Hazard-evaluation and technical-assistance report No. TA-77-66, Platte Chemical Company, Fremont, Nebraska

In response to a request from the Platte Chemical Company, Fremont, Nebraska, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the site. At the time of the survey the company employed about ten persons. There was one large production line that processed several tons of granular product or pesticide per day. Four or five workers were employed in the production of a liquid product identified as a seed protectant and nutrient mixture. Employees in the granular facility were exposed to concentrations of S-(((1,1-dimethylethyl)thio)methyl)-0,0-diethyl-phosphorodithioate in excess of the environmental criteria. Heptachlor exposures in the seed protectant area were also in excess of environmental criteria. Employees were exposed to excessive levels of aliphatic solvents, benzene, captan, diazinon, and organophosphates. There was a potential exposure to free silica in the granular facility. A significant number of workers reported acute symptoms probably due to excessive pesticide and dust exposures. The authors recommend that immediate action be taken to lower potential exposures by providing improved engineering controls and practices at this site.