Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 84-466 and HETA 85-017-1640, Federal Aviation Administration Facilities: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Westbury, New York

Technical Report · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5529986

Zey, J N; Anderson, K E

Environmental and breathing-zone samples were analyzed for carbon monoxide, carbon-dioxide, ozone, formaldehyde, and organic solvents at the Philadelphia Airport Control Tower, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control, Westbury, New York in October to November 1984, and March, 1985. The evaluation was requested by the Federal Aviation Administration because of employee complaints of eye irritation and respiratory problems. The ventilation systems at both facilities were evaluated. An unspecified number of employees were interviewed. At the Philadelphia facility, carbon-dioxide exposures of up to 1,100 parts per million (ppm) were measured. A carbon-dioxide concentration of 1,000ppm or more was considered indicative of inadequate outside air supply. All other exposures were well below their relevant standards or non detectable. Eye, skin, throat, and respiratory irritation were the most commonly reported symptoms. Problems in the design of the ventilation systems such as no outside air utilization during periods of extreme temperature and intakes and exhausts being located in the same area were noted. The authors conclude that a health hazard does not exist at either facility. The complaints probably stem from the ventilation systems. Recommendations include modifying and repairing the ventilation systems.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5529986
• Report Number(s): PB-86-203528/XAB; HETA-84-466
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
AVIATION PERSONNEL
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CONTROL ROOMS
FORMALDEHYDE
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SOLVENTS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
SAFETY
SOLVENTS
TOXICITY
US DOT
US FAA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VENTILATION