Staff at the Columbus Museum of Art in Ohio complained to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that headaches, nausea and dizziness were caused by a chemical sealant used on the gallery floor.
reported on tuesday columbus telegramThe museum used floor sealing product GT 275 on the floors during the recently-started renovation of the Ross Building, and in the weeks since the work began, employees have complained about smoke throughout the facility. A former gallery employee told the newspaper that several museum staff members had called in sick and that “the maintenance team provided information about sealants to staff and distributed N95 masks.”
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according to sendCiting safety information from the manufacturer of GT 275, “Inhalation of sealants can adversely affect the central nervous system, causing symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, and ‘decreased consciousness.'” Acute overexposure via inhalation can cause difficulty breathing, confusion, and unconsciousness. “
This product should be used outdoors or in a well-ventilated area and the instructions for use include the warning: “Do not breathe dust/mist/gas/mist/vapor/spray.”
Eric Clift, former gallery worker, interviewed send” said, “I think part of the reason some people are concerned is that if they stopped working today and giving us all this information, we can’t stop breathing in the information that we’ve been taking in, and who knows what the long-term effects that might have on a given person. “
According to the newspaper, Clift claimed that the museum remained open during renovations and that “little babies and their caregivers visited during one of the worst days of the smog.”
The following people have been contacted for comment art newsA spokesperson for the Columbus Museum of Art said, “The museum is aware of and takes seriously the issues related to recent renovations. We are actively reviewing conditions and responding to OSHA’s inquiries. The safety of our staff and visitors is our top priority, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure a safe environment as work continues.”
