Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 84-026-1599, US Penitentiary, Terre Haute, Indiana

Technical Report · Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:6014951

Crandall, M S

Breathing zone and environmental samples were analyzed for formaldehyde at the United States Penitentiary, Terre Haute, Indiana in January, 1984. The evaluation was requested by the safety manager to assess formaldehyde exposures among inmates manufacturing bed sheets. The fabric used to make the sheets had been treated with a formaldehyde containing resin to make it wrinkle resistant. A questionaire survey of 25 inmates was conducted to characterize health complaints. The author concludes that the formaldehyde exposures, while less than the OSHA limit, are higher than those recommended by NIOSH. NIOSH considers formaldehyde a potential occupational carcinogen and recommends that exposures be maintained at the lowest feasible limit. The inmates experienced irritating symptoms consistent with those from exposure to formaldehyde. The author recommends airing of fabrics prior to use and installing a dilution ventilation system.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6014951
• Report Number(s): PB-86-137890/XAB; HETA-84-026-1599
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
FEDERAL BUILDINGS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
FORMALDEHYDE
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
TEXTILES
TOXICITY
VENTILATION
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
BUILDINGS
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SAFETY
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health