HEALTH HAZARD EVALUATION REPORT NO. HETA-251/252-1099, GENERAL MOTORS, MCCOOK, ILLINOIS

On September 16, 1980, NIOSH received a request for a Health Hazard Evaluation of the General Motors Electro-Motive Division in McCook, Illinois, to investigate symptoms of headache, dizziness, nausea, and eye irritation in the varnish impregnating area, and reports of sore throats and respiratory and eye irritation in the battery charging area. NIOSH determined that the risk of symptoms of solvent intoxication was significantly increased for workers within 30 feet of the varnish impregnating tanks. These symptoms may be caused by the short-term, high levels (up to 38% of the LEL) of solvent vapors which are released when the impregnating tanks are opened. Cases of chronic mucous membrane irritation or respiratory irritation were significantly associated with proximity to the battery charging station. Low levels of sulfuric acid, arsine and stibine detected in the area may be responsible for these symptoms.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

  4676 Columbia Parkway
  Cincinnati, OH  United States  45226-1998
• Authors:
  • Lucas, A
  • Cone, J
• Publication Date: 1982-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 25 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Battery chargers; Impregnation (Engineering); Maintenance facilities; Motors; Occupational safety; Solvents; Sulfuric acid; Toxicity; Traction; Traction drives; Vacuum
• Uncontrolled Terms: vacuum impregnation
• Subject Areas: Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00378914
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: HETA-80-251/252-1099
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 30 1983 12:00AM