Two Alerts from Environmental Health and Safety:

Laboratory Hazard--Perkin Elmer 8000 Series Gas Chromatographs

A defect in some Perkin Elmer 8000 Series Gas Chromatographs can cause a fire. Oven fan motors that wear out may seize, overheat and catch on fire.

All Perkin Elmer 8000 Series Gas Chromatographs (GC) purchased before January 1988 must be inspected by a Perkin-Elmer service person. Contact Perkin-Elmer Service at (800) 763-8288 and request an "8000 GC Fan Motor Service Visit." The manufacturer requests that you have the GC model and serial number available when you call.

Until your series 8000 gas chromatograph can be examined by Perkin-Elmer, do not operate the GC unattended and discontinue use if the oven fan motor demonstrates problems (such as increased noise).

-- Joseph Passante (joe@oehs.upenn.edu)
Environmental Health and Safety, 898-4453

Lyme Disease Summer Precautions

Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacterium. It is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected deer tick.

In this area, the majority of Lyme disease cases occur between March and October, with the peak in June, July, and August.

In humans, symptoms that occur following a tick bite include: headaches, fever, tiredness, a characteristic red rash (not always present), aching muscles and joints and swollen glands. If left untreated, Lyme disease can result in arthritis, as well as heart and nervous system damage.

The best way to avoid Lyme disease is to avoid fields and woodlands where deer ticks and their hosts reside. If you are going into tick habitats, the following precautions will reduce your risk:

• Wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be easily spotted.

• Wear long sleeved shirts with tight cuffs.

• Wear long pants which are tied at the ankle or stuffed into socks.

• Wear light colored socks and closed shoes.

• Use insect repellent which contains DEET on clothing (especially shoe tops and pant legs).

• Put tick repellent collars on pets.

• Check yourself, children and pets for ticks before coming indoors.

Lyme disease is preventable. It is also treatable with antibiotics, especially when detected in its early stages. If you suspect that you may have been exposed, seek medical attention as soon as possible after the exposure. For information about training or occupational exposure call the OEHS at 898-4453.

-- Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Almanac

Volume 43 Number 1
July 16, 1996

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