Annual report of the Department of Public Health and the Central Board of Health / South Australia.

  • South Australia. Department of Public Health.
Date:
[1967]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Department of Public Health and the Central Board of Health / South Australia. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/48 (page 18)
    Air sampling was also carried out at the larger battery manufacturers in the Adelaide metropolitan area. In the factory having one of the largest production rates, lead in air concentrations were excessive in association with some processes. The company concerned was aware of the situation and was endeavouring to correct the fault. In the remaining firms, lead in air concentrations were found to be satisfactory. Following a request from a trade union, air sampling was conducted to determine the exposure of personnel repairing rail trucks which had been used for the carriage of lead concentrates. It was found that high concentrations of lead in air were generated during the processes of welding of metal parts and repairing of woodwork. Recommendations for protection of the operators while carrying out the above work were made. In addition, advice was given to ensure that the lead contaminated wood did not cause health hazards during disposal. (ii) Benzene Although a number of inspections was made during the year to determine the extent to which benzene was used in South Australia, little progress was made with air sampling to evaluate occupational hazards from this air contaminant. Unfortunately because of the pressure of other commitments little time could be found to prepare equipment and organize sampling to be carried out by non technical personnel. Inspection of these industries during the survey has resulted in a greater awareness of the danger of benzene poisoning and in some instances has led to substitution by a less toxic solvent. (iii) Electroplating, Heat Treatment, Anodizing and Degreasing This survey was initiated to determine the occupational exposure to chemical contaminants in the above processes. The survey was concluded late in the year, and the facts obtained are being assessed. A more detailed inspection was made at one plating shop to determine likely causes of a case of dermatitis. Following this, appropriate recommendations regarding safe handling of materials were made. (iv) Carbon Tetrachloride A survey to determine the occupational exposure of persons using carbon tetrachloride and more particularly those engaged in maintaining and using carbon tetrachloride fire extinguishers was under¬ taken late in the year. A programme of air sampling was drawn up and this will be carried out early in the next year. It is also intended to determine the amount of the decomposition product phosgene present as well as carbon tetrachloride under conditions of use. (v) Artificial Fertilizers Further work was carried out to assess fluoride fumes evolved during the manufacture of super¬ phosphate at a' large factory in the Adelaide metropolitan area. As a result, it was considered that operators would not be occupationally exposed to hazardous concentrations. Air sampling was also conducted at another factory in which it was found that at one particular location excessive fluoride fumes occurred. Further tests will be made when the company has carried out proposed alterations. (vi) Foundry Fumes As the result of a request from the Federated Moulders (Metals) Union of Australia, through the Department of Labour and Industry, a series of prolonged air samples was taken in three foundries employing consumable polystyrene patterns to determine possible health hazards. Samples were also taken in foundries using conventional sand moulds. The results indicated that the concentrations of known carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons were not significantly higher in the foundries using con¬ sumable polystyrene patterns. Sampling was also conducted to determine occupational exposure to formaldehyde fumes resulting from the use of a sand binder at another foundry. Concentrations were found to be below the appropriate threshold limit value. (vii) Welding Occupational exposure to fluoride and manganese were determined in a large workshop. This allayed union fears that the submerged arc process subjected a welder to excessive concentrations of these air contaminants. In another instance, carbon monoxide levels were recorded during carbon dioxide welding at a factory. Concentrations in air in all cases were well below the threshold limit value. As a result of a union complaint, extensive air sampling has been planned to determine whether welding on steel surfaces, primed with proprietary paints, results in a hazard to health. (viii) Solvents During the year six investigations were made on the use of solvents. In four instances paint thinners were considered. Measurement of ventilation was involved in three cases, measurement of vapour concentrations in two, and analysis of the solvents only, in the other. The last investigation concerned the use of hexane and ether in an analytical laboratory. In one case, where trichlorethylene concentrations were measured during a cleaning process, it was recommended that more adequate ventilation should be provided. In the other cases, it was considered that the concentrations of solvent vapour present would not be harmful to health. (ix) Service to the Australian Stevedoring Industry Authority Assistance was requested on 16 occasions by the Waterside Workers’ Federation through the Australian Stevedoring Industry Authority. Eight of these requests concerned irritating odours either in the cargo or part of a previous cargo. In one instance, a large spillage of toluene di-isocyanate had occurred. Recommendations for personal protection of personnel and for decontamination of the spillage before waterside workers recommenced work were made.