Yorkregion.com - Richmond Hill - Table making library staff ill
Table making library staff ill
Richmond Hill
Apr 09, 2008 10:16 PM
By: Sean Pearce
Staff at Richmond Hill Public Library’s central branch claim a temporary desktop installed on the main floor is making them sick.
The main floor service desk has been cordoned off for nearly four weeks, ever since staff working at it complained of symptoms ranging from illness to allergic reactions, a librarian at the branch said. The desktop led two staff members to seek medical attention, one of which had to be hospitalized, the librarian added.
A new desktop is on the way, but can’t get there soon enough.
“I’m hoping they replace it soon,” the librarian said, revealing an arm covered in red blotches. “It smells awful.”
Calls to the central branch were directed to the library’s director of public service, Mary Jane Celsie, who confirmed that use of the temporary desktop has been discontinued.
The idea had been to use the temporary surface while the 15-year-old original desktop was out for resurfacing as part of ongoing renovations to the branch. Use of the temporary desktop ceased as soon as problems were reported, Ms Celsie added.
“What we had hoped to do was put on a temporary desktop and continue to use that for traffic flow, but we found it was particle board and one or two people found it a little uncomfortable to work with it,” she said. “We shut it down and sealed it off in plastic.”
And, while Ms Celsie confirmed a couple of staff members did see a doctor about their symptoms relating to the desk, no one was hospitalized as a result of contact with it.
She characterized that incident as a simple misunderstanding.
“(The hospitalization) was an unrelated matter when she (a librarian) was at the doctor and that landed her in the hospital,” Ms Celsie said. “She went to the doctor because of a reason to do with the desk. She had allergies, but when she was there they found something else. She wasn’t hospitalized, because of the desk. If someone said that it’s not true.”
As for the smell, a few library visitors at the site did complain about an unusual odour, but both staff and patrons can breathe easier, Ms Celsie said.
The manufacturer has assured there are no dangers associated with the temporary desktop.
“It’s not toxic at all,” she said. “It’s a wood smell, it’s made of an appropriate material for this type of desk, and that’s why we ended up wrapping it in the plastic tablecloths.”
Still, some information regarding particleboard begs to differ on the issue of its safety.
Industry Canada states that formaldehyde-based glues are a common ingredient in the manufacture of particleboard. Formaldehyde is listed as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization and Health Canada research indicates that exposure, especially in the presence of non-veneered particleboard, may trigger nausea or allergic reactions in some people.
Even so, Ms Celsie said information from the manufacturer has indicated that the hazards associated with the type of material are negligible except in unusually sensitive individuals.
“There really isn’t an issue there unless someone is particularly sensitive,” she said. “And I mean unusually sensitive. I guess I’m saying it’s like I’m allergic to grass, but grass grows.”
Canadian Union of Public Employees local 905 national representative, Lorne Trevors, said he wasn’t aware of any problems at the library.
He explained that he was limited in his ability to comment as the staff there is a relatively new addition to the union and still working out their first collective agreement.
“My colleague Michelle Losielle is the staff person assigned and, unfortunately, she is not available for comment at this point,” Mr. Trevors said. “If there is a problem I can assure you that the union will respond accordingly, in consultation with the employees who are elected to represent the staff group.”
Ontario Ministry of Labour spokesperson, Bruce Skeaff, said he too couldn’t go into specifics on any particular situation, but advised that every employee has the right to a safe workplace.
He encouraged any employee who has a concern about safety to take it up with their health and safety committee or union and, if they can’t get satisfaction there, to contact the ministry.
Protect yourself
Reported symptoms of formaldehyde exposure include:
• eye, nose and throat irritation
• nausea and/or vomiting
• headaches and/or dizziness
• coughing, chest tightness, wheezing
• fatigue
• skin rash and/or hives
• nosebleeds
Potential long term effects of exposure:
• cancer
• asthma
Ways to prevent exposure to carcinogens
• limit exposure to bare particleboard
• furnish your home or business with natural wood products only