Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. TA 80-122-1117, 101 Marietta Tower Building, Atlanta, Georgia

摘要

An extensive environmental and epidemiologic investigation was initiated in April 1981. In the survey, eight floors were selected as representative of a range of different environmental conditions inside the building; eight other floors were selected at random. A 50% random sample of employees on each study floor was selected to participate in a questionnaire survey. Air samples were collected on 8 of the 16 floors to evaluate indoor air quality and to measure the concentration of airborne particulates, formaldehyde, total hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The amount of outdoor air provided to each sample floor was also determined. The questionnaire survey documented widespread complaints of eye irritation, sinus congestion, and headache. The levels for all contaminants detected were far less than the limits recommended by NIOSH for occupational exposures and were also within ambient air quality standards. No factor or single group of causative factors was found to account for the symptoms of employees of 101 Marietta Tower. Since the cause of the illinesses remains unknown, no certain solutions can be offered. However, general recommendations for prevention of building-related illnesses are presented in the body of the full report.