Hazard-evaluation and technical assistance report TA 78-12, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon

Technical Report · Mon May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1978

OSTI ID:6035683

A hazard evaluation and technical assistance survey of the biology-botany science building at the University of Oregon, Corvallis Campus to determine a possible etiologic agent responsible for nervous-system complaints among employees was conducted. Upon occupation of the new building formerly healthy plants transplanted to the new laboratories died. Since that time, a plant pathologist died of a neurological disease and three other professors contracted a similar progressive neurological disease. The ventilation system of the building was studied. Fume-hood rates were measured and air-inlet filters were analyzed. In addition, medical interviews of employees were conducted, medical histories obtained, and consultations with their physicians held. If there is a single process endemic among the present staff, it could not be identified, although there are definitely similarities in complaints. No pathophysiological link between the fatal neurological diseases and current complaints among the staff was found. No clear-cut etiologic relationship between the work environment and symptoms was apparent.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6035683
• Report Number(s): PB-89-137509/XAB; HETA-78-000-012
• 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
DISEASES
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
ETIOLOGY
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
POLLUTION
TOXIC MATERIALS
VENTILATION