Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 91-254-2186, Ropes and Gray Photocopy Center, Boston, Massachusetts
In response to a request from a group of employees at the Pitney Bowes Management Services, Ropes and Gray Photocopy Center (SIC-7334), Boston, Massachusetts, an evaluation was undertaken of worker exposures to photocopy emissions. The photocopy center has been in operation for 2 years. Six full time employees worked the day shift operating six photocopiers of various models. Approximately 1 million copies were generated monthly at the site. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of air samples taken for volatile organic carbons revealed trace amounts of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71556), isooctane (540841), toluene (108883), xylene (1330207), and benzene (71432). Ozone (10028156) concentrations as high as 0.41 parts per million (ppm) were detected at approximately 3 feet from the exhaust of each photocopier. Carbon-dioxide (124389) concentrations ranged from 300 to 825ppm. Respirable dust concentrations ranged from less than 10 to 50 micrograms per cubic meter. Carbon-monoxide (630080) was not detected. The authors conclude that the evaluation did not reveal a hazard to explain the respiratory symptoms experienced by the workers. The finding that the ventilation system moved too small an amount of air in a measured period of time may account for the accumulation of airborne contaminants within the building. Recommendations were made to improve the ventilation.
- Research Organization:
- National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 7045712
- Report Number(s):
- PB-92-193911/XAB; HETA-91-254-2186
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Health hazard evaluation report HETA 83-306-1548, Scholastic, Inc. , New York, New York
Indoor air quality and work-environment study. Library of Congress, Madison Building. Volume 2. Results of indoor air environmental monitoring
Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BENZENE
HEALTH HAZARDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
MASSACHUSETTS
OFFICE BUILDINGS
OCTANE
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
OZONE
TOLUENE
XYLENES
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC SOLVENTS
PERSONNEL
PHOTOCOPYING
VENTILATION
AIR POLLUTION
ALKANES
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BUILDINGS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HAZARDS
HYDROCARBONS
MAMMALS
MAN
MONITORING
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
PRIMATES
SOLVENTS
VERTEBRATES
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology