Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 86-372-1796, National Marine Fisheries Service, US Department of Commerce, Pascagoula, Mississippi

Technical Report · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5609351

Boiano, J M; Cantor, F L; Burr, G A

In response to a request from the U.S. Department of Commerce, an evaluation was made of an ongoing mold and mildew problem at the Southeastern Regional Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service located in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Office workers indicated they were suffering from throat irritation, itchy eyes, sneezing, and coughing symptoms. The problem was traced to an improperly installed all-water heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system. Deficiencies in the system resulted in water damage, high humidity, and the growth of mold and mildew on all surfaces. Dehumidifiers were useful in reducing the humidity level, and therefore the growth of mildew and mold, but there was still some visible contamination on room surfaces. Airborne levels of total viable microorganisms averaged 1,236 colony-forming units per cubic meter of air. The most-abundant fungal species isolated was Acremonium species. When the results of a medical questionnaire were compared to levels of fungal contamination there was no statistically significant association between the occurrence of illness and exposure to microorganisms. The authors recommend that insulation on the pipes and condenser drain lines be replaced to eliminate the moisture-incursion problems, that all nonporous surfaces be disinfected, and that all nondisposable building contents be cleaned with a vacuum incorporating a high-efficiency particulate air filter. Materials which could not be adequately cleaned were to be discarded.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5609351
• Report Number(s): PB-88-126156/XAB; HETA-86-372-1796
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
FUNGI
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
OFFICE BUILDINGS
SPACE HVAC SYSTEMS
AIR FILTERS
AIR QUALITY
HUMIDITY
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
TOXICITY
AIR POLLUTION
BUILDINGS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
EQUIPMENT
FILTERS
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
PLANTS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
SAFETY
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health