Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 86-421-1956, Cincinnati Public Schools, Cincinnati, Ohio

Technical Report · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5165195

Bryant, C J; O'Malley, M A

An evaluation was made of the working conditions in rooms 430, 431, and adjacent areas at the Hughes Vocational School. The school is a six story brick building, about 125,000 square feet, attached to the Hughes High School. Each floor has its own heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system. Air samples for ethylene oxide (EtO), formaldehyde, hydrocarbons, and bioaerosols were below all relevant criteria. Temperature and relative humidity levels were within accepted comfort ranges. Levels of carbon dioxide at 500 to 1000 parts per million (ppm) inside, and 300 ppm outside, indicated that inadequate amounts of fresh air were being delivered to classrooms 431 and 432. The symptoms of respiratory problems were reported in eight of nine persons in these classrooms and included eye irritation, irritation or sores in the mouth, unusual odors, headaches and fatigue. These symptoms have been associated with a lack of enough fresh air, rather than being attributed to a specific toxic agent. This report concludes that inadequate ventilation was the most likely cause for the symptoms and recommends specific improvements in the ventilation system, including correction of deficiencies, and evaluation of the system by a ventilation contractor.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5165195
• Report Number(s): PB-90-103557/XAB; HETA--86-421-1956
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR POLLUTION
AIR QUALITY
BUILDINGS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SAFETY
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
TOXIC MATERIALS
TOXICITY
VENTILATION