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U.S. Department of Energy
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Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 88-328-1961, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Arlington, Virginia

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7022326· OSTI ID:7022326

A study was made of possible hazardous working conditions at Fort Myer, Fort McNair, and Cameron Station, located in the Washington, D.C. area. These three sites each had polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-containing transformers. Maintenance workers visually inspected these transformers for leakage and manually felt around the gauges and valves for leaking oil. The employees did not repair the leaks, only report them to the supervisor. No detectable PCBs were noted in seven personal breathing zone samples. Area air samples for PCBs ranged in concentration from not detectable to 4.8 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3). Surface wipe samples ranged from not detectable to heavy contamination levels. Many of the transformers were leaking material suspected as containing PCBs. The report concludes that, although breathing-zone samples did not contain detectable concentrations of PCB, there was a potential for exposure to PCB-contaminated surfaces. Specific recommendations are made for clean-up and periodic monitoring.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
OSTI ID:
7022326
Report Number(s):
PB-90-129008/XAB; HETA--88-328-1961
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English