Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 89-183-2101, Andrew Jackson Junior High School, Cross Lanes, West Virginia

In response to a request submitted by teachers and the principal of the Andrew Jackson Junior High School (SIC-8211) in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, an evaluation was undertaken of possible hazardous conditions at the site. The symptoms experienced by the teachers included numbness and tingling of the extremities, upper airway irritation, eye irritation, inability to concentrate, and comfort complaints of too hot and too cold. The single story school building was constructed as an open space classroom configuration. It was heated, cooled and ventilated by nine individual roof mounted air handling units with ducted air supply. The false ceiling space served as the return air duct to the system. During 1981 to 1983 this open space was converted to approximately 30 classroom areas by erecting walls. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems were modified only by adding a false ceiling return air plenum to accommodate the space conversion. The school had been treated for termite infestation by sub slab injection of chlordane (57749) and direct in room application of chlorpyrifos (2921882) (Dursban) and Diazinon (333415). Fluorescent light ballast burn outs over several years introduced Aroclor-1254 (11097691) into the building which was not effectively removed by the ventilation system. Severalmore » class rooms also registered too high for carbon-dioxide (124389) concentration, temperature and humidity levels. Recommendations were made to reduce the exposure potential to chlordane and Aroclor-1254, improve the ventilation of the classrooms, and improve the indoor air quality of the school.« less