Each year hundreds of people are injured or die as a result of entering into confined spaces that contain unknown hazards. Most of these deaths could have been prevented if the entrants had been trained to recognize confined space hazards and had followed a plan for entry into confined spaces. Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a strong, pungent, irritating odor. In addition to being an irritant to mucous membranes such as the eyes and respiratory system, formaldehyde is also listed as an OSHA carcinogen . At Iowa State University, formaldehyde use is typically limited to research laboratories where the use involves aqueous solutions of formaldehyde, methanol and water, otherwise known as formalin.
Heat stress includes a series of conditions where the body is under stress from overheating.
It can include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash or heat stroke. Each produces bodily symptoms that can range from profuse sweating to dizziness to cessation of sweating and collapse. Heat stress can be induced by high temperatures, heavy work loads, the type of clothing being worn, etc. It is important to know the signs of heat stress and the proper first aid to treat it. For more information on indoor air quality issues, please visit any of the following sites.