DDT Exposures in a Natural History Museum -- Colorado
In October 1981, the Denver Museum of Natural History, Denver,
Colorado, requested assistance from the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in evaluating occupational
exposures to dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) because of
concern
about possible health hazards (1). Workers potentially exposed to
DDT
included curators, preparators, and museum assistants involved in
cleaning, packaging, and storing animal skeletons coated with the
pesticide.
During a 3-day cleanup and renovation period in November 1982,
NIOSH investigators collected environmental air samples for testing
for DDT both from the general workplace environment and from
personal
breathing zones. Test results showed these air samples (range
0.001-0.1 mg/m((3))) were below both the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration's (OSHA) standard for occupational exposure
to
DDT (1.0 mg/m((3))) (2) and the level currently recommended by
NIOSH
(0.5 mg/m((3))) (3). Bulk samples of dust, dirt, and scrapings
from
the skeletons were collected from several locations in the storage
area. DDT levels ranged from 4 to 5,500 ug/g.
Before and during the cleanup, the museum implemented a
NIOSH-recommended program designed to reduce exposures to DDT at
the
museum, consisting of: (1) preventive work practices (e.g.,
wearing
impervious coveralls, boots, and gloves and using NIOSH-approved
respirators); (2) appropriate personal hygiene (e.g., showering at
the
end of the workday and washing hands and face before eating,
drinking,
or smoking); (3) engineering controls (e.g., an enclosure to
collect
DDT waste materials during the cleaning of the bones, an exhaust
ventilation system to prevent airborne particulates from reaching
the
employees' breathing zones, and a vacuum system to remove DDT-laden
dust from the room during the final stages of cleaning).
Reported by Region VIII and Hazard Evaluations and Technical
Assistance Br, Div of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field
Studies, NIOSH, CDC.
Editorial Note
Editorial Note: Once widely used in the United States, DDT, a
chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide, has been banned from sale in
this
country since December 31, 1972. Before this time, it was widely
used
as a disinfectant on animal specimens shipped to museums throughout
the United States. Potential exposures to DDT occurred when a
curator
or preparator cleaned the materials in preparation for display.
The
renovation of the Denver museum necessitated the complete cleaning
and
packing of all specimens, as well as decontamination of the old
storage area.
Because DDT is more persistent in the environment than most
synthetic organic pesticides (e.g., organophosphates, carbamates),
concern continues about its chronic absorption, particularly as a
residue in food. In general, chlorinated hydrocarbons may
stimulate
or depress the central nervous system. Mild poisoning with
chlorinated hydrocarbons causes dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain,
and
vomiting; other symptoms include confusion, malaise, headaches, and
irritation of the eyes and skin. Both OSHA and NIOSH recommend
that
skin contact with DDT be avoided.
Arsenic is also used for preserving animal specimens (4,5) and
may
pose an occupational hazard for taxidermists and museum workers.
Wherever appropriate, steps should be taken to limit exposures to
this
hazard as well.
References
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Health
hazard evaluation report no. HETA 82-027-1281. Cincinnati,
Ohio:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, l983.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA safety and
health standards. 29 CFR 1910.1000. Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, revised 1980.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Special
occupational hazard review for DDT. Cincinnati, Ohio:
National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1978. (DHEW
(NIOSH)
publication no. 78-200).
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Health
hazard evaluation report no. HHE 78-095-596. Cincinnati, Ohio:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1979.
Avery P. Poison hazard from stuffed birds cited. Rocky
Mountain
News, April 22, 1983:10(col. 2).
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