Date: Fri 30-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

High-School-glue-evacuation

Full Text:

with cut: Glue Fumes Close The High School

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Workmen who were installing a new roof membrane near Newtown High School's old

gymnasium apparently left an open container or containers of industrial

adhesive on the roof, allowing the glue's vapors to find their way into the

school, resulting in students being sent home almost three hours before their

normal dismissal time on May 22, according to Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and

Rescue Company Chief Bill Halstead.

The location of the open glue containers, as well as winds, probably caused

the glue fumes to enter the building, the fire chief said. After they entered

the building, the fumes were then circulated by the ventilation system, he

said.

After the glue fumes pervaded the school, the building was evacuated.

In some parts of the high school, glue fumes were as high as 500 to 700 parts

per million - a very high, potentially dangerous level, Chief Halstead said.

The viscous adhesive, kept in five-gallon steel drums, is used to connect

roofing membranes to roofs.

In leaving the adhesive drums open on the roof, the workmen were not following

proper rules for the substance's storage, the fire chief said.

No more roofing will be done at the high school until the school closes for

the summer, Chief Halstead said.

Firefighters spent two hours at the school using fans to vent the smelly air

from the building.

Besides Sandy Hook firefighters, firemen from Newtown Hook and Ladder went to

the scene.

The louvers through which the glue fumes entered the building were sealed off

with plastic to prevent more fume seepage into the school, the fire chief

said.

Three unidentified students reportedly felt ill when exposed to the adhesive

fumes, he said, but after they went outdoors, their condition improved.

The substance which caused the evacuation is the roofing adhesive known as

Sarnacol 2170 adhesive sold by Sarnafil, Inc. It is a flammable liquid.

The chemical may cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation, as well as

nervous system depression such as drowsiness, dizziness and fatigue.