US EPA

1318499 

Technical Report 

Health Hazard Evaluation Determination, Report No. HHE-78-116-557, Commonwealth Trading Company, Stoughton, Massachusetts 

Moseley, CL; Singal, M; Murphy, L 

1979 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

Cincinnati, OH 

HE 78-116-557 

NIOSH 

78-116 

23 

English 

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/78-116-557.pdf
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Environmental and medical surveys were conducted on August 16 and 17, 1978, to evaluate the potential for employee exposure to formaldehyde (50000) or other toxic substances in the workplace at the Commonwealth Trading Company (SIC-5137) in Stoughton, Massachusetts. The evaluation was requested by the employer on behalf of the approximately 225 affected employees. Airborne formaldehyde concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 0.73 parts per million (ppm), well below the 3ppm OSHA standard, but exceeding the 0.5ppm action concentration. Medical interviews indicated that the irritative symptoms were compatible with the known effects of formaldehyde exposure. The authors conclude that employees were not exposed to a health hazard from chemicals during the survey. They also conclude that the pattern of results obtained from a detailed human factors questionnaire is indicative of stress induced mass psychogenic illness, triggered by low concentrations of formaldehyde vapor escaping from permanent press clothing. The authors recommend that engineering controls be implemented and work practices be changed to reduce the chance of employee exposure, that the temperature difference between the office area and the warehouse area be reduced on hot days, that the shipping doors be kept open whenever possible on hot days, that employees who experience problems be allowed to perform other jobs, that periodic wet mopping or vacuuming be done to reduce dustiness, and that sensitized employees not be allowed to become exposed to formaldehyde. 

DCN-182635; NIOSH Publication; NIOSH Author; HHE 78 116 557; NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation; Hazard Unconfirmed; Region 1; Vapors; Respiratory irritants; Air contamination; Occupational exposure; Temperature regulation; Air flow; Medical monitoring