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Vol. 14 Issue 3, Fall 2009
BCERF had planned to produce an Alert brochure as the next phase of its efforts to address teachers and breast cancer risk. Because we are not able to continue this project, we offer in this article information we have gathered to date on workplace exposures to select chemicals that may exist in school settings. This information is based on research by BCERF collaborator Nellie Brown, MS, CIH, Director of the Workplace Health and Safety Program with Cornell University - School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Ms. Brown determined that nine National Toxicology Program (NTP) mammary carcinogens were potentially present in school settings, either historically or currently. Formaldehyde was added, due to some limited evidence from human studies of a potential breast cancer risk. Please see the resource list at the end of the article for further details and resources on reducing risks in a variety of these settings. See the EnviroChem and Cancer Database (ECCD) for information on all of the NTP mammary carcinogens: http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/ECCD/
Note: exposure scenarios reflect educational settings from kindergarten through high school, including vocational education, and may apply to trade schools. They do not include exposures at the college or university level, such as science classes with laboratory work, scientific research, art, or technology classes. These settings may have these and/or other exposures of concern, but they were not included in our review.
Methylene chloride is a chlorinated solvent to which those in cosmetology classes may have been exposed historically through hairsprays. Chlorinated solvents have been phased out due to damage to the ozone layer, as per US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. Currently used products should be based on alternative formulations. These include water-based hairspray in pumpspray bottles or alternative propellants for aerosol cans, such as carbon dioxide and isobutane/propane. Methyleugenol is another mammary carcinogen that may be in current use in cosmetology settings. It is contained in a wide variety of essential oils used as ingredients in certain hair care products.
p-Rosaniline hydrochloride or C. I. Basic Red 9 Monohydrochloride may be present in autoshop. It is used as a dye in antifreeze and therefore may be encountered during the flushing and replacing of engine coolant/antifreeze from vehicle radiators. It is important for instructors and students to wear protective gloves appropriate for the specific antifreeze (always consult the glove suppliers' charts for information the type of glove that provides adequate protection).
Glycidol is a mammary carcinogen which may be encountered in art class situations when using epoxy resin systems for paint, lacquer, and ink vehicles, as well as for casting, laminating, adhesives, and molding. Exposure may occur during mixing of two-part epoxy systems. It is important to use local exhaust ventilation in these situations. Silicone may provide an alternative resin systems. Those selecting materials should follow the recommendations of the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) at http://www.acminet.org/
Art teachers using polyurethane plastic mold-making materials may be exposed to 2,4- and 2,6-Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI). The author of Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide, M. Rossol, recommends that TDI be avoided completely because she believes that art studios are unlikely to have sufficient ventilation to adequately reduce exposure. Alternatives include silicone, as with glycidol. For woodworking using polyurethane varnishes, be sure to use adequate local exhaust ventilation such as a hood or paint booth, or use alternative varnishes, such as acrylics.
Maintenance workers applying paints and sealants by spray or brush used for floor finishes, wood finishes and varnishes (including gym floors), wood and concrete sealants, and sealants for concrete or steel may also be at risk of exposure to TDI. Strategies for avoiding exposure include using alternative paints or varnishes, providing additional general ventilation during the task, and respiratory protection if the ventilation is inadequate. The task should be scheduled when the building is unoccupied to prevent others' exposure.
Formaldehyde may be present in multiple situations around schools. In the past, biology labs used formaldehyde (as formalin solution) to preserve specimens. Today specimens may be originally preserved with formaldehyde but are washed and packaged in alcohols for shipment to schools. Alternatives that may be used include freeze-dried specimens, plastic models, and dissection videos.
Formaldehyde may also be present in papers of all kinds throughout the school. Ventilation at ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers at http://www.ashrae.org/) recommendations may still not provide sufficient protection for those with severe allergy or for physical handling of materials. For these people, gloves may provide some protection. Or, consider using purchasing specifications to screen out undesirable products and use materials recommended by ACMI. Electronic or online versions of some publications may be available to avoid printed material. To deal with offgassing of formaldehyde from carbonless copy paper forms, new forms should be stored in a well-ventilated area before use. Boxes should be opened to allow forms to offgas before they are brought into an office. Office workers can verify that their workspace meets ASHRAE recommendations for ventilation. Using purchasing specifications can help ensure there is no routine exposure to formaldehyde-based paper finishes from various papers, including paper towels.
General exposure to formaldehyde may result from offgassing from new construction or remodeling materials, such as particle board and plywood. Those responsible for purchasing should use product specifications and commissioning to avoid purchasing materials which offgas or offgas at high rates. There are techniques to "bake off" a building until offgassing is reduced before re-allowing occupancy. Materials should be purchased in advance and stored in areas with significant ventilation to enable offgassing before installation.
In cosmetology settings, formaldehyde solutions or paraformaldehyde blocks may be used as a cold sterilant for items such as combs and for cabinets. Contact your State Board of Cosmetology for alternatives allowed in your state. The NYS Appearance Enhancement License Law (19 NYCRR 160.17) on cleaning, disinfection, or sterilization of implements allows alternatives. These are specified as to their type, usage, and work practices but include a range of disinfectants registered by the EPA, as well as sterilization by autoclaving. Some items may also be used as disposables.
Two mammary carcinogens that may be present in autoshop settings and throughout the school are 5-Nitroacenaphthene and Benzene. Exposure to 5-nitroacenaphthene in diesel exhaust may occur during servicing and repair of diesel-powered vehicles. Benzene is present in gasoline and in vehicle exhaust. Local exhaust ventilation should be used in autoshop, including piping from vehicle exhaust directly to the outside. Others on school grounds may be exposed to these chemicals from diesel-powered buses, delivery trucks, cars, or other equipment via building air intakes for HVAC system. In New York State, there is NYSDEC regulation that forbids idling of heavy-duty vehicles for over five minutes (see http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8585.html). New York City Administrative Code is stricter and states that buses cannot leave their motors running for more than three minutes, and cannot leave them running at all when it is warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Much improvement is needed in the enforcement of this law. Attention must also be paid to avoid any idling near air intakes. The school may choose to adjust the on/off times of the ventilation system so that the system is off while loading or unloading buses.
There may also be general classroom exposure to benzene resulting from emissions from laser printers or photocopiers.
To reduce this hazard:
2,3-Dibromo-1-propanol is a possible ingredient in ink-jet printer cartridges found throughout the school but is of particular concern for those maintaining the printers. Exposure may take place while replacing ink cartridges or due to breakage or leakage of a cartridge. Use purchasing specifications to avoid this ingredient.
Interventions to prevent or reduce these exposures most likely involve multiple individuals in a school setting, including those responsible for purchasing and for custodial and maintenance services. Sometimes it may be necessary to bring in an outside certified industrial hygienist (CIH) to evaluate the indoor environment of a school building.
Resources
Brown, N. J. (1987). Health hazard manual for cosmetologists, hairdressers, beauticians and barbers. Cornell University-ILR/Workplace Health and Safety Program (formerly Chemical Hazard Information Program) Available from: http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/manuals/6
Rossol, M. (2001). Artist's complete health and safety guide. (New York: Allworth Press).
McCann, M. (2008). Health hazards manual for artists. (New York: Nick Lyons Books).
US EPA/US DHHS (NIOSH) (1991). Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers. Downloadable at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/largebldgs/baqtoc.html
USEPA et al. (1995). Tools for Schools Action Kit . Downloadable at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html
US EPA (2001). Mold remediation in schools and commercial buildings. Downloadable at http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html
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