Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 83-258-1859, Planned Parenthood of South Central Indiana, Bloomington, Indiana

摘要

In response to a request from an employer representative, an investigation was made of possible health hazards existing at the Planned Parenthood Clinic (SIC-8010) located in Bloomington, Indiana, due to treatment of the facility with chlordane. Four of five pregnant employees had suffered spontaneous abortions within 30 days after the clinic had been treated for termites with a 1 percent chlordane emulsion. Levels of chlordane in samples ranged from 34 to 68 micrograms/gram in crawl space soil, 0.51 to 17 micrograms/cubic meter in indoor air, and from less than 1.0 to 28 micrograms/square foot on interior surfaces. A total of 44 blood samples taken from 19 employees indicated that some employees had detectable levels of chlordane metabolites. It is not possible to state clearly that chlordane exposure caused the spontaneous abortions, but the data collected indicates a stable, low level exposure to chlordane in the first floor clinic. The authors recommend that leaks be repaired in the negative pressure return air ducts in the basement/crawl space area and that the crawl space soil be covered with either polyvinylidine-chloride or polyamide plastic sheeting with a minimum thickness of 1 mil.