Document Rr4L54Zk38xz9Z8oG5KDd85k

FILE NAME: Electrical Insulation (ELEC) DATE: 1983 DOC#: ELEC012 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Report - Rhode Island Lung Assoc. O ccupational Health v. ' on of ' a series 1983 WIRE andCABLE MANUFACTURING Toxic Air Contaminants TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . THE WIRE AND CABLE INDUSTRY IN RHODE ISLAND OCCUPATIONAL INJURY AND ILLNESS DATA FOR RHODE ISLAND STUDIES OF WORKER HEALTH .. WIRE AND CABLE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES WIRE DRAWING TINNING AND ELECTROPLATING INSULATION OF MIRE AND CABLE ASBESTOS RUBBER AND PLASTIC COMPOUNDING * STRAINING AND MILLING RUBBER OUSTING RUBBER AND PLASTIC EXTRUSION SPARK TESTING BRAZING .`".EDICAL MONITORING OF WORKER HEALTH PAGE 1 1 1 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 14 14 15 16 17 18 POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS IN THE HIRE AMD CABLE INDUSTRY PROCESS AGENT HAZARD Wire Drawing Tinning Electroplating Heavy reels o f wire and cable Noise Lubricants Tin Mists o f acids and basts Insulation o f wire Asbestos and-cable with asbestos Insulation o f wire and cable with rubber and p la stic compounds Dusts and vapors from a variety o f chemicals lis te d on pages T-15. Stripping o f lead Lead cables Rubber dusting Talc Asbestos Mica Zinc Stearate Back injury as the result of liftin g or moving heavy reels Hearing Impairment Dermatitis Nondebilitating emphysema Skin irritatio n and burns Lung irrita tio n , Inflammation, and possibly, bronchitis or permanent lung damage Lung Cancer Lung Fibrosis (A sbestosis) Mesotheliomas (cancers on the membranes lin in g the lungs and abdominal organs) Cancers and damage to various organs including lungs, liv e r, kidneys, and bladder due to In* halation, ingestion or absorp tion o f chemicals through the skin. Interference in the formation o f red blood c e l l s , anemia, gastrointestinal problems, cen tral nervous system damage Pulmonary F ib ro sis... Lung Cancer,Asbestos 1 s, Mesotheliomas Pulmonary Fibrosis Pulmonary Fibrosis Spark Testing Brazing Ozone (low concentration) Ozone (high concentration) Brazing fumes from flux m aterials including flu o rid es, cadmium, zinc, copper, brass Throat ir r ita tio n , bronchitis Irreversible lung damage Irritatio n of skin , eyes, and respiratory tract and possibly cancer Fetal Fume Fever Toxic Air Contaminant Hazards Associated with the Manufacture of E lectrical Mire and Cable INTRODUCTION Many potentially hazardous chemicals are used in the manufacture of e le c tric a l wire and cable. The vast majority o f these chemicals are employed In the production of rubber and p la stic insulating m aterials. Because such a wide variety o f wire and cable products I s manufactured i t i s not possible to ta lk In concrete terms about toxic chemical hazards throughout the industry. Each type o f wire Is manufactured to meet sp e c ific needs and can require the use o f d ifferen t compounds. Therefore, 1t i s hoped that th is report w ill serve as a general guide to poten tial a i r contaminant hazards and th eir control, as well as a startin g point fo r further shop sp e c ific evaluation. V. THE HIRE AND CABLE INDUSTRY IN RHODE ISLAND Rhode Island has one o f the highest concentrations o f wire and cable firms 1n the United States. I ts 12 firms manufacture a wide variety o f wire and cable products Including appliance wire, building wire, power transmission wire, under ground cable, power supply cords, extension cords, heater cords, automotive w ire, and telephone wire. According to the Bureau o f Labor S t a t i s t i c s , in 1980 approximately 5000 workers were errployed in Rhode Islands e le c tric a l wire and cable firm s, accounting fo r about 42 o f the s t a t e 's to tal manufacturing labor force. Most o f the firms are unionized with the m ajority o f workers belonging to eith er the Internationa! Brotherhood o f Electrical Workers (IBEW) o r the United Steel Workers o f America (USWA). OCCUPATIONAL INJURY AND ILLNESS DATA FOR RHODE ISLAND One way to analyze the health status o f wire and cable workers i s to look a t the Bureau o f labor S t a t i s t i c s ' (BLS) occupational injury and illn e s s data. This Information must be carefu lly interpreted since i t i s widely recognized that many Illn esses go unreported and are d if f ic u lt to link to job conditions, while occupational in ju rie s are much more obvious. BIS data i s primarily useful in providing a relative comparison o f injury rates among Industrial categories. Injury and Illn ess data fo r 1980 showed th at no work related Illn esses were reported in Rhode Islan d 's wire drawing in du stries. However, the number o f workers who lo st days due to work-related in ju rie s was higher than for Rhode Island manufacturing in dustries in general, and fo r wire workers nationwide. In addition, injured workers were out about twice as many days as workers in the same industry nationwide, twice as many days as workers in manufacturing in Rhode Island, and about three times as many days as workers in manufacturing nationwide. Back in ju ries account for most of the lo s t time from work in the wire and cable industry. I STUDIES OF WORKER HEALTH Very few studies have been conducted on the health o f workers in the wire and ca b li industry. Those that have been done involved wire and cable firms in England. The major concern in these studies was the e ffe c t of exposure to a certain antioxidant containing alpha and beta naphthyl amines used In the produc tion f rubber insulated wire. Production o f the antioxidant ceased In England in 1949. Neither alpha nor beta naphthylamine has ever been banned in the United States although there has been no production o f beta naphthylamine in the p ast 10 years. Alpha naphthylamine 1s s t i l l connercially available. The early British studies revealed that rubber workers 1n both the rubber and cablemaking industries who were exposed to the antioxidant were a t an in creased risk for contracting and dying from tumors o f the bladder. alpha and beta naphthylamine are regarded as bladder carcinogens. v Today, both While few studies have been conducted concerning the health o f workers in the wire and cable Industry, many stu dies have been done on workers in the rub ber industry. In 1970, the United Rubber Workers Union contracted with six U.S. rubber companies to have comprehensive studies done to determine the ad verse health e ffe c ts o f enployment 1n the rubber industry. Since many o f the chemicals that are used in the rubber industry are also used in the wire and cable industry, the re su lts o f these studies should be mentioned. Studies conducted on workers 1n the rubber industry have shown that these workers experience excess deaths from certain types of cancers and from several other d iseases. A review o f the lite ra tu re reveals a wide range of diseases associated with employment in the rubber industry including cancers o f the bladder, prostate, cervix, lymphatic system, central nervous system, bowel, and stomach, as well as leukemia, heart disease and stroke. I t has been shown that fo r many o f these diseases, workers employed in the rubber processing divisions are a t the greatest r is k . The processing divisions include rubber compounding, mixing, m illin g, extrusion, calendaring, cement mix1ng8 and rubberized fab ric operations. In general, rubber processino workers are a t greatest risk fo r developing chronic respiratory d isease, cancers o f the stomach, large in te stin e , liv e r and b iliary passages, as well as leu- (Ha Rubber processing has been further broken down by researchers into front and back processing. A 1932 study showed that the risk fo r certain diseases i s different depending on the division in which a worker i s employed. Front processing workers are those who are involved in rubber compounding, mixing, and m ining. They are a t the greatest risk for cancers of the stomach and large in testin e. Back processing workers are involved in extrusion, calendaring, cement mixing, and rubberized fab ric operations. They have been found to be a t ' greater risk for leukemia and emphysema. Many o f the diseases associated with employment In the rubber industry have long laten t periods, meaning that i t may take many years a fte r an occupational exposure before a disease develops. For example, the latent period for prostate cancer is about 30 years. I t has been determined that workers a t the greatest r isk for contracting prostate cancer were employed in the rubber industry 3 between 1940 and 1947. Therefore, even though many poten tially hazardous chemicals are no longer being used, workers exposed years ago may s t i l l be a t risk for developing an occupationally-related d isease as a resu lt o f past exposures. I t should also be noted that studies have shown that SMOKING INCREASES THE RISK OF OCCUPATIONALLY-RELATED LU1G DISEASES. More research is needed to determine which chemicals used in the manu facture o f rubber products are the cancer causing agents and whether or not employment In certain departments 1s actually ca u sa l. HIRE AMD CABLE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES The following discussion examines the various processes Involved In the manufacture of e le c tric a l wire and cable and high ligh ts the major health hazards and methods o f control asso ciated with each V* WIRE DRAWING In the wire drawing p rocess, metal rods are reduced 1n diameter by pulling them through a se rie s o f in d u strial dies within a wire drawing machine. Often a se rie s o f machines containing dies o f decreasing s iz e i s required to reduce the rods to wire o f a desired thickness. Rods usually co n sist o f eith er copper or aluminum, however, alloys o f other metals are occasslonally used. Copper and aluminum as received a t the wire and cable plant present few health hazards. Some se n sitiv e individuals may develop derm atitis {a skin disorder) from handling copper ro d s, but this condition disappears when the exposure ceases. The wearing o f gloves i s an effective control measure. There appear to be few problems in terms o f chemical exposures during the wire drawing process. The only potential problem involves the use o f lubricants in the wire drawing machines to f a c ilita t e passage o f the wire through the d ie s. Lubricants are supplied in diluted form to each s e t o f dies by pumping action from a central reserv o ir. I t i s unlikely, however, that enough of the lubricants would become airborne under normal operating conditions to cause any adverse health e ffe c ts due to th e ir inhalation. I f inhaled in enough quantity, the fatty m aterials contained in some lubricants could cause lip oid pneumonia. Con tact derm atitis, or skin ir r it a t io n , is a p o ssib ility should the lubricants touch the skin. The wearing o f gloves and regularly cleaned work clothing should prevent th is problem. NOISE A major hazard involved in wire drawing, although not an air contaminant hazard, is noise. Excessive exposure to noise can cause permanent hearing impairment. Many plan ts have well over a hundred wire drawing machines which, without any controls, can produce noise levels well over the QSHA standard o f 99 dBA averaged over an 8 hour day. Noise levels can be reduced by fittin g the machines with sound absorbing enclosures, especially around the gear boxes. In addition , metal gears can be 4 . f replaced with nylon ones I f engineering controls are not su fficie n t and nois lev els s t m exceed the standard, workers should, be provided with some form of e ffe c tiv e , y e t comfortable, ear protection. I t nay be necessary to lim it the amount of time each worker spends in noisy areas. Pre-employment, as well as renular audiometric te sts (hearing t e s ts ) should be performed to determine whether or not workers are experiencing any hearing impairment. Other machines fo r which these controls minht also be apnlicable Include stranders and braiders which tw ist several strands o f wire together to make thicker more p liab le wire and cable. BACK INJURIES Another major hazard related to the wire drawing p ro ce sse s the p o s sib ility o f back injury from moving or redirecting heavy spools o f wire by hand. Back in ju ries account fo r most o f the lo s t work tine associated with employment 1n the wire and cable industry. Spools often weigh up to 1300 pounds and should be moved by f o r k lift . F o rk lifts should operate on natural or liquid petroleum gas rather than gasoline o r diesel fuel to avoid carbon monoxide build-up inside the plant. Carbon monoxide (CO) reduces the oxygen carrying canacity of the blood affectin g the a b ilit y to think and perform manual task s which can increase accidents. Inhalation o f enough CO can re su lt in death by asphyxiation. Where spools must be redirected by hand, metal p lates can be se t into the concrete flo o r to make i t e a sie r fo r workers to move the spools. In parts o f the plant where other heavy objects must be lifte d and where fo rk lifts are im practical, overhead mechanical h o ists on ceilin g tracks can be in stalle d . H oists that operate by suction can a lso be employed to l i f t heavy bags o f chemicals. TINUIM6 AMD ELECTROPLATING Before copper wire can be insulated with natural or synthetic rubber, i t i s usually necessary to apply a separator between the wire and the insulation. Examples of separators include cotton, paper, and tin . The separator serves several purposes. I t prevents the su lfu r vulcanizinq agent and other su lfu r ad d itives from tarnishing the copper and the cooper from deteriorating the rubber in sulation . The tin sep arator also f a c ilit a t e s subseouent soldering of the wire. There are two methods o f applying the tin separator on the wire: the "hot d ip " method, and electro p latin g. " HOT DIP" OR TirmilG ,. " hot me*bod requires passing the wire through a bath containinq liq u id flux and then through a bath o f molten tin . Since the flu x ' is not heated, there is l i t t l e chance fo r 1t to become an a ir contaminant hazard. The tin , on the other hand, is heated enouoh to cause i t to melt. While tin is not very to x ic , the inhalation of tin fumes nay cause the development of stannosis, u su ally a harmless accumulation o f tin in the luno tissu e. It is only rarely asso ciated with localized emphysema, a non-debilitating destruction of a ir sacs. 5 Despite the lack o f serious disease threat, local exhaust ventilation over the tin bath i s recommended. Enclosing the bath with a hinged canope hood i s the preferred method* This method also reduces energy costs by preventing heat from the bath from escaping Into the workplace and makes the work environ ment more thermally comfortable* Personal protective equipment should include face shield or goggles, leath er apron, and leath er boots to prevent the molten tin from coming 1n con ta c t with the workers* eyes and skin. Electroplating In the electroplating p ro cess, wire Is pulled through a series of chemical baths. Basic (or alk alin e) and acid baths containing such potentially toxic compounds as sodium hydroxide, su lfu ric acid, and hydrochloric acid, serve to clean the wire before i t p asses Into the electroplating tank,. Inorganic tin compounds Including sodium stan nate, stannous chloride, and stannous fluoride present in the electro platin g tank provide the source o f tin used to coat the wire, Since a ll o f the tanks are heated, fine airborne mists o f acid s, bases, and inorganic tin compounds are generated a t their su rfaces* Acids and bases are mucous membrane irrita n ts a ffe c tin g lungs as well as eyes. They may a Iso cause skin Irrita tio n and burns. A major danger from repeated inhalation of these chemicals i s inflammation o f the delicate lung tissu e that can, in time, lead to bronchitis or permanent irre v e rsib le lung tissue damage. Inorganic tin compounds have not been found to cause systemic effects from occupational exposures, however, some can cause skin and eye irrita tio n . This 1s prim arily due to the production o f acids and bases upon th eir reaction with w ater. Stannous chloride and water, for example, re su lts in the formation of a strong ac id , while sodium stannate and water resu lts in the formation of a strong base. Therefore, heated cleaning and electroplating tanks should be equipped with local exhaust v e n tila tio n . The use o f anti foaming agents and surfactants can be used to reduce m istin g. In addition to adequate ventilation , the worker should be provided with a face sh ield or goggles, rubber gloves, rubber apron, rubber boots, and regularly cleaned work clothing in order to avoid any contact with the chemicals. Showering a fte r each work sh ift i s strongly recommended. IHSULATIOH OF HIRE AMD CABLE Wire and cable products are insulated with one o f three types o f m aterials: asb e sto s, rubber, and p la s t ic . ASBESTOS Asbestos is the fibrous form o f certain s ilic a t e s . While not used quite as extensively now as in the p a s t , i t is s t i l l used by several firms as an in su la tin g material for wire and cable products due to i t s nonconbustible pro p e r t ie s . Asbestos may also be found as a contaminant in some tynes of ta lc , a rubber dusting agent. 6 I t cannot be emphasized enough that asbestos 1i a definite health hazard. In every major study o f asbestos workers, exposure to asbestos, regardless o f type, has produced excess mortality from lung cancer. The risk for lung cancer is the greatest among asbestos workers who smoke and appears to occur 10 to 20 years a ft e r the f i r s t exposure, peaking at about 30 years. Exposure to asbestos has also been shown to cause asbestosis (lung fib ro sis) as well as cancers on the membrane lining the lung (pleura) and abdominal organs (peritoneum) known as mesotheliomas. Symptoms o f asbestosis include shortness o f breath and some chest pain. A complete exposure history together with pulmonary function te sts and a chest x-ray are required for diagnosis. The control o f worker exposure to asbestos i s extremely important since reducing the exposure reduces the risk o f developing an asbestos-related d isease. Control o f asbestos exposure should be aimed at the prevention o f dust dispersion and include the enclosure o f storage, weighing, and mixing operations. Local exhaust ventilation should be provided wherever asbestos may escape into the workplace. The use o f face masks or a ir supplied respirators is recommended for high level exposures o f short duration. Whenever asbestos 1s used, regular monitoring o f dust lev els should be done. DEFINITIONS OF RUBBER AMD PLASTIC HATERIALS Rubber and p la stic m aterials consist o f natural and synthetic polymers which are organic compounds o f high molecular weight made up o f simpler molecules, or monomers, bonded together. Both rubber and p la s tic compounds are tech n ically considered p la stic m aterials. Rubber i s a thermosetting type of p la s tic m aterial, while "trad itio n al1* p lastics are thermoplastic m aterials. Thermo settin g m aterials require heat in order to be formed into a permanent shape and may not be reshaped. Thermoplastics also require heat 1n order to be formed into shape, however, they may be resoftened and reshaped i f heated again. RUBBER AND PLASTIC COKPOUNPIHC Before wire and cable products can be insulated with rubber and p la stic compounds, many poten tially toxic chemicals must be added to these basic com pounds in order to make them more su itab le as insulating m aterials. Host o f these chemicals are 1n fine powder fora and can present health hazards from in halation or ingestion. Many o f these compounds have been shown to cause adverse health effects in cluding irrita tio n o f eyes, respiratory tra c t, and skin , damage to lungs, U v er, and kidneys, as well as cancers o f various organ systems. The processes o f rubber and p lastic compounding require that chemicals which are stored in bags, drums, and bin s, be weighed, transferred, and dumped into large mixing machines. In the case o f rubber compounding, the mixing machines are known as banburies. P lastic compounding is done in various types of equipment including p i a s t i ficato rs. Many Rhode Island firms engaged in p la stic insulating purchase premixed compounds from custom mixers, however, a few o f the larger firms mix their own compounds. 1 Two opportunities e x ist fo r exposure to toxic chemicals during rubber and p la s t ic compound mixing: 3) during the in itial hand tran sfer f chemicals from storage containers to bins where they are weighed, and 2) when the contents o f the bins are dumped into the top o f the mixers. Since weighing and dumping operations are quite dusty, weighing stations and mixing machines should have local exhaust ventilation. I f particularly toxic chemicals must he scooped from bags or drums, workers should also wear the appropriate type of re sp irato r. The most effective way o f reducing chemical exposures during rubber and p la s t ic compounding operations i s to pump chemicals d irectly from th e ir storage containers Into the mixing machines. In cases where this Is not possible, conveyor systems which autom atically dump chemicals into mixers i s preferred over hand dunping. In addition to engineering controls and the use o f personal protective equipment lik e resp irators, gloves, and aprons, a'good way to minimize dust inhalation 1s to purchase and use additives 1n slab or oil-w etted form whenever available. Because o f the wide v ariety o f to x ic exposures during compounding, THERE SHOULD BE HO EATING OR SMOKING IH WORK AREAS. Clean work clothing should be used regularly, and showering before changing into str e e t clothes is strongly recommended. L isted below are examples o f chemicals used within the wire and cable industry which fa ll into the various categories of rubber and p la stic polymers and ad d itiv es. Beside each chemical name is a short summary o f i t s potential health e ffe c t s . This l i s t 1s by no means exhaustive, hut I t i s hoped that i t w ill be helpful in i t s e l f , and as a s t a r t for anyone wishing to further research health hazards associated with rubber and p la stic compounding chemicals. RUBBER POLYMERS A?!!? ADDITIVES Most rubber enters the wire and cable plant In neutral colored bales, some o f i t natural rubber, and some synthetic polymers such as acrylonitrile-butadiene, ethylene-jsropylene, and styrene-butadiene; polychloroprene or Neoprene (D , and Hypalon (R) arrive in bags in the fora o f chips. Many rubber monomers, including chloroprene and a c ry lo n itrile are considered to be hazardous to human health and are regulated by OSHA. Since only the polymeric fora of rubber compounds are used in the wire and cable industry and only trace amounts o f monomer should remain, health hazards from rubber polymers are thought to be minimal. Residual monomer has been monitored in several firms and not found to be a problem. S t i l l , sore research i s needed on the health e ffe c ts o f rubber polymers. Before rubber can be used as an Insulating m aterial, i t must be mixed with a variety of chemicals including f i l l e r s , pigments, ac ce lerato rs, antioxi dants and vulcanizing agents. 8 FILLERS F ille r s are Inert mineral powders which are added to rubber and p la s tic mixtures to provide stiffn e ss and hardness. They also serve as extenders which help decrease c o sts. The following are the f i l l e r s used most frequently in the wire and cablt industry. Carbon Black - The health effects o f carbon Mack are controversial. Some authorities regard 1t as a non-tox1c nuisance d u st, however, others believe i t may cause tran sien t and permanent lung damage, heart problems, and skin i r r i t a tion. I t has been shown that workers manufacturing the substance experienced excess lung fib r o s is , a hardening o f the lung t is s u e . Certain types o f carbon black contain cancer causing polycyclic hydrocarbons which are adsorbed onto i t during manufacture. Laboratory animal studies have demonstrated excess cancer from exposure. Human cancer studies are inconclusive. With multiple chemical exposures often the case, 1 t 1s d iffic u lt to determine whether or not carbon black is the causative agent. H1CSH recommends wearing fu ll body clothing including gloves, shoes and goggles when handling the m aterial. Calcium Carbonate (whiting) - Calcium carbonate i t s e l f i s non-toxic, however, i t is often treated with chemicals whose composition 1s not known. Clay - Depending on the geological origin o f the c la y , i t may contain cry stallin e s i l i c a . C rystallin e s ilic a refers to s ilic a whose molecules are in a fixed pattern as opposed to a random arrangement defined as amorphous s i l i c a . The Inhalation o f s i l i c a can cause s i l i c o s i s , a fibrous hardening o f the lung tissu e which is often d eb ilitatin g and sometimes fa t 1. Diatomaceous Earth - Diatomaceous earth, lik e c la y , may also contain cry stallin e s i l i c a , and th erefore, cause s i l ic o s i s . The s p e c ific type o f diatomaceous earth used by wire and cable firms should be evaluated fo r i t s crystallin e s ilic a content. Lead Oxides - Exposure to lead is one o f the more seriou s hazards associated with wire and cable manufacture. Lead is quite to x ic. I t can be ingested from con taminated hands, o r i f heated, inhaled as fumes. Lead i s eliminated from the body slowly so even small doses over time can build to toxic le v e ls. The main e ffe c t o f lead i s to interfere with the formation o f red blood ce lls that carry oxygen to the t is s u e s , resulting in anemia, fatigu e, and gastrointestinal problems. High body concentrations can cause nerve damage. Magnesium Oxide - Magnesium oxide is a white powder and considered to be a non-toxic nuisance d u st. However, high concentrations can cause the lungs' defense mechanisms to become overloaded. The inhalation of newly generated magnesium oxide fumes upon heating can cause metal fume fever and associated blood disorders. Metal Fume Fever is characterized hy sudden onset o f th ir st, a m etallic ta s te in the mouth, high fever, sweating, muscular aches, headache and general feelin g o f weakness. Symptoms may be delayed for in to 12 hours a fte r exposure and are usually worst on days following time away from work, for example, on Iionday a f t e r a nonworking weekend. Metal fume fever is not a chronic disease. All symptoms subside within 24 to 36 hours a fte r onset. There are no sp e cific te sts to detect i t and no treatment is known. Other oxides which cause metal fume fever include zinc, copper, and in some c a se s, cadmium, iron , tin , manganese, nickel, selenium, and antimony. 9 ' S ilic a - Most of the s i l i c a used 1n rubber 1s amorphous rather than crystalline and 1s regarded as a non-tox1c nuisance dust. However, the sp e c ific type o f s ilic a should be determined fo r each shop because cry stallin e s i l ic a can cause s i l ic o s i s , a fibrous hardening of the lung tissu e. Zinc Oxide - There appear to be few hazards from zinc oxide dust inhalation. In rare cases zinc oxide has caused eczema, a crackinn and scalin g o f the skin. I f heated.zinc oxide fumes may lead to metal fume fever described above, PIGMENTS AMD COLORANTS Azo Dves - Many azo dyes have been found to cause cancer o f the liv e r and bladder Tn animals. Benzidine Based Pigments - Benzidine 1s a recognized carcinogen and has been linked to bladder cancer 1n humans as well as liv e r , bladder,, and colon cancer In r a ts . I t may enter the body as the resu lt o f Inhalation,'-.Ingestion, or ab sorption through the sk in . Benzidine based pigments may contain sign ifican t amounts o f residual benzidine. They may also release benzidine when metabolized in the body. OSKA and NI05H have recommended discontinued use o f these dyes or at le a st reduction o f exposure to the lowest possible levels where discontinued use 1s not p ra c tic a l. The use o f liq u id s, pastes, and o1l-wetted forms of the dyes are preferable to pov/dered forms to reduce inhalation o f d u sts. Good ven tila tion should be provided whenever these dyes are In use. Cadmium Compounds - Cadmium compounds are recognized carcinogens and have \ been reported as` "caus1nn an increased incidence o f prostate cancer in men. In addition, they may cause ir r ita tio n o f lungs, coughing, chest pains, sweating, c h ills and weakness. Long term exposures may r e s u lt in destruction of lung tissu e ch aracteristic o f emphysema as well as damage to liv e r and kidneys. Chromates - Certain chromium compounds, including lead chromate and zinc chromate, are regarded as cancer causing agen ts, they may also cause skin disorders as vzell as liv e r and kidney damage. Lead Based Pigments - Examples o f lead based pigments include yellow and oranae pigments. See page 8 under Lead Oxides for further discussion o f le a d 's hazards. Perylene - Perylene i s highly toxic and a suspected carcinogen. Titanium Dioxide - Titanium dioxide i s a mild irrita n t that can cause sligh t fib ro sis PEPdening) o f the lung tissu e without disabling in ju ry . Potential hazards o f p ipien t use to workers can be reduced by the use of "color masterbatches% consistin g of physical mixtures o f a base rubber, o il, or wax with the required pigment. The additional co st of these nasterbatches is often ju stifie d by the cleaner environment that resu lts from th eir use. Adequate ventilation , glo v es, and protective clothing should be provided , a ?d pood personal hygiene observed when handling pigments" to avoid th eir inhala- i tion or ingestion on contaminated hands or smoking'rimterials. 16 ACCELERATORS A ccelerators, which are usually organic compounds, reduce the time necessary for the vulcanization or curing of natural or synthetic rubber while Improving aging and other physical properties. Diphenyl Guanidine (DPG) - Animal experiments suggest this accelerator is to x ic, but e ffe c ts on humans are unknown. Ethylene Thiourea (ETU) - This commonly used accelerator for Heoprene compounds has been the subject o f considerable Investigation as an industrial cancer risk. Studies have shown 1t causes cancer and birth defects 1n laboratory animals. The powdered chemical 1s no longer distributed for rubber use, but i t 1s s t i l l marketed as a "wetted powder" (o il-treated ) and also 1n combination with rubber materials forming a putty-Hke substance. The la tte r form would appear to be the safer o f the two, reducing both the chance of inhalation and ingestion o f ETU. Marcaptobenzothiazole (CAPTAX, M8T) - This commonly used accelerator has a very offensive odor, i s a ra t poison, and may also cause nausea and.'headaches. It is p articu larly ir r ita tin g to the eyes and may also cause skin irrita tio n and sensitization. Pentaerythritol (PE-200) - This Hypalon accelerator i s considered to be a nuisance dust o f low to x icity . ^ Elemental Tellerium (TELLOV) - Elemental tellerlum is an accelerator and vulcani zing agent. I t is o f relatively low to x ic ity , but may cause a garlic-lik e odor to the breath, drowsiness, and loss o f apetite. . Tetramethyl Thiuram Disulfide (TMTD, TUIRAH, THIURAD, TUEX, METHYL TUADS) - This chemical Is an Irrita n t to eyes and skin. Dermatitis in the form of ecz$na. has occurred on hands, forearms, and feet o f exposed workers. TKTD is closely related to Antabuse, a drug used to establish a conditioned re fle x o f a fear of alcohol in the treatment o f a lco h o lics, and therefore, may cause an adverse reaction upon consumption o f alcohol. The skin reaction portion o f th is reflex has been ob served in rubber workers who were exposed to TMTD a fte r drinking alcoholic bever ages. Further hazards such as U ver, kidney, and brain damage have been reported in experimental animals, but not confirmed in humans. In addition TliTD has been found to cause chromosomal damage in several biological systems. It may also adversely affect the activity of certain prescription drugs. Tetramethyl Thiuram Monosulfide (MONEX, UMADS) - Like T"TD, Honex is an irritan t to eyes and skin. I t may cause an adverse reaction with consumption o f alcohol and affe ct the a c tiv ity o f certain prescription drugs. I t has also been found to cause chromosomal damage in bacteria, but not in mouse lymphoma ce lls. Tetraethyl Thiuram D isulfide (ETHYL TUADS, ETHYL TUEX) - Ethyl Tuex is irritatin g to eyes, nose, throat and skin. Like TMTD and lionex, i t may cause adverse re actions with alcohol and some prescription drugs. A National Cancer Institute study concluded that i t is not carcinogenic, but that i t enhances the carcino genicity o f ethylene dibromide. Therefore, the two chemicals should not be used a t the same time. Zinc Dimethyldithiocarbanate (ZIRAM, VANCIDE) - This accelerator is irritatin g to eyes, nose, and throat. It has also caused cancer in mice and ra ts. .u- acce!erators which may be ir r it a tin g to eyes and skin include benzo- trnazyl disulfide, N-tert-butyl-z-benzothiazole sulfenamide, and butyraldhyde (VANAX). 11 ANTIOXIDANTS Antioxidants are organic compounds added to rubber to slow Its deterioration and retard the aging process. Nickel Di-H-Butyldithiocarbamate (NBC) - This antioxidant is very toxic and a recognized" carcinogen. A1pha-Naphthylamine - This antioxidant i s considered to be a local Irrita n t and to cause urinary bladder cancer. I t 1s readily absorbed Into the body via the skin and through Inhalation. Researchers have had d ifficu lty determining whether alphanaphthylamlne alone or I t s beta Impurities are responsible for the bladder cancers. Beta-Haphthvlami ne (BNA) - Beta-naphthyl amine 1s a recognized bladder carcinogen, and like a lpha- naphthyl amire, 11 1s readily absorbed through the skin and by in halation. There has been no production o f beta-naphthylamine In the U.S. in the past 10 years, and I t was banned In England in 1949. The use o f beta-naphthyl amine was widespread 1n both the U.S. and England in the 1940's. v Phenyl-Beta-Naphthyl am!ne (PBNA, NEOZONE D, AGERITE PONDER) - This antioxidant was developedTn the Isifl's to replace beta-naphthylamlne after studies linked I t to bladder cancer. Commercial PBNA Is not only contaminated with BNA, but in the body, PBNA i s metabolized to BHA. There have been no studies linking PBNA to cancer 1n humans, but one mouse study showed an increased incidence of liv e r tumors, and another found Increased incidence of a ll tumors. In 1973, 4 .9 million pounds of PBNA were produced in the U.S. Currently there is l i t t l e or no com mercial production. Workers who have been exposed to any o f the naphthyl amine antioxidants should have regular cytologic examinations o f the urine performed 1n order to detect early signs of bladder cancer. ADDITIONAL CHSUCALS USED IH THE MANUFACTURE OF RUBBER INSULATING MATERIALS Antimony Trioxide - Antimony trioxid e 1s used as a flame retardant and 1s a fa ir ly powerful Irrita n t of eyes, respiratory t r a c t , and skin. It causes a type of derma t i t i s known as "antimony spots" characterized by intense itching followed by skin eruptions. Antimony trioxide I s also a suspected carcinogen. Organic Peroxides - These chemicals are used as crosslinking agents for some types of ru bber,T h ey can cause skin irrita tio n and burns as well as severe eye damage. Organic peroxides tend to be unstable and fir e s or explosions can resu lt from Improper storage and handling. Many of these hazards can be minimized by using them in diluted form, such as 40% strength mixtures with clay. Solvents - Solvents are used in certain au xiliary wire and cable processes, for example, coating operations, bonding of rubber insulating materials to wire and cable, special cord se t operations, assembly and harness work. A wide variety of /*ri?ntSj are inelvding printing ink thinner (consisting of methyl ethyl ketone {iiEK) and cyclohexanone), also xylene, toluene, and acetone which are of low toxicity. Effects o f solvent exposure include headache, dizziness, drying of the skin, and eye irrita tio n . Areas where solvents are used should be well ventilated and If the processes should be enclosed i f possible. Workers should be provided with such personal protective equipment as goggles or g la sse s, gloves, and respirators for high exposures o f short duration Stearic Acid - S tea ric acid i s an accelerator or activator used in rubber com pounding. It is a white amorphous solid o f sligh t to xicity . Sul fur - Sulfur i s a vulcanizing agent and 1s of low toxicity . I f heated su ffic ie n tly it w ill emit irrita tin g sulfur oxide fumes. PLASTIC POLYMERS AND ADDITIVES The most commonly used p la stic polymers in the wire and cable 1ndusti7 are Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) - PVC resin 1s used as the b asis o f vinyl compounds and has been the subject o f considerable investigation. It 1$ produced through the polymerization o f vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), a gas, In 1974, VCM was found to cause a rare form o f liv e r cancer known as angiosarcoma 1n workers exposed to high concentrations. Subsequently, 1t was shown to cause cancer In animals as well. While industry has made tremendous strides in reducing the amount o f residual VCH in PVC resin s, some s t i l l remains. VCMmay be released from PVC in storage and more rapidly when 1t i s heated. Therefore, PVC should be stored and handled in v/ell ventilated areas. Whenever PVC is heated su ffic ie n tly t cause mass melting, OSHA regulations require th at the workplace be monitored for ambient concentrations of VCM to ensure they are In keeping with OSHA standards. Various lim its have been proposed for the residual VCM in the resin. Warning lab els statin g that PVC contains residual VCM, a cancer suspect agent, must be affixed to each package o f PVC resin, and I t is recommended that resin users re quest a statement o f the an aly sis of residual VCM from each prospective resin supplier. One o f the g reatest hazards associated with PVC, as with other p lastic compounds, occurs when 1t i s heated. When p la s t ic s , in general, are heated to su fficie n tly high temperatures, they emit potentially hazardous combustible and noncombustible gases as well as particulates. I f p la stic s are burned, they can create a tox ic atmosphere o f carbon monoxide and fumes o f other p la s tic decomposi tion products. These products d iffer depending on the type o f p la stic . For most p la s t ic s , the temperature at which decomposition products are released i s well above the soften in g temperature-the normal operating temerature for the production o f p la stic insulated wire and cable. This is true o f polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. Decomposition products o f these p la stic s include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water. The exception is PVC. Hydrogen cftlor-i.d 9as (HC1.) begins to be released from PVC a t normal operating tempera tures o f about 300-350r F. Appreciable amounts of HC1 are released upwards of 375 F. The major e ffe c ts o f acute exposure to HC1 are usually lim ited to irritation o f the upper respiratory t r a c t and are su fficie n tly severe to warrant prompt withdrawal o f persons from the area. Exposure to the gas immediately causes cough ing, burning o f the th ro at, and a choking sensation. Above 650'F, p lasticized PVC 13 may release other decomposition products Including carbon monoxide carbon di oxide, ethane, ethylene, benzent, toluene, and methane. Polyethylene - The toxicity and health e ffe c ts of polyethylene are unknown, a l though 1t Is a suspected carcinogen. I t 1s produced through the polymerization o f ethylene monomer, a gas, which is moderately narcotic, but o f low to x icity , few, 1 f any health problems would be expected as the result o f exposure to re sidual ethylene monomer at concentrations present in wire and cable manufacturing plan ts. Exposure to heated polyethylene mixed with other p la stic additives may resu lt 1n Irritatio n of eyes and respiratory tract due to two decomposition products: formaldehyde and acrolein. Polypropylene The toxicity o f polypropylene is not known. Propylene, which is used in the manufacture o f polypropylene, is a simple asphyxiant and anaesthetic. I t is doubtful that residual amounts o f propylene would cause a sig n ifican t health threat at concentrations present in the wire and cable industry, **1 Nylon - The health hazards associated with nylon are unknown.1' FILLERS Calcium Carbonate Clay Carbon Black Silica Fer a l l , see discussion under rubber f i l l e r s . PLASTICIZERS P lasticizers are used to make p la s tic s so ft and flexible. Pthalates - Pthalates are the most commonly used p la stic iz e rs, and generally are o f low acute to x icity . Prolonged exposure to hot mist or funss may produce i r r i tation to eyes, sk in , and mucous nrembranes. Pi-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) - This compound has been found to ba a liv er to x i cant in primates. Uhen i t is metabolized i t forms an extremely toxic agent. I t has been shown to have cummulative toxie e ffe c ts in mice. DEHP and dimethoxyphthalate have produced chromosomal damage and caused a n tife rtility e ffe cts in mice. Dimethyl, Dimethoxyethyl, Diethyl, Dibutyl, Dimethofcutyl, Dioctyl, Butylcarboxymethyl, and Di-2-chthylhoxyl phthalatas have caused teratogenic e ffe cts (birth defects) in animals. Trlcresylphosohate (TCP) - TCP is used infrequently and can ir r ita te isuc'' ; mem branes. Careless or fsr-.lcnged use ccn cause serious effects inducing ctriain types o f p araly sis. TCP is also a suspected carcinogen. 14 . STABILIZERS S ta b iliz e rs serve to prevent the decomposition of p la stic compounds and are among the most hazardous chemicals used in plastic compounding. Barium Compounds - Barium compounds are often combined with eith er lead or cadmium compounds into a sta b iliz e r "blend". The to x icity of the barium alone 1s not well known. Some soluble barium compounds are irrita tin g to eyes, nose, throat, and skin, and are toxic i f ingested, ' Bisphenol A (2,2 - b is (4 hydroxyphenyl propane)) - This s ta b iliz e r is of low toxicity", Fut can cause skin irrita tio n and is a serious hazard to eyes. It is suggested that workers who use i t wear goggles. Cadmium Compounds - Inhalation of dust or fumes from these chemicals may cause dryness o f the throat, cough, headache, shortness o f breath, and vomiting. In addition, cadmium compounds are recognized carcinogens o f the, connective tissu e , lungs, and U v er. Long term exposures may destroy lung tissu e , resu ltin g in emphysema. Cadmium based sta b iliz e r s are sometimes in liquid form, minimizing inhalation. lead Compounds - Exposure to lead sta b iliz e rs Is more hazardous than to m etallic lead or lead oxide because the powders are readily inhaled and deposited on the hands. Oil-wetted forms of the sta b iliz e rs provide a reduction o f inhalation, hazards and purapable slu r r ie s, 1 f equipment Is available to handle them, should eliminate most o f the exposure hazard. Health e ffe cts o f lead are covered on page 6 under Lead Oxides. Adequate ven tilation , attention to personal hygiene, the use o f regularly cleaned work clothing, and the prohabition of eating or smoking while working are indicated when sta b iliz e rs are used. PIGMENTS OR COLORAHTS See discussion on Rubber Polymers and Additives STRAIHII16 AND MILLIH6 After rubber compounding, the rubber i s sent to either a strain er extruder, which takes out im purities, or to a mill to be further m asticated, pressed, and cooled. In both machines the rubber compound is hot allowing poten tially hazardous v o latile components including any residual monomer, antioxidants, process o ils or waxes, accelerators, and peroxides to be released into the workplace. There fore, local ventilation i s recommended. Discussion o f health hazards associated with sp e cific chemical components of rubber insulating m aterials can be found in the section entitled Rubber Polymers and Additives. RU3BER DUSTIHG Dusting agents are commonly used to separate adjacent slabs o f mixed rubber as well as cured or uncured rubber insulated wire and cable. Frequently used dusting agents include ta lc , mica, and zinc stearate. 15 Talc (soapstone) - T alc, or powdered hydrous magnesium s i l i c a t e , Is frequently use? fo r both of the above mentioned purposes, and I ts use often leads to a ir contamination In the area, the amount depending on the method o f application. In the case of slab dusting, a1r contamination can be lessened by replacing ta lc with a "slab dip" or slurry consisting o f a clay or zinc ste a ra te suspension in water. Application of ta lc to rubber-covered wire 1s ordinarily done by passing the wire through a "talc-box", which should be covered a s well as possible to reduce the concentration o f talc. 1n the a ir . I t 1s well established that commercial ta lc s can contain su b stan tial amounts of asb estos* which Is a definite hazard to lungs, producing pulmonary fib ro sis and/or cancer. Certain grades of ta lc , however, contain l i t t l e or no asbestos. To determine the extent of the health hazard, i t i s important to determine the asbestos content o f the t a lc . Talc i t s e l f may cause pulmonary f ib r o s is . Mica - Mica i s occassionally used for dusting rubber In sulations, and while i t Is a nonfibrous s i l ic a t e , i t can cause chronic fib r o s is , a r e s t r ic tiv e lung disease characterized by chronic coughing, weakness and weight l o s s . Zinc Stearate - This white powder is sometimes used as a dusting agent for pur poses th at require i t s melting and absorption by thetubber. The inhalation of zinc ste a ra te can cause pulmonary fib r o s is . Adequate ventilation should be provided when these dusting agents are 1n use. RUBBER AHD PLASTIC EXTRU5I0H After the rubber and p la stic compounds have been made into su ita b le in sulating m aterials, they must be applied to the wire. This I s done primarily through the use o f some type of extruder. Insulation is applied eith er as a "single shot" integral insulation and ja c k e t, or as an insulation to be la te r combined with other "sin g les" into a multiconductor group and covered with an overall jack et. RUBBER EXTRUSION As the rubber Is being extruded onto the wire, i t i s cured in a continuous vulcanizing (CV) tube f ille d with high pressure steam. L ittle opportunity exists fo r inhalation of toxic chemicals in th is process since i t i s a ll enclosed. An altern ate method o f extrusion for some cables involves feeding both the cable and the rubber compound into a lead press which then ap p lies a lead sheath over the jack et o f the cable. The lead.press holds the rubber in a round shape and cures i t . In some cases the sheath i s l e f t on, while in others i t i s removed with a stripping machine, melted and reused la t e r . The stripping process releases small p a rtic le s o f lead into the workplace. These p articles can be inhaled or ingested from contaminated hands. Because the lead is heated in order to melt i t , exposure to lead fumes is another potential hazard. See discussion of lead hazards on page 8 under Lead Oxides. PLASTIC EXTRUSION P lastic compounds must be heated in the extruder before they can be forced around the Wire. In nonautomated systems, the head of the extruder s i t s at working level about 4 feet from the floor and is uncovered so that i t may be attended by. 16 the operator. As a result operators may be exposed to p la s t ic fumes. In automat ed systems p la stic compounds in the form of pellets are pumped directly into the extruder reducing exposures to p lastic chemicals, Even with automated systems fumes may escape into the workplace at the point where the newly insulated wire ex its the extruder. P lastic fumes from compounds heated to normal extrusion temperatures of about 300-350F con sist primarily of the p lasticizer portion o f the compound. Trace amounts o f monomer may be present and could be given o f f during extrusion, but I t would be expected that the mixing operation would have removed the major portion o f such v o la tile s. The m etallic s a lts present as s t a b iliz e r s should be fu lly Incorporated Into the compound and of no further concern a t th is point. The organic portions o f these sta b iliz e rs may, however, be released . Hydrogen chloride (HC1) gas can be evolved from vinyl compounds during ex trusion, although i t is expected that only small amounts o f HCt would be given o ff a t normal operating temperatures, There can also be exposure to purging compounds, usually ground p la stic m aterials, or styrene, which are used to dean extruder screws o f charred vinyl compounds. I f heated too high, these compounds can release p o ten tially toxic and irrita tin g fumes. The process of bleeding the machine o f a plastic compound o f one color to replace 1t with one o f another color also results in the re le ase of potentially toxic substances. Therefore, for the above mentioned reasons, i t is recommended th at p lastic extruders be equipped with local exhaust ventilation. SPARK TESTING Rubber insulated wire i s passed through a high voltage electrode 1n order to locate fa u lts in the insulation in a process called spark t e s tin g . 02one aas can be generated by the electrode, the amount depending on the voltage used. Under 10 KV would not produce much ozone, but higher voltages produce greater amounts-. I t 1s not lik e ly that much ozone would be produced during normal fau lt finding procedures since the dectrode does not spark continously and ozone i s s e lf destructing. Any ozone that would be generated would disappear fa ir ly quickly. However, when wire i s tested in the laboratory to determine the adequacy of the insulation, sig n ifica n t amounts of ozone may be released i f high voltage d ielectric testin g devices are le f t on fo r long periods o f time. Operators of the devices should not be in the area i f sign ifican t amounts o f ozone are generated, and they should not return u n til the ozone has been exhausted. Ozone - The e ffe c ts of ozone range from throat irrita tio n a t low concentrations t severe pulmonary edema (excess flu id in the lungs) a t high concentrations. Very high concentrations of ozone may cause bronchitis characterized by persistent' cough and excessive mucous production. In addition, animal experiments have shown that ozone a t lev els le ss than industrial health standards sign ifican tly a ffe c t the animals* antibacterial defenses. BRAZING The purpose o f brazing i s to join short lengths o f wire through the use of some type of heated flu x or solder. Th procedure takes about 1J* to 2 minutes for each braze and i s done approximately 10 to 20 times per day. Depending on the type of flux or solder used, brazing may re su lt in the release o f p oten tially toxic fumes. One conmonly used brazing material i s silv e r so lder which contains s ilv e r , zinc, and sometimes copper, b rass, flu orides and cadmium. S ilv er 1$ Irrita tin g to skin and mucous membranes and causes the skin to turn grey. However, I t 1s not know to cause d is a b ility . When heated, fumes o f zinc, b ra ss, and copper may cause metal fume fever described on page 8. These metals, as well as fluoride and cadmium, may be irrita tin g to skin , eyes, and respiratory t r a c t. Cadmium Is a recognized carcinogen and long term exposure may re su lt 1h destruction o f lung tissu e as well as liv e r and Kidney damage. Fluorides have the potential fo r causing permanent lung damage. Local ventilation a t the workbench 1s recommended to exhaust brazing fumes. Personal protective equipment should Include safe ty goggles or sh ield , and gloves to protect workers from sparks or spatterings o f brazing m aterials. IB MEDICAL MONITORING OF WORKER. HEALTH While many workers who are exposed to potentially hazardous substances w ill not develop a health-related problem, i t i s very important for exposed workers to seek medical attention. Medical monitoring o f worker health, can often detect problems early enough to prevent them from becoming debilitatin g or l i f e threatening. Since each worker I s exposed to different agents depending on the type o f job he/she does, there 1s no one set o f medical t e s ts which is su itab le for everyone. Because different exposures can resu lt 1n different health e ffe c ts, each worker should see h1s or her physician for an individualized medical examination. There a re , however, sp e c ific te sts which can be performed to detect problems arisin g from p articu lar exposures. 1) Anyone exposed to noise lev els in excess of OSHA standards, for example wire drawers should be given pre-employment audiometry (hearing t e s t s } to detect preemployment levels o f hearing Impairment followed by annual audiometric te sts to determine subsequent lev els of Impairment. 2) Pre-employment medical evaluations are advisable for workers who w ill be exposed to pulmonary Irrita n ts or agents causing pulmonary fib ro sis such as asb esto s, t a lc , mica, zinc stearate , s i l i c a (fo r example in clay or diatomaceous earth ), and carbon black. The purpose o f these evaluations 1s to determine the existence o f pre-employment pulmonary disease and to provide baseline data for future medical t e s t comparisons. A chest X-ray a ft e r one year o f employment i s recommended to detect workers having early reactions to pulmonary irrita n ts and fib ro tic agents. The frequency o f subsequent chest X-rays 1s controversial with recommendations ranging from 3 to $ years. In addition to periodic chest X-rays, annual Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT' s ) should be performed on workers exposed to these substances. 3} Workers exposed to poten tial carcinogens should have thorough annual medical evaluations. These evaluations should include a complete blood count, a stool examination fo r the detection o f occult blood, and a u rin aly sis. In p articu lar, workers exposed to the following substances should have sp e c ific te sts performed. a) Asbestos - Chest X-Ray, Pulmonary Function T ests, Sputum Cytology. Special attention should be paid to the pulmonary, g astro in te stin a l, and cardiovascular systems. b) Benzidine, Azo Dyes, Naphthylamines - Annual Cytoscopy o f the Urine. Special attention should be paid to people who are taking ste ro id prepara tio n s, cytologic drugs, or who smoke o r are pregnant since they have an increased risk o f contracting bladder cancer. 19 c) Cadmium - Pulmonary Function T e sts, Chest X-Ray, U rinalysis with a quantitative analysis o f protein in the urine. Special attention should be paid to the pulmonary and urinary systems. d) Chromates - Chest X-Ray, Pulmonary Function T ests, U rinalysis. Special attention should be paid to the skin as well as the pulmonary and urinary systems. e) Nickel Compounds - Chest X-Ray.- Special attention should be paid to the examination o f the nasal c a v itie s , skin and pulmonary system. 4} Workers who are exposed to lead should receive annual physical examinations with special attention paid to the central nervous system as well as the gastro in te stin a l, urinary, and circulatory systems. Annual t e s ts such as a complete blood count, u rin aly sis, and blood lead Free Erythrocyte Protoporphyrin Testshould be performed. For more Information about medical surveillance procedures, Individual workers, unions, and management are encouraged to c a ll one o f the following occupational health medical testin g f a c i l i t i e s in the greater Providence area. 1) Rhode Island H osp ital's Industrial and Environmental Medicine Clinic Providence, Rhode Island Andrew Rosner - C lin ic Coordinator (401) 277-5723 2) Program o f Occupational Medicine Brown University Michael Passero, H.D. - Director (401) 456-2060 3) Occupational Health Service, Sturdy Memorial Hospital Attleboro, Massachusetts Robert McCunney, M,D. - Medical Director (617) 222-5200 Ext. 3294 or 3295 4) The Rhode Island Poison Center, Rhode Island Hospital Providence, Rhode Island (401) 277-5727 WIRE AHO CABLE REPORT AUTHORS, REVIEWERS AND INFORMATION SOURCES The principal authors are Robert Jones Program Associate* Rhode Island Lung Association and Marilyn Vine, candidate for t e s te r 's Degree in Public Health, Yale University. Technical guidance regarding wire and cable chemistry and processes was provided by Gilbert Enser. While the responsibility for content is that o f the lung Association, many knowledgeable Individuals supplied information and/or reviewed report drafts fo r accuracy. We acknowledge the contributions made by the following: labor Union Representatives Teresa Asselin United Steel Workers o f America, local 6224 M iller Electric Co, Woonsocket, RI David Barbosa United Rubber Workers, local 339 Kaiser Aluninum and Chemical Corp. Portsmouth, RI John Donahue International Brotherhood o f E lectrical Workers, local 1098 ColIyer Insulated Wire Co. Lincoln, RI James Kearns Internationa! -Brotherhood o f E lectrical Workers, local 1196 -= ITT Royal E lectric Pawtucket, RI Manuel Pimental International Brotherhood o f E lectrical Workers, Local 1780 R .I. Insulated Wire Co. Cranston, RI Thomas Steele International Brotherhood o f E lectrical Workers, Local 1542 Narragansett Wire Co. Pawtucket, RI Industrial Management Representatives John Hutton ITT Royal Electric Pawtucket, RI Milton Lyons Narragansett Wire Company Pawtucket, RI Apex Alkali Products Company Philadelphia, PA Associated Lead, Inc. Philadelphia, PA E. I . Dupont De Nemours and Co., Inc. Wilmington, Del. G. Whitfield Richards Co. Philadelphia, PA Hercules Inc. Wilmington, Del. R. T. Vanderbilt Co., Inc. Norwalk, Conn. Uni royal Chemical Naugatuck, Conn. Ware Chemical S tratford , Conn. 21 Other Reviewers and Information Sources Charles Andrews P.E, Air F ilte r Systems East Providence SO Sidney Braman, HD Director, Division o f Pulmonary Diseases Rhode Island Hospital Providence, RI Steven Cohen, SID Yale University New Haven, Conn. William H. Corrao, HD Director of Pulmonary Function Laboratory Division o f Pulmonary Diseases Rhode Island Hospital Providence, RI Grace Donnelly, Ph.D. Biospec Inc. Providence, RI Germaine Dennaker RI Cancer Control Program Providence, RI G ilbert Enser Lincoln, RI James Hickey RI Dept, o f Health Division o f Occupational Health Providence, RI John T. Kaemmerlen, HD Veterans Administration Medical Center Providence, RI Cathy Kiley, MD Roger Williams General Hospital Office a t Olneyv ille Providence, RI Herbert Kilgus RI Dept, o f Health Division o f Occupational Health Providence, RI Horace Martin, HO Rhode Island Hospital Division of Pathology Providence, RI James Nelson The Travelers Insurance Companies Providence, RI Michael Passero, HD Roger Williams General Hospital Division o f Allergy and Occupational Medicine Providence, RI John P ella, HD St. Joseph's Hospital Pulmonary Division Providence, R! Margaret QuinnV. Harvard School o f Public Health Occupational Health Program Cambridge, HA Peter Roggf Shawnee Chemical Company Plalnsboro, NJ Barkev Slroonian U.S. Dept, o f Labor -- OSHA Boston, ?!A David Snapp RI Committee on Occupational Safety and Health Providence, RI EIHs Sokolov, P.E. Eco-Systems, Inc. Providence, RI Wes Straub National In stitu te for Occupational Safety and Health Boston, HA Nicholas Tsiongas, HD Kent County Memorial Hospital Warwick, RI Robert Ueisberg, Ph.D Midland Chemical Company Central F a lls, RI References Arnaud, A.."Polyvinyl Chloride Pneumoconiosis," Thorax, 1978, 33, 19*25. Babbit, RobertO. e d ..The Vandertilt- Rubber Handbook. Norwalk: R.T. Vanderbilt Company, Inc. 1978. Brumbaugh, James E .. Welders Guide. Theodore Audel and Company; Indianapolis, 1973. Chest. 1980 78:2 Aug. Suppl. p. 374 Clayton, 6. and Clayton, F. e d s ..Patty' s Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 3rd Revised e d .. Hew York: J . Wiley and Sons, In c., 1981. Cordasco, .11. M.D. et a l . . "Pulmonary Manlfestions o f Vinyl and Polyvinyl Chloride {In te rstitia l Lung Disease)" Chest, 78:6, December 1980, 828-834. "Cutting Oils and Coolants are Chief Culprits in Worker Skin Problems", Occupa tional Health and S a fe ty .. Sep t. 1976, p, 16-21. y. Davies, Joan M., M.A. Oxon, Dip. P .S.A .. "Bladder Tumors in the Electric-cable Industry, * Lancet, 2 143-146* D elzell, Elizabeth S.D. and Richard R Konson, M.D,. "M ortality Among Rubber Workers: V. Processing Workers," Journal of Occupational Medicine, vol. 24, no. 7, July 1982, 539-545 Eckardt, Robert E, M.D. Ph.D. and Richard Hlndin. "The Health Hazards of P la s t ic s ," Journal of Occupational Medicine. Vol. 15 Ho. 10 October 1973* 808-819. Fox, A .J. e t. a l . . "A Survey o f Occupational Cancer 1n the Rubber and Cablemaking Industries: Results of five-year analysis, 1967-1971," B ritish Journal of o f Industrial Medicine. 1974 , 31, 140-151. Fox, A .J. e t a l ., "A Survey o f Occupational Cancer In the Rubber and Cablemaking Industries: Analysis o f Deaths occuring in 1972-1974," B ritish Journal o f Industrial Medicine. 1976, 33, 249-264. Gloag, Daphne. "Asbestos, can i t be used safe ly ?", B r itish Medical Journal. Vol. 232o 14 Feb. 1981, ------------------------------ Goldsmith, David F. H.S.P.H. e t a l . . "A Case Control Study o f Prostate Cancer Within a Cohort o f Rubber and Tire Workers," Journal o f Occupational Medicine, Vol 22 Ho 8 August 1980* 533-541 ,, ~ ~ ------- -------- ------ -------------- Hamilton, A, and H. Hardy, Industrial Toxicology. Acton: Publishing Sciences Group, 1974.. International Labor O ffice, Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. McGraw Hill Book Company: New York, 1972. Key, Marcus M. e t .a l. eds. Occupational Diseases - A Guide to Their Recognition. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, 1977. L i l i s , Ruth, M.D. "Vinyl Chloride and Polyvinyl Chloride Exposure and Occupational Lung Disease," Chest. 78:6, December, 1980, 826-827.