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

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
BUILDINGS
TOXIC MATERIALS
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
ETIOLOGY
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
VENTILATION
AIR POLLUTION
DISEASES
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
POLLUTION
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
552000 - Public Health