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INTEROFFICE MEMO #4
| DATE: |
12 MONTHS LATER |
| TO: |
CHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS GROUP |
| FROM: |
DR. I. M. NOTAQUACK
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY |
| RE: |
INVESTIGATION OF POTENTIAL SICK BUILDING |
| PRIORITY: |
[URGENT] |
Dear Investigators:
The Citizens have been in their new home for 12 months. Now, the entire family is experiencing extreme and frequent bouts of dizziness and confusion. In fact, the entire Citizen family is now experiencing many of the same symptoms that Sally has suffered over the past 12 months. Sally still has tremors and continued ringing in her ears. The muscles in her face are twitching. She still has blurred vision and heart palpitations. She continues to have trouble breathing and has a lump in her throat, phlegm, and cannot control her coughing. Her chest pains are frequently debilitating.
The neurologist has detected trace amounts of phosgene (COCl2) as well as carbon monoxide in Bob’s last blood test. The EPA scientists now speculate that phosgene can be formed by the thermal reaction with Freon. In order to evaluate the possibility of a toxic chlorofluorocarbons (such as Freon), you must again analyze and synthesize information. Again, you are responsible for finding evidence that supports or refutes your claim as to the plausibility of Freon being the indoor air pollutant in the Citizen home. Your team must evaluate this claim: Freon gas is under pressure, leaking into the home, thermally reacting to create phosgene, and is causing the Citizen family sickness.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Dr. I. M. Notaquack
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