Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-86-045-1681, 101 Marietta Tower Building, Atlanta, Georgia.
Source
Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 86-045-1681, 1986 Apr; :1-16
Abstract
A reevaluation of the air quality in the Marietta Tower Building (SIC-9190), Atlanta, Georgia was requested by the DHHS Region IV Employee Health and Safety Committee because of worker complaints about sinus problems, eye irritation and headaches. Air cooling and circulation units were inspected on six floors. Outside air supply to these floors was measured and the buildup of carbon-dioxide (124389) (CO2) determined as an indicator of indoor pollution. Only one floor, the second, was receiving as much outside fresh air as is recommended. Floors with higher occupancy loads had amounts of CO2 in excess of 1000 parts per million. Peak CO2 concentrations and the number of occupants per floor were positively correlated while peak CO2 concentrations and amount of outside air ventilation supplied to each floor were negatively correlated. If outside air intake was increased, the amount of carbon-dioxide on each floor could be maintained below the acceptable limit. Also, CO2 could be maintained at acceptable levels if the current ventilation were unchanged, but the occupancy level of each floor did not exceed 54 people. The air cooling and ventilation equipment was in good working order, clean, and generally free of microbial slime. The author concludes that insufficient outside air was supplied on floors with a high occupant density. Engineering changes and maintenance procedures for the ventilation system are recommended.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-86-045-1681; Region-4; Hazard-Confirmed; Air-quality-control; Air-measurement; Air-quality; Office-workers; Ventilation-systems; Workplace-studies
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
NTIS Accession No.
PB87-163366
Identifying No.
HETA-86-045-1681
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
