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Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 86-092-1870, 50 Staniford Street, Office Building, Boston, Massachusetts

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6839894

In response to a request from Charles River Park Properties, a study was made of possible hazardous conditions at the 50 Staniford Street Office Building, Boston, Massachusetts. Particular attention was given to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) in air and on surfaces. Sixteen air samples analyzed for PCBs indicated residual air concentrations in the building. Twelve samples analyzed for PCDF/PCDDs gave levels ranging from 0.003 to 1.7 picograms/m/sup 3/. Of 339 wipe samples, 32% failed to detect PCBs, 67% detected measurable levels of PCBs less than 25 micrograms/square meter (microg/m/sup 2/), and 1% contained PCBs at levels ranging from 25 to less than 50 microg/m/sup 2/. The highest of 58 samples taken on interior heating, ventilation and air conditioning surfaces exceeded 50 microg/m/sup 2/. Two samples exceeded the 1 nanogram/square meter (ng/m/sup 2/) guideline for PCDF/PCDDs. One was 1.2 ng/m/sup 2/ on a wood-paneled wall that has since been removed. The other was 2.7 ng/m/sup 2/ on the floor of the transformer vault which has since been encapsulated. The author concludes that the building is acceptable for occupancy.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
OSTI ID:
6839894
Report Number(s):
PB-88-224522/XAB; HETA-86-092-1870
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English