Health hazard evaluation report: MHETA-87-193-1865, Clarksburg Publishing Company, Clarksburg, West Virginia.
Source
Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, MHETA 87-193-1865, 1987 Dec; :1-25
Abstract
In response to a request from employees at the Clarksburg Publishing Company (SIC-9441), Clarksburg, West Virginia, a study was made of work related health complaints at their Exponet Telegram Building (ETB). Particular attention was given to employees reporting symptoms of headache, sinus trouble, nasal irritation, blurred vision, dizziness, diarrhea, memory loss, muscle weakness/cramping, nausea, confusion, and chills. Of the 124 workers in the ETB, 46 percent completed an indoor air quality survey. Discomfort related to work was reported by about 16 percent, and about 5 percent reported work related illness. The most prevalent medical symptom was discomfort/irritation related to cigarette smoke. Three employees were interviewed, one of them with severe symptoms. It was possible that this worker was highly sensitive to formaldehyde (50000) or other irritants. Air samples indicated no contaminants present at levels above those recommended for working environments. Some of the temperature measurements taken were below suggested levels and some of the relative humidity measurements exceeded recommendations. The ventilation system for this facility was suboptimal and recommendations were offered for its improvement and routine maintenance, along with a recommendation for a restriction or ban on smoking. The author concludes that symptoms in ETB workers are consistent with "tight building syndrome."
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; MHETA-87-193-1865; Region-3; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; Hazards-Confirmed; Office-workers; Cigarette-smoking; Air-quality-monitoring; Medical-surveys; Respiratory-irritants; Closed-building-syndrome;
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
NTIS Accession No.
PB88-224191
Identifying No.
MHETA-87-193-1865
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
