Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-90-170-L2053, Johnson Junior High School, Laramie County School District Number 1, Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Source
Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 90-170-L2053, 1990 Jul; :1-14
Abstract
In response to a request from the Superintendent of Schools in the Laramie County School District Number 1, an investigation was made of possible hazardous exposures to workers at the Johnson Junior High School (SIC-8211), Cheyenne, Wyoming. Teachers began reporting problems in the school shortly after they occupied the building in 1983. The most common problems included runny nose, hoarseness to the point of losing the voice, upper respiratory problems, and eye irritation. Airborne fiberglass (14808607) concentrations were not high, but fiberglass dust was visible on surfaces. The ventilation system was found to be supplying sufficient quantities of air, except in one room. Air in the halls in the new wing was too cold. An inspection of the ventilation system revealed that there was a general deterioration of the fiberglass lining inside the ducts. Emissions generated from the metals shop were not being adequately vented as illustrated by high formaldehyde (50000) levels, smoke emission and odors. Storage of chemicals in the Technical Arts Room lacked proper ventilation to control volatile solvent emissions into the area. The authors recommend that the fiberglass lined ducts should be replaced, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system should be adjusted, water damaged ceiling tiles should be replaced, local exhaust ventilation should be installed in the Metals Shop, and the school system should develop a Hazard Communication Program.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-90-170-L2053; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-8; Indoor-air-pollution; Office-workers; Teaching; Ventilation-systems; Indoor-environmental-quality
CAS No.
14808-60-7; 50-00-0
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
NTIS Accession No.
PB91-115741
Identifying No.
HETA-90-170-L2053
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
