Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 84-006-1639, First National Bank, Chicago, Illinois

Technical Report · Sat Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5655613

Orris, P; Kominsky, J

A health hazard evaluation at the First National Bank building, Chicago, Illinois in September 1983 was conducted. The evaluation was requested by the fire department to obtain technical assistance concerning potential toxic effects from a fire occurring in a transformer vault beneath the building. Environmental samples were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs). Blood samples from two firemen hospitalized for smoke inhalation and two maintenance workers were analyzed for PCBs, PCDDs, and PCDFs. PCB contamination was limited to the vault, the concentration being 20,900 microg/ft/sup 2/. Air PCB concentrations in the vault 4 hours after the fire averaged 58microg per cubic meter (m3). The NIOSH standard for PCBs is 1microg/m/sup 3/. A surface wipe sample contained 114microg/ft/sup 2/ total PCDF and PCDD. The transformer oil contained 5.1 parts per million PCDFs. Serum PCB concentrations in the exposed individuals were below 10 parts per billion. No PCDFs or PCDDs were detected. The authors conclude that a potential health hazard from PCBs, PCDDs, and PCDFs existed during the fire. Recommendations include registering PCB containing transformers with the fire department and wearing respiratory protection when responding to suspected PCB fires.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5655613
• Report Number(s): PB-86-203916/XAB; HETA-84-006-1639
• 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
BUILDINGS
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FIRE FIGHTING
FIRES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
POLLUTION
SAFETY
TOXICITY
TRANSFORMERS