Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 82-167-1460, Upper School, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Technical Report · Sun Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5442806

Gann, P; Schirmer, J

In March 1982, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was requested by the school superintendent in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, to evaluate complaints of fatigue, lightheadedness, headache, dizziness and ear disturbances among teachers in the Upper School. Symptoms were attributed to poor air quality in a particular wing at the school. In May 1982 detector tube samples were taken for nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde snd carbon monoxide with the boilers running at full capacity. Results were below detectable limits in all of the classrooms. Based on the results, NIOSH concluded that there had been a health hazard from exposure to boiler exhaust and inadequate ventilation at the Upper School in Englewood Cliffs. Improvements in the boiler system and, subsequently, in the general ventilation, have eliminated any hazard from low level irritants in the classroom air. Symptoms of middle ear disturbance attributed to this situation are expected to be transient and reversible. Recommendations made in an Interim Report regarding improvements in ventilation have been followed. Additional recommendations are made in this Final Report.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5442806
• Report Number(s): PB-85-184240/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
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BUILDINGS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
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