Industrial Hygiene -- What's New?
COLD ROOMS
A number of health and safety issues have occurred in cold rooms. These problems range from mold growth to unsafe use/storage of chemicals to improper storage of beverages and food. This document reflects the practices that researchers are expected to follow when using cold rooms.
Because many cold rooms are shared between multiple groups, a single individual can create problems affecting all users. Should a problem be found, the designated responsible party or, if one is not appointed, all users must take the appropriate action to resolve the issue.
MOLD
Mold has been found in many cold rooms. Every surface in a cold room can become contaminated with mold quickly should an improper work practice occur. The result is possible health problems from inhalation of the mold spores as well as contamination of research materials.
Preventing mold growth in cold rooms is achieved by controlling condensation, moisture and removing materials contributing to mold growth. The following actions need to be followed:
- Promptly clean up spilled liquids (e.g., buffers, media). Mold can thrive on any organic medium.
- Report water leaks to Facilities by calling x3-4567.
- Keep door firmly shut. Doors left open can increase the relative humidity in the rooms and promote mold growth.
- Watch for condensation on surfaces. Condensation may be an indication of a loss of containment. Contact Facilities at x3-4567 for an evaluation of the problem.
- Remove all wood. Wood shelves can absorb moisture and, because it is composed of cellulose, is a perfect breeding ground for mold. Wood shelves need to be replaced with open stainless steel shelves that permit air flow throughout the storage area.
- Remove all cardboard and paper products. These surfaces act just like wood and promote mold growth. If some paper products (e.g., kimwipes) are required, place them in a closed plastic container between uses.
- Keep surfaces clean. If minor cleaning is needed, us a wet clean up method (e.g., damp cloth with disinfectant). Never use bleach on metal surfaces (bleach on metal surfaces can result in pitting.) Rather, use a hospital approved disinfectant. Sweeping, dusting, or brushing will release mold into the air and can cause inhalation exposures. Dry surfaces after cleaning to ensure moisture is removed.
CHEMICAL USE/STORAGE
Cold rooms are designed to continually recirculate the air contained within. Chemicals vaporizing into the air can accumulate and pose an inhalation exposure or an explosion hazard to personnel. Therefore:
- Many flammable solvents can release sufficient vapors to form explosive atmospheres. These rooms have fans and electrical laboratory equipment that are potential ignition sources. Flammable solvents must not be stored in cold rooms. On a related issue, a standard refrigerator must never be used for the storage of flammable materials. Rather, flammable storage refrigerators are needed.
- Some hazardous chemicals are not flammable but may vaporize (e.g. chloroform, formaldehyde) causing exposures to personnel. The lab staff must consider this risk when evaluating the safety of their procedures and perform most of the steps in a chemical fume hood.
- Spills of organic chemicals can occur in these locations. Prompt removal of the spilled materials is essential.
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
To ensure the safety of our employees and students, the following activities are prohibited in cold rooms:
- Beverage storage: In the past, EH&S has found alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages stored in cold rooms. Such storage is unacceptable. Should EH&S note such storage, the issue will be reported to Security for removal.
- Food storage: Many food items can absorb chemical vapors that may be released into a cold room. To prevent the ingestion of possibly contaminated foods stored in this manner, personnel will be informed of the problem by EH&S with the expectation that the food will be removed immediately.
- Compressed gas usage: Gases released from incubators and other devices in a cold room can result in a lowering of the oxygen level, resulting in possible asphyxiation. The use of gases needs to be done outside of a cold room. In the event the gased must be used in a cold room, an oxygen sensor, equipped with a local alarm, is to be installed in the cold room to warn staff of the presence of low oxygen.
QUESTIONS? Contact EH&S Industrial Hygiene Unit at (585) 275-3241 or e-mail EH&S Questions.
This page last updated 3/22/2007. Disclaimer
