Abstract: SIX MEMBERS OF LOCAL #974, HIRED TO DISMANTLE EXHIBITS LEFT FROM THE CONFERENCE OF LASER & ELECTRO OPTICS (CLEO), CAME IN CONTACT WITH A LIQUID WHICH HAD PREVIOUSLY SPILLED FROM A WASTE CONTAINER ONTO A CARPET. THEY WERE EXPOSED WHILE THEY WERE REMOVING THE CARPET, OR REMOVING THE TAPE USED TO SECURE THE CARPET. THE LIQUID WAS ALLEDGED TO HAVE BEEN AN ETHYLENE GLYCHOL ETHER TYPE, CONTAINING A FDA APROVED RED COLORING (RHODAMINE) USED IN LASER DEMONSTRATIONS. THE EMPLOYEES COMPLAINED OF BURNING, INFLAMED HANDS FOLLOWING THE TAPE REMOVAL, AND WERE TAKEN TO UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL BY THE UNION LEADER FOR OBSERVATION AND/OR TREATMENT.