| Abstract |
Employee interviews were conducted, work practices were observed, and ventilation systems were inspected at the Plastic Department of the Xomox Corporation in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 30 and July 24, 1979. The evaluations were requested by the company's Safety Coordinator to determine if employee reports of polymer fume fever were due to exposure to decomposition products of Teflon fluorocarbon polymer (9002840). Because of the variety of products generated by fluorocarbon polymer decomposition, no sampling or analysis techniques were considered adequate, and no evaluation criteria for exposure levels exist. Results from employee interviews show that six of 15 workers experienced symptoms which they attributed to the work environment and three others reported some symptoms, including fever, chills, respiratory difficulties, and headaches. It is concluded that only the stripping operations area can be identified as a definite exposure area. It is recommended that a no smoking rule be enforced in all areas where polymers are handled and processed. Recommendations also are made for routine medical examinations, engineering controls to improve ventilation, use of respirators, and workplace hygiene. |
