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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

NIOSH comments to DOL on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration request for information on occupational exposure to indoor air pollutants by R. W. Niemeier, January 21, 1992

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7029210

The testimony concerns the work of NIOSH conducted in the area of indoor air pollution in nonindustrial workplaces such as offices, schools, public buildings and other locations over the past decade. A wide variety of health problems has been identified with symptoms and complaints of a general, nonspecific nature. The origins of many of the health problems have been complex and multifactorial. NIOSH is conducting a more detailed analysis of the Health Hazard Evaluations conducted in the past related to the indoor air quality problem in an effort to more fully respond to the questions posed by OSHA in their Request for Information. Two serious health problems associated with indoor environments specifically mentioned in the response were environmental tobacco smoke and Legionnaires' disease. The NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin 54 is cited as it provides information regarding the potential risk of lung cancer and heart disease to workers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. NIOSH and the Center for Infectious Diseases remain committed to developing strategies for controlling building associated occurrences of Legionnaires' disease. NIOSH and the Environmental Protection Agency have over the past several years been working together to develop a comprehensive guidance document on indoor air quality which contains recommended approaches to aid in preventing and resolving such problems and conducting comprehensive assessments.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
OSTI ID:
7029210
Report Number(s):
PB-92-206184/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English