| Abstract |
| Environmental and personal air samples were analyzed for methyl- alcohol (67561) at the East Middle School (SIC-8211) in Aurora, Colorado, on June 19, 1981. A representative of the Aurora Schools requested the evaluation for an unspecified number of workers. Medical questionnaires were also administered to an unspecified number of affected workers. Time weighted average concentrations of methyl-alcohol ranged from 396.0 to 640.0 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/cum) compared with the OSHA standard of 260mg/cum. Methyl- alcohol concentrations ranging from 968.0 to 1400.0mg/cum were collected during 15 minute sampling periods. All medical questionnaire respondents reported some adverse health symptoms including blurred vision, headaches, nose burning, sluggishness, dizziness, sore throat, dermatitis, chest tightness, and depression. The author concludes that a health hazard from exposure to methyl- alcohol existed at this facility. He recommends provisions of local exhaust ventilation, aeration of newly duplicated paper, use of rubber gloves, good personal hygiene, and other ventilation modifications to reduce methyl-alcohol exposure from the duplicating fluids. |
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