Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 86-535-1797, E. M. Crouthamel Elementary School, Souderton, Pennsylvania

Technical Report · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5002951

Crandall, M S; Galson, S K

An evaluation was made of possible exposures to formaldehyde in the E. M. Crouthamel Elementary School. Complaints had been filed at the school regarding a larger than normal number of headaches, episodes of nasal congestion, sore throats, and eye irritations among not only students but teachers as well. With the ventilation system turned off, formaldehyde concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 0.7 parts per million (ppm) in the areas where concern was the highest. When the ventilation system was turned on, the formaldehyde levels in these areas diminished. The source of the formaldehyde was identified as the plywood underlayment in some recently carpeted rooms. The authors conclude that a health hazard did not exist.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5002951
• Report Number(s): PB-88-128392/XAB; HETA-86-535-1797
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR POLLUTION
AIR QUALITY
ALDEHYDES
BUILDINGS
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FORMALDEHYDE
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
VENTILATION SYSTEMS