Protecting workers who clean up hazardous waste sites

On April 21, 1980, an explosion and fire among the 40 000 drums of unlabeled chemical wastes at the former site of Chemical Control Corporation in Elizabeth, New Jersey, attracted national attention and raised serious concern about the health and safety of workers who would be called upon to clean up the disaster site. Evaluation of workers' exposure during clean up operation and an assessment of the level of respiratory protection needed were necessary. NIOSH conducted 8 days of air monitoring. The chemicals of concern were organic vapors, metals, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, cyanide compounds, and dioxins (TCDD). No excessive exposure to chemical substances by inhalation was found. However, continuous use of respiratory protective equipment and other personal protective devices was necessary because of frequent drum ruptures.