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Technical assistance report no. TA-78-10, BRK Electronics, Aurora, Illinois.

Kramkowski RS; Elesh WE; Colligan M

Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, TA 78-10, 1979 Feb; :1-14

00115877

The ventilation and climate control systems were evaluated at BRK Electronics (SIC-3674) in Aurora, Illinois on November 16 through 22, 1977. The survey was requested by the company president on behalf of about 400 workers after an outbreak of an unknown illness consisting of a variety of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system symptoms. Physical and laboratory examinations were performed for workers who had gone to the local hospital. Behavioral and personality questionnaires were administered to some of the workers. No abnormalities were found that could be related to toxic substances. During a tour of the facility it was determined that the climate control system had been changed from summer to winter operation on the night preceding the first illness incident, and that a heat exhaust had been changed to conserve energy. The illness incident on November 15 followed the evacuation of the facility after a burn test produced odors. No toxic substances in concentrations sufficient to precipitate such an occurrence were found. The authors conclude that the incident was a result of the change in environment, which produced unfamiliar odors and caused alarm in the workers.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; TA-78-10; Region-5; Hazards-Unconfirmed; Health-surveys; Environmental-control; Environmental-hazards; Industrial-hygiene

19790201

Field Studies; Technical Assistance

1979

PB82-179847

A03

TA-78-10

DSHEFS

3674

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

IL; OH