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| An exterminator works yesterday (Saturday) inside the Huntington Public Library, which was closed Friday after bedbugs were found. |
The above photo was published with the
Newsday article "Huntington library fumigated for bugs." It is an interesting photo from a
health and safety perspective. The article discusses the fumigation of the library using a chemical called Nuvan to eliminate the bugs. If we look up the
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)for
Nuvan 7 (Visit
http://www.amvac-chemical.com/media/pdf/products/msds/nuvan_7.pdf for the MSDS for Nuvan 7)
, we learn this chemical is poisonous if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin and eyes. Based on the picture and the assumption that the worker is working with this chemical as the picture implies. The worker is not wearing the right safety equipment or as we call it in the industry, personal protective equipment or
PPE. Since this chemical can be absorbed through the skin and eyes, the tyvek suit the worker is wearing in the photo is the proper PPE to protect his body. However, since the worker is not wearing gloves or
goggles this chemical can absorb into the worker through his hands or eyes. If the amount absorbed is sufficient it could be fatal as the MSDS indicates. The worker in the picture is missing gloves (nitrile is recommended type of glove on the MSDS), in addition his shoes or the coverings over his shoes should also be chemical resistant (we can't see this so we don't know if this is correct or not), and chemical resistant gogggles are required, too. The half-mask air purifying
respirator (APR) the worker is wearing seems to be correct since the cartridge appears to be purple (typically the color for
HEPA cartridges) and black (the color associated with organic vapor cartridges, and specified on the MSDS). However, the worker is wearing the respirator incorrectly. The straps for the respirator always go under the hood of the protective suit. This way when you take off the contaminated suit the respirator can remain on until you have decontaminated yourself. For the worker in the picture to take off the suit, the worker would first have to take off the respirator exposing the worker to the
chemicals that were on the suit.
On final item, it is our experience that when wearing a half-mask APR, like the one in the photo, together with goggles always causes problems. When the goggles are worn on the face with a respirator the goggles typically do not seal properly on the face. Since the MSDS requires workers to wear eye protection with this chemical (Nuven 7), we would recommend using a full-face air purifying respirator to make sure the eyes are protected, instead of the half-mask APR.
All of these issues indicate a possible lack of training (or is it showmanship for the article) of the worker wearing the PPE. The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires workers to be trained in hazard communication (how to read MSDS) and using PPE. It is very important that workers are properly trained on the hazards they are exposed to and trained on the correct PPE for working with chemicals. This training and knowledge is what Keeps Employees Safe!
Image via WikipediaWe have discussed this issue in our asbestos initial and refresher classes. The Zonolite insulation made from vermiculite mineral mined from the Libby, Montana. The vermiculite from this mine is contaminated with tremolite asbestos. Mr. Andrew Schneider wrote this excellant article "Government Refuses to Act on Cancer-Causing Insulation". This is also an important issue for asbestos inspectors because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is specifically saying not to take samples of this material. This material gives false negative results and EPA recommends that this material be treated and handled as an asbestos containing material. In addition, vermiculite was not only used as attic insulation, it was also used in sprayed-on fireproofing until late 1980s. High-rise buildings built between 1980-1989, using sprayed-on fireproofing made by W.R. Grace (monokote made with vermiculite) also is suspect and again it is suggested that you do not sample this material. This material should be assumed to be asbestos containing.
