Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 90-078-2095, U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
In response to a request from the American Federation of Government Employees, Local 940, an evaluation was undertaken of possible hazardous working conditions at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office and Insurance Center, (SIC-9451) located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The concern arose following a spill of dielectric fluids known to contain polychlorinated biphenyls (1336363) (PCBs) during the removal and replacement of transformers in the vault area. The facility is a large, two story office building maintained by the General Services Administration (GSA). Within the confines of the open office area was a transformer vault containing two transformers. GSA contracted with private firms to remove the transformers, to install new transformers, and to provide industrial hygiene support during the removal phases. Improper hookup of a pump resulted in a spill of the PCB containing fluids. Although the work was being performed on the weekend, workers were working in adjacent office areas. The building was evacuated as noxious odors filled the area. After cleanup, the spill areas within the vault were encapsulated with paint. During the investigation the PCB contamination in the area was limited to the floors which averaged 2452 micrograms/square meter (microg/sq m), compared to an average wall concentration of 13 microg/sq m. Surface contamination noted in the office carpet directly outside the vault door was measured at 388 microg/sq m.
- Research Organization:
- National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5194233
- Report Number(s):
- PB-91-212563/XAB; HETA--90-078-2095
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AROMATICS
BUILDINGS
CHEMICAL SPILLS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL BUILDINGS
FEDERAL REGION III
FLUIDS
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INHALATION
INTAKE
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
PENNSYLVANIA
POLLUTION
TOXICITY
TRANSFORMERS
USA
WORKING CONDITIONS
WORKING FLUIDS