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8637392 
Technical Report 
Health hazard evaluation report: HETA 83-048-1347. National Jewish Hospital, Denver, CO 
Pryor, P 
1983 
Center for Disease Control 
Washington, DC 
HETA 83-048-1347 
11 
English 
In December 1982, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health {NIOSH) was requested to evaluate exposures of research scientists to formaldehyde used during small animal research projects at National Jewish Hospital, Denver, Colorado.

In December 1982 and January 1983, a NIOSH investigator conducted an industrial hygiene survey to determine workers exposures to formaldehyde vapors generated during research studies. A total of eleven air samples were taken, four personal and seven general area samples. The sampling times ranged from 90 to 240 minutes. The formaldehyde concentrations ranged from 0.18 mg/M3 to 1.45 mg/M3. One sample exceeded the former NIOSH exposure criteria of 1.2 mg/M3. This recommended level was based on formaldehyde's irritant properties and not on its carcinogenic potential. The carcinogenic potential of formaldehyde is outlined in the NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin No. 34. NIOSH now recommends that formaldehyde be controlled at the Lowest Feasible Limit (LFL}. The results of the interviews with the exposed workers strongly suggest that formaldehyde exposures exist during the normal work day, i.e. , burning eyes; nose, throat and lung irritation; as well as cough and chest tightness. It was also determined that the exhaust ventilation systems in the laboratory were ineffective in their ability to adequately reduce the contaminant.