| Wed, Jun 12, 2002
Stevens Point Journal Amherst uncovers little mold in school By Barbara Martin
Journal staff Tomorrow River School District has no widespread mold contamination, but its ventilation problems continue to create health issues for students and teachers, an industrial hygienist said.
"We really did not find any kind of widespread problem at all," said John Reiter of Kisco Inc., Menomonee Falls.
Reiter was hired to check the Amherst schools for the presence of mold in response to teacher, parent and student concerns about the possibility of fungi.
Some classrooms have isolated problems due, in part, to old leaks that have left ceiling tiles discolored, Reiter said. Maintenance employees simply need to fix the water problems and get rid of the discolored ceiling tiles, he said.
Superintendent Joe Reed said the district won't need to bring in outside contractors. "We don't have a sick building," he said. "There are individual rooms that have problems."
The presence of some mold in those rooms could be linked to things such as aquariums and plants and are not indicative of a larger problem, Reiter said.
However, Reiter did take note of the building's ventilation problems in some classrooms.
"There are some ventilation problems that need to be addressed," he said. "They do have some areas where not enough fresh air is coming in."
The district has been cited by state inspectors because the air flow is inadequate in some classrooms. The problem must be corrected by Sept. 3 or the district faces the possibility of daily fines.
Resolving the air flow in the school is among the items to be addressed if voters approve on July 9 a pair of referendum questions totaling $4.4 million. The first question seeks $2,485,000 to pay for improvements to the heating and ventilation system, among other projects
The second question seeks $1,915,000 to pay for a building addition housing three science classrooms and expanded offices for the elementary and middle school principals.
The district paid Reiter $5,130 to search for mold in the school. Martin can be reached at 344-6100, Ext. 2517, or at barbara.martin@cwnews.net. Return to table of contents Wed, Nov 17, 2004 Hexavalent chromium Kisco, Inc. has been asked to conduct personal air monitoring for hexavalent chromium at a number of plating shops in Wisconsin. These requests have been made primarily because of OSHA's proposed revised rule on hexavalent chromium.
The October issue of the Federal Register included a notice of proposed rulemaking by OSHA for occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium.
OSHA is suggesting lowering its permissible exposure limit (PEL) for hexavalent chromium and all its compounds from 52 micrograms hexavalent chromium per cubic meter of air (52 µg/m3) to 1 µg/m3 as an 8-hour time-weighted average, and adds requirements for controlling exposure to hexavalent chromium, respiratory protection, clothing, and equipment, medical surveillance, hazard communication, hygiene areas, and recordkeeping.
A significant source of hexavalent chromium in the plating industry is chromic acid, used to apply chromium to surfaces for corrosion protection or appearance. Chromic acid in plating tanks is often agitated, increasing the misting and release of chromic acid into the air.
Hexavalent chromium is also present in chemicals used in other industries including paints and coatings, and as catalysts in chemical manufacturing and synthesis. Exposure to hexavalent chromium may also occur when welding or cutting stainless steel or chrome plated or painted products.
The health effects of hexavalent chromium from occupational exposure may include lung cancer, nasal septum ulcerations (chrome holes), asthma, skin ulcerations, and irritant or allergic contact dermatitis.
If your production operations include the use of hexavalent chromium in paints or coatings, plating (or chromating) solutions, or welding and cutting on stainless steel or chrome plated or coated steel, you should be aware of OSHA's rulemaking process and how the proposed PEL may affect your occupational health and safety program.
The 30 day comment period ends January 3, 2005, and OSHA will hold an informal public hearing in Washington, DC, beginning February 1, 2005. For more information, visit the OSHA website, www.osha.gov. Return to table of contents Tue, Mar 8, 2005 Natural Rubber Latex Sensitivity While much of the furor regarding natural rubber latex sensitivity has diminshed due to better quality control, rinsing, other production controls during latex product manufactguring, and appropriate safeguards where latex products are used, latex sensitivity remains an issue primarily in health care settings.
In 2002, John Reiter, Kisco, Inc. Certified Industrial Hygienist, was provided the opportunity to present an industrial hygiene perspective on latex sensitivity at the Natural Rubber Latex Sensitivity Conference in San Francisco, CA, along with an expert panel of more than 30 medical doctors, PhDs, and other professionals.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology printed a Supplement to their Journal in August 2002 which included the proceedings of this conference, and articles developed from the research and presentations at that conference. Mr. Reiter's article abstract may be reviewed here.
As a result of this participation and publication, Mr. Reiter was also a guest speaker at the October 2003, Michigan Industrial Hygiene Society (MIHS) Annual Mini-Conference, invited to discuss the ACGIH Notice of Intended Changes introducing a TLV for latex rubber. Return to table of contents Fri, Dec 3, 2004 Benzene Sub ppm concentrations of benzene may cause significant blood changes. So reports Paul Reger, an AP reporter, in an article that the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel ran on page 9A, Fri, Dec 3, 2004. The article indicates that occupational exposure to concentrations of benzene below the current OSHA limit of 1 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted avererage, may cause blood changes such as a "steep decline in white blood cells." The article cites an article in the journal Science as its source. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article can be found at www.jsonline.com.
Seethe full article in Science, Vol. 306, No. 5702 Return to table of contents Tue, Nov 30, 2004 Hexavalent chromium sample results Due mainly to the proposed OSHA revised rule for hexavalent chromium, Kisco, Inc. has conducted a number of personal air samples for hexavalent chromium in plating shops and in-house chromating operations in the Wisconsin area. Many of the sample results are now being returned from the laboratories.
While Kisco cannot reveal the names of the businesses where samples have been collected, we can say that more than 95% of the sample results to date have been less than the lower level of detection, and well below the proposed hexavalent chromium PEL of 1 µg/m3.
Samples have been collected of plating line operators and individuals working around or near the chomic acid tanks, such as rackers and inspection personnel, overhead crane or hoist operators (pendant or radio controlled).
While the primary focus of the new rule is the presence and concentration of hexavalent chromium workers are potentially exposed to via inhalation, the proposed rule also addresses surface contamination and hygiene issues. To this end, some concern has been raised about the amount of hexavalent chromium that could be released from surfaces (eg. chromium on aluminum prior to painting) onto hands during handling of the chrome coated parts. Kisco has performed a number of studies involving transfer of chromium from coated surfaces to hands. For more information on this aspect of industrial hygiene monitoring, please contact Kisco, Inc. Return to table of contents Tue, Mar 8, 2005 Texas Mold Regulations For a number of years, Texas has been in the forefront of the mold issues, including legislation. Texas has now passed legislation requiring all companies or individuals who perform mold-related activities to obtain appropriate licensing from the Department of State Health Services. These regulations took effect in January, 2005.
The regulations set minimum work standards and include a code of ethics which prevent a contractor or individual form performing both an assessment and remediation. Additional requirements include meeting certain qualifications, havinfg appropriate training, and passing a state exam to receive a license. The standards do not apply foer work involving les than 25 contiguous square feet of surface area affected by mold.
For more information, see www.tdh.state.tx.us/beh/mold/ Return to table of contents | | |
| Fri, Jan 28, 2005 1-bromopropane (n-propyl bromide) According to research from the University of Utah, an organic solvent intended to replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and is "environmentally friendly,"is a potentially significant health risk. The compound, 1-bromopropane (1-BP), or n-propyl bromide, used as a solvent degreaser and adhesive solvent, may cause neurological effects including weakness that may affect walking and stability, severe pain in feet and legs, and severe headaches. Some of these effects may be permanent.
There are no OSHA standards or ACGIH TLVs for 1-BP (though it does have a listing in the ACGIH Notice of Intended Changes). Toxicological tests on rats indicate that peripheral nerve and spinal cord damage may occur from exposure to 1-BP. Experience from use of this product in Asia and Russia indicates that workers have experienced neurological symptoms from exposure to 1-BP.
In the absence of an OSHA standard, the EPA is currently studying the health effects of exposure to 1-BP. Some experts recommend reducing exposure to 25 ppm or less, and others indicate that exposure should be reduced to as low as possible. The ACGIH, in its 2004 Notice of Intended Changes, suggests a TLV® of 10 ppm. As with all solvents, proper local exhaust ventilation is the best solution for reducing worker exposure, and respirators may be used.
For more information on monitoring for this compound, the applicability of recommended exposure limits, and appropriate control measures, contact Kisco, Inc. In related news, a federal district court in Macon, Georgia (November 26, 2004), ruled that the Threshold Limit Values® prepared by the ACGIH are not commercial or government speech, and are therefore protected under the First Amendment. The International Brominated Solvents Association, Aerosafe Products, Inc., and National Mining Association sought a tempoary restraining order against ACGIH when the ACGIH proposed adopting and publishing a new TLV for 1-bromopropane and three other compounds, copper, crystalline silica, and diesel particulate matter. UPDATE - 1-bromopropane is now listed in the 2005 TLVs in the Adopted Values section, with a TLV of 10 ppm. The TLV Basis-Critical Effect(s) lists Neurotoxicity; hepatotoxicity, reproductiove; and developmental. Return to table of contents Fri, Apr 8, 2005 Noise exposure linked to increased risk of death from myocardial infarction A January 2005 article in Epidemiology indicates that exposure to excessive noise may increase potential for acute myocardial infarction death. The article reported on a study of over 25,000 lumber mill employees and past employees over a 45-year period of time, that indicated the number of deaths from excessive noise may have been twice the number which occurred from workplace accidents over the same period of time.
The greatest risk for cardiovascular deaths from excessive noise was for those individuals who were chronically and cumulatively exposed to noise and for those individuals still working in noisy environments. Individuals who have retired or otherwise moved to less noisy areas or activities are apparently at less risk. An exposure-risk trend was present, and smoking did not appear to confound these associations.
For more information about noise, noise exposure, and noise controls, contact Kisco, Inc. Return to table of contents July 15, 2005
GM Today No mold or bacteria problem found in science wing at Brookfield Central
Testing reveals several ‘hot spots’ need cleaning By LINDA McALPINE - GM Today Staff BROOKFIELD- The 33-page report on environmental testing done in the science wing at Brookfield Central High School after two teachers and a staff member developed a rash held no surprises for David Ross, district director of facilities management.
"The results were exactly what I expected," he said Wednesday of the report issued by Kisco Inc. of Menomonee Falls.
The results show none of the conditions found in the 10 classrooms tested are indicative of a widespread mold or bacteria problem, the report concluded.
None of the moisture measurements taken in the rooms showed the presence of water-damaged materials that would be conducive to mold growth.
Tests did, however, turn up about a half dozen "hot spots," small areas such as the floor edge at the wall along a rubber molding in one room and in a cabinet under a sink in another, that had a moderate concentration of bacteria, where cleaning isn’t as effective as on open areas.
The report makes three recommendations, Ross said.
They include cleaning of each of the mold or bacteria hot spots the test results identified, creating a planned maintenance program to be implemented to regularly keep these places clean and addressing any roof leaks or other sources of water incursion. Any water-damaged ceiling tiles should be routinely replaced, cleaned or dried if they do become wet.
Concerns were raised about a possible mold problem when two teachers and a staff member reported developing a skin-rash type of symptom. One of the teachers needed to go on paid medical leave.
The report determined there are a number of microorganism hot spots where mold or bacteria are growing in significant concentrations, but they are limited in density and size.
These spots should be cleaned, the study said, but they are not expected to adversely affect the health of the majority of the school faculty, staff members or students.
The hot spots do not appear to be the source of large amounts of airborne mold.
The total spore count samples did indicate that penicillium and aspergillus spores were present in significant concentrations but not enough to cause health problems for the majority of people.
Those suffering from allergies could be affected, however.
The report points out that sometimes only a few people are affected by something in the building, but that these cases are related more to the individuals than the facility.
It further said there are considerable differences in people’s susceptibilities to health effects from chemical or biological exposures. Some people, who are more susceptible, may exhibit the effects at exposures to very low concentrations, the report said. Two science classrooms were tested for mold in April but results showed no problems with mold.
Other tests done at that time, and reviewed as part of the Kisco study, of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity levels all showed accepted levels.
This second round of testing, including more rooms and the science commons area, was done because of questions on the methodology of the April tests, Ross said.
The study was done June 2, June 3, June 14 and June 21.
Ross said he was pleased with the test results, noting that a lot of time and effort, not to mention about $9,000, were spent trying to get to the bottom of the problem.
Matt Gibson, district superintendent, said concerns over possible health issues at the school did not play into a proposal to build two new high schools. "We never made the connection between these studies and our high school facilities study," he said.
Gibson said he is pleased the Kisco report gives specific recommendations to the district.
"It’s very helpful to have something to work on," he said. Linda McAlpine can be reached at lmcalpine@conleynet.com This story appeared in the Waukesha Freeman on July 14, 2005. Return to table of contents December 2005 Nanotechnology, titanium dioxide Titanium dioxide is a widely used solid pigment material used in the manufacture of paints, coatings, cosmetics, paper, plastics, food, and other products. It is often added as fine or ultrafine sized particulates. In one of its first recommendations for control of occupational exposure to these 'nano-' sized particles (particles approaching near-atomic size scale), NIOSH has released a draft Current Intelligence Bulletin, "Evaluation of Health Hazard and Recommendations for Occupational Exposure to Titanium Dioxide." The bulletin is recommending limits of 1.5 mg/m3 TiO2 in fine particle size, and 0.1 mg/m3 TiO2 in ultrafine size particles. as time-weighted averages for 10 hour workdays. It further recommends reducing exposure to as low as feasible below these limits. Control of exposure below these limits is expected to make unlikely an increase in occupational lung cancer, based on available evidence from laboratory animal studies. For more on NIOSH's involvement in nanotechnology workplace health and safety, see http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html. For more information on this new aspect of industrial hygiene monotirong and health risk assessment, conact Kisco, Inc. Return to table of contents | | |
