From: Anna Sitek <asitek1**At_Symbol_Here**UMN.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [EXTERNAL] [DCHAS-L] Wearing cloth mask in the lab
Date: Wed, 6 May 2020 18:39:29 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: CA+=RE64YzVaXROWht_qPCTDY_ob9e4+KXx7pjJ7uHd3N0cedYQ**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com
In-Reply-To <0B93160A-2A25-46EB-B669-766CF4F0926D**At_Symbol_Here**helixenv.com>


Zach and Ralph Froehlich, these are good points to consider. Thank you for sharing incidents you were personally aware of.

Are those that are requiring cloth masks sharing some language warning of potential adverse health effects and permitting the removal or an exemption for health reasons?

On Wed, May 6, 2020 at 5:16 PM Ralph Froehlich <rfroehlich**At_Symbol_Here**helixenv.com> wrote:
Please CONSIDER the potential health effects of the use of cloth face masks. I have learned of one incident where a worker in the waste management arena was REQUIRED to use a cloth face mask provided by the employer in order to work at a facility. When the worker later collapsed and hit his head on a piece of equipment which required stitches, the employer's safety representative questioned whether the accident was recordable according to OSHA (It is.). During the investigation, the worker reported that his physician had told him that he was "borderline" for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and that he reported that he continued to smoke cigarettes. DId the restriction of his breathing result in his collapse? Without medical approval, any required respiratory protective equipment could be an OSHA violation and could be the reason for his collapse. In addition, since the cloth face masks were manufactured using unapproved materials at a home sewing shop, the employer and manufacturer may be liable for health effects.

I personally witnessed another worker suffering breathing difficulties after two hours using a cloth face mask purchased on line. She removed the face mask and spent time lying on the floor until she felt good enough to return to work without the face mask. Face mask use, like air-purifying respirator use, places an additional restriction on the respiratory system which can precipitate other health effects in individuals with pre-existing health conditions, like fainting, fatigue or heart attacks. Without medical approvals, we may never know who should avoid the use of face masks.


Ralph A. Froehlich, CIH, CSP, QEP
Helix Environmental, Inc.
(937) 226-0650 office
rfroehlich**At_Symbol_Here**helixenv.com

The information contained in this electronic transmission is intended solely for the recipient of this email. This electronic mail transmission may contain confidential or privileged information. If you have received this email in error, then any distribution, reading, copying, or use of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please notify us immediately of the error by phone or email. Thank you. helix**At_Symbol_Here**helixenv..com


On May 6, 2020, at 5:27 PM, Yamaira Gonzalez <000003a8c5269e98-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU> wrote:

Thank you all for your responses. Indeed, I'm interested in your thoughts for the use of cloth masks in "lab spaces". I appreciate everyone's feedback. Adding to the list below, is the consideration of which fabric to use, which someone mentioned earlier (cotton vs. polyester or flame retardant,...). And glad to see there is a vendor selling FR masks.

Best Regards,

Yamy
----------------
Yamaira I. Gonzalez, Ph.D.
Lab Safety Coordinator
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716


On Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 01:45:03 PM EDT, Stuart, Ralph <ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu> wrote:


> >It would be helpful if AIHA or ACS could release a statement on the use of cloth masks in laboratories.

The problem I see with this relates to most of the issues you mention: the definition of "laboratories" is so broad that developing a statement beyond the broad advice that CDC produces is a significant challenge. Even within a chemistry department, organic labs, analytic labs and teaching labs present three very different risk scenarios and people are likely to be moving seamlessly among them. I've had enough experience with trying to develop a glove usage policy for a diverse lab setting to wonder if we'll get much further with masks. This is particularly true since, as you point out, the purpose of cloth masks is unclear, both to safety professionals and the public.

There is also the down side of cloth masks as with any PPE, to consider:
1. fogging of eyewear, whether prescription or safety
2. developing and maintaining an awareness of the importance of proper fit
3. interference with verbal clear communication with labmates
4. identifying appropriate decontamination and reuse protocols for the masks after use (someone compared a used mask to a used diaper, without the color indicator to indicate a contamination problem)

Thanks for helping us to think through this challenge.


- Ralph


Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859

ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu

---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas
--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas


--
Anna Sitek, CSP, CCHO
Research Safety Professional- College of Science & Engineering
Department of Environmental Health and Safety
University of Minnesota- TCEM
Lab Safety Resources www.z.umn.edu/labsafe
Joint Safety Team www.jst.umn.edu
--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post



The content of this page reflects the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) only, not the American Chemical Society, ILPI, Safety Emporium, or any other party. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. Unauthorized reproduction of these materials is prohibited. Send questions/comments about the archive to secretary@dchas.org.
The maintenance and hosting of the DCHAS-L archive is provided through the generous support of Safety Emporium.