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Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-94-0238-2484, U.S. Marshals Service, Los Angeles, California.

Burton NC; Boudreau Y; Seitz TA

Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 94-0238-2484, 1995 Feb; :1-25

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/1994-0238-2484.pdf

00225885

In response to a request from the management at the United States Marshals Service (USMS) (SIC-9221), Los Angeles, California, a study was made of possible occupational exposures to tuberculosis in individuals involved in the handling of prisoners. The USMS employed about 107 workers including deputy US Marshals and related operational personnel, guards, and administrative personnel. Seven positive tuberculin skin test (TST) reactions were reported among the USMS staff from January to April of 1994. No known exposure occurred among the employees to tuberculosis (TB). Of 107 USMS employees, 69 (65%) had been tested with TST between January and June of 1994. All 16 indoor measurements of carbon-dioxide (124389) ranged from 425 to 850 parts per million (ppm). Temperature ranged from 74 to 78 degrees-F and relative humidity from 49 to 59%. Pooled standing water was noted in some of the condensate pans and evidence of water leakage was found on the ceiling tiles under the heating, ventilation and air conditioning units. No particulate filters were present in the HVAC units, nor was there a place to install filters. The authors conclude that USMS employees may have an increased risk of occupationally acquired TB infection. The authors recommend that measures be taken, including TB education and surveillance programs, and improvements in the work environment, particularly the ventilation systems.

NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-94-0238-2484; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-9; Law-enforcement-workers; Indoor-air-pollution; Ventilation-equipment; Infectious-diseases; Disease-transmission; Bacterial-infections; Indoor-environmental-quality; Author Keywords: Police Protection; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; tuberculosis; TB; tuberculin skin test; TST; correctional facility; indoor environmental quality; IEQ; ventilation

124-38-9

19950201

Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance

1995

PB95-219804

A03

HETA-94-0238-2484

DSHEFS

9221

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

CA; OH