Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 84-248-1694, Wasson Elementary School, Dubois, Pennsylvania

Technical Report · Thu May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:7167220

Gorman, R; Aw, T C

The DuBois area school district DuBois, Pennsylvania requested an evaluation due to complaints of bloody nose, dry eyes, upper respiratory irritation, and headaches among students and faculty at the Wasson Elementary School. All 24 teachers were involved in a questionnaire that focused on medical histories and symptoms related to working in the school. Environmental air samples revealed trace concentrations of organic vapors, primarily toluene and C9 to C12 hydrocarbons. Carbon-dioxide levels measured 200 parts per million (ppm) outside and up to 800 ppm inside, suggesting that the amount of fresh air coming into the building was inadequate. The distribution of that air within the building was inadequate. The authors conclude that the health complaints were related to poor indoor air quality caused by deficiencies in the ventilation system. The heating/cooling system had many deficiencies related to design, installation, and maintenance. The authors recommended improvements to be made in the system, including cleaning air filters, adjusting dampers, leaving classroom doors open, using fans to promote mixing of outside air, and setting thermostats at the same setting.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7167220
• Report Number(s): PB-87-106514/XAB; HETA-84-248-1694
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
CARBON DIOXIDE
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HYDROCARBONS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
AIR QUALITY
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
TOLUENE
TOXICITY
AIR POLLUTION
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
BUILDINGS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SAFETY
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health