426, Duracell Battery Company, Cleveland, Tennessee |
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| Author |
| Hanley-KW; Lenhart-SW; Boudreau-AY |
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| Abstract |
| In response to a report from an occupational physician of suspected Parkinson like neurological effects resulting from manganese (7439965) (Mn) exposure in the powder areas of the Duracell Battery Company (SIC-3692), Cleveland, Tennessee, exposures to Mn dust and the effectiveness of the respiratory protection program were evaluated. Workers were screened for symptoms related to Mn overexposure. Press operators, mechanics, material handlers and other workers were evaluated for full shift and short term personal breathing zone dust samples. Fifty four full shift time weighted average exposure concentrations of total Mn ranged from 0.1 to 5.4mg/m3. The Recommended Exposure Limit for Mn dust was 1.0mg/m3 total Mn. Area sample comparisons of total and respirable manganese revealed the mean respirable particulate manganese fraction to be 21% of the total manganese concentration. Respiratory protection was worn by workers in the powder processing and press room areas. Respirator performance was evaluated. Six of the employees from the powder processing area and press rooms, 8% of the total number, participated in private medical interviews. All denied awareness of symptoms of manganism, and none showed signs of the disease. The authors recommend measures for controlling exposure, including installing additional process enclosures and local exhaust ventilation; ventilation design improvements; increased filtration of recirculated air; elimination of dry sweeping; and medical surveillance of manganese exposed workers. |
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| Keywords |
| NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-91-0109-2426; Region-4; Hazard-Confirmed; Metal-dusts; Dust-control; Dust-exposure; Industrial-hygiene; Occupational-exposure; Nervous-system-disorders; Battery-manufacturing-industry; |
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