Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA 2000-0091-2803, Horry County Assessor's Office, Conway, South Carolina.

摘要

In December 1999, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received health hazard evaluation (HHE) requests from employees working in a Horry County Administrative Building, Conway, South Carolina. These workers described a prior incident in 1999, which involved carbon monoxide (CO) exposures, as well as ongoing concerns with mold in the building. The employees believed that their symptoms, which included headache, sinus problems, and upper respiratory problems were work related. A walk-through of the entire building was conducted March 27, 2000. Measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2), CO, temperature, and relative humidity (RH) were made and the ventilation systems were visually examined, including the condition of the air filters, coils, drain pan, and other interior components of two randomly selected heat pump units. Five bulk dust samples were collected by micro-vacuuming section of carpet. Ten 'sticky' tape samples were collected of suspected fungal colonies by using the adhesive side of the tape to pull spore structures and hyphae from the growth surface. Areas suspected of water damage (both exterior walls and carpeted floors near these walls) were probed with a moisture meter to qualitatively assess water content. Twelve of the approximately 115 employees volunteered for informal interviews.