News Release 576  

DEPARTMENT STAFF INVESTIGATES ODOR
AT CAMDENTON RADIO STATION

Carpet adhesive causes headaches among station staff

Volume 35-576

Contact: Larry Archer

(For immediate release)

573-751-3807

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 7, 2007 -- Missouri Department of Natural Resources emergency responders were called today to investigate an odor at a Camdenton radio station that was causing headaches among station staff.

An investigation of the complaint by two state on-scene coordinators from the department's Environmental Emergency Response section found that a mysterious odor and an increase of migraine headaches among the staff of radio station KCLQ was caused by carpet adhesive used recently inside the station.

The department's Environmental Emergency Response section was originally called late Thursday afternoon by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which had been contacted by the owner of the radio station. Responders from Jefferson City were dispatched to the station this morning.

After initial air monitoring instruments did not pick up any readings for volatile organic compounds, explosive levels or carbon monoxide, responders began looking for possible other causes. An interview with the company that had recently installed carpet in the building found an adhesive intended exclusively for outdoor use was used indoors. Chemicals used in the adhesive are believed to be causing the headaches.

The department's Environmental Emergency Response is called to the scene of more than 300 emergencies each year, including fires, traffic accidents, leaking storage tanks and other incidents that could have a negative environmental impact. The department's 24-hour spill line receives more than 1,600 incident reports annually.

To report an environmental emergency, including fuel spills, please contact the department's spill line at 573-634-2436. For more information, contact the Department of Natural Resources at
800-361-4827 or 573-751-3443 or visit the department's Web page at www.dnr.mo.gov.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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