Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. HETA 80-177-1166, Johnson Memorial Hospital, Stafford Springs, Connecticut

摘要

This evaluation was designed to determine the presence of nitrogen-containing compounds in the air, identify such compounds, and possibly relate the compounds to employee health effects. As the investigation progressed, however, several changes were made at the hospital which made it difficult to absolutely identify the specific amine compounds. The changes included a complete wash down of the administrative wing of the hospital and eventually a complete renovation of that section. NIOSH began this evaluation in July 1980, and made several sampling visits through March 1982, specifically for nitrogen-containing compounds. Initially, hydrazine was identified in the hospital air using an experimental analytical method described in the body of the full report. NIOSH did not positively identify any single causative agent for employee complaints. However, analytical methods employed during this evaluation suggested the presence of hydrazine which could explain both employee health effects and the effect of rapid decomposition of rubber products within the hospital. The fact that these results could not be consistently reproduced does not allow NIOSH to make definitive conclusions based upon them.