Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 84-478-1636, Palace Theater, New York, New York

摘要

Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556) (TCE) at the Palace Theatre (SIC-7922), New York in January and April, 1985. The evaluation was requested by Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians to investigate episodes of headache and nausea among musicians during performances. The musicians had reported that the symptoms were associated with a sweet odor. TCE was used to clean costumes for the production. TCE concentrations in the orchestra pit when no cleaning with TCE was being done averaged 2.5 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). With TCE spotting activity, TCE concentrations were 7.1 to 10.0mg/m3 in the orchestra pit. TCE concentrations at the spotting table were 51.7 to 58.7mg/m3. The OSHA standard for TCE is 1,900mg/m3. The author concludes that no hazardous exposures to TCE occurred at the theater. Recommendations include providing organic vapor cartridges for the respirators used during the spotting operation, discontinuing use of circulating fans to dry the cleaned costumes, using a less harmful spotting compound than TCE, and provide dilution ventilation into the orchestra pit one hour before curtain time.