Health hazard evaluation report HETA 84-337-1611, Federal Building, Dallas, Texas

Technical Report · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:5564587

Markel, H L

Environmental samples were analyzed for formaldehyde, carbon-monoxide, and carbon-dioxide at the Federal Building, in Dallas, Texas in May and June, 1984. The evaluation was requested by the US Department of Labor and OSHA because of complaints of eye and upper respiratory irritation among employees on the second and eighth floors. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system was evaluated. Six employees were interviewed. Eye irritation, coughing, and sneezing were the most-common symptoms reported. No formaldehyde and only 0 to 4 parts per million carbon dioxide were detected. Carbon-dioxide concentrations generally increased during the day, approaching twice the background concentrations. The supply of outside air to the second and eighth floors should have been adequate. Maintenance and operational problems such as a non-operating fresh air intake, a dirty outside air fan filter, and missing ceiling tiles were found. The author concludes that no specific cause for the employees complaints could be identified. Deficits in the HVAC system may have exacerbated the symptoms.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5564587
• Report Number(s): PB-86-191848/XAB; HETA-84-337-1611
• 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
BUILDINGS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FEDERAL BUILDINGS
FORMALDEHYDE
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
OFFICE BUILDINGS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SAFETY
SPACE HVAC SYSTEMS
TOXICITY
VENTILATION