 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Debra Blog, MD, SUNY Albany and the New York State Department of Health, c/o Healthy Schools Network, Inc., 773 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, (518) 462-0632, cbarnett@healthyschools.org
Both children and adults are vulnerable to environmental toxins in schools; however children are more vulnerable than adults. While OSHA standards exist to protect the adults working within schools, no standards exist to provide protection to students. There is controversy about what is considered an adequate exposure standard for children both within and outside of schools
In August of 1998 a synthetic gym floor was poured over a concrete base in a combined elementary and middle school in upstate New York. This case study highlights the effects of off-gassing from the installation. Private laboratories provided testing results to the school district. Testing was also done by the New York State Department of Health. Several chemicals were reported to be elevated above levels that are typically found in indoor air: Tolulene, Ethylbenzene, M/P Xylene, and O Xylene. All four chemicals were present in the materials used to construct the floor. In addition isocyanates were a component of the gym floor. Elevated isocyanate levels were not found. However, isocyanates are known to cause asthma and also tend to evaporate quickly. A convenience sample of individuals who volunteered information on their health was interviewed and their medical records were reviewed. Three children and one teacher experienced an exacerbation of reactive airway disease. One child experienced the new onset of reactive airway disease. Several individuals experienced additional symptoms, such as dizziness, headache, and irritation of the eyes, throat and nose.
Elevated levels of tolulene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes appear to be associated with adverse health effects when exposure occurred in a school. Isocyanates may have been a precipitating factor as well.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will
Keywords: School Health, Environmental Exposures
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.