﻿ NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search - 00209879 - Health hazard evaluation determination report: HHE-81-000-113, Martin-Marietta Cement, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Health hazard evaluation determination report: HHE-81-000-113, Martin-Marietta Cement, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In response to a request from the United Cement, Lime, Gypsum and Allied Workers Union Local 421, an investigation was made of possible health hazards occurring from the burning of high sulfur coal which exposed workers to sulfur-dioxide (7446095), carbon- dioxide (124389), and hydrogen-sulfide (7783064) at Martin-Marietta Cement (SIC-3241), Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mail questionnaires were sent to employees prior to a hazard survey, and were followed up with medical interviews focusing on neurological symptoms, syncope, strokes, chest pain, and mucous membrane irritation. Environmental samples were collected for sulfur-dioxide, sulfates, sulfites, carbon-monoxide (630080), nitrogen-dioxide (10102440), and hydrogen- sulfide, and measured predominately in work areas near the back end of the kiln. Eighteen of 29 questionnaire respondents and 20 of 21 interviewed workers reported mucous membrane irritation compatible with sulfur-dioxide exposure. Kiln exhausts escaping from baghouses were releasing sulfur-dioxide into the facility. Sulfur-dioxide concentrations were 1.2, 1.8, and 1.7 parts per million (ppm) in the kiln baghouses, kiln feed building, and on top of the raw silos, respectively. The NIOSH recommended limit for sulfur-dioxide was health hazard did exist at the time of the survey, and recommend that controls be implemented to minimize sulfur-dioxide exposure in the facility.