Harley-Davidson had to halt all production at its Pennsylvania and Kansas City motorcycle plants due to health concerns over a paint chemial. According to Harley spokesman Michael DiMauro, a supplier alerted the company that the paint it uses to coat motorcycle parts could expose workers to benzene.
For those of you who got the "Gentleman's C" in chemistry, benzene is a highly flammable and colorless liquid with a sweet smell. It also happens to cause cancer and other health problems. DiMauro says that initial tests show that benzene exposure was a definite possibility in the plants' paint shops. Further tests are being conducted to determine the level of exposure.
The plants were shut down on Thursday and continued to be closed through the Friday business day. DiMauro is hopeful that the plants will both reopen Monday.
