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HHE Search Results
111 HHE reports were found based on your search terms. Reports are listed in order of year published with the most recently published reports listed first.
Year Published and Title
(2023) Occupational exposures and indoor environmental quality in an underground cavern workplace. (Click for full summary) An employer representative of a warehouse facility, located in a former underground limestone quarry, requested a health hazard evaluation concerning employees' exposures to carbon monoxide, wood dust and other airborne particles, noise, and radon. During our visits, we (1) observed work processes, practices, and workplace conditions, and spoke with employees; (2) measured carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity, and radon; (3) collected air samples for wood dust, oth... (Click to show more)An employer representative of a warehouse facility, located in a former underground limestone quarry, requested a health hazard evaluation concerning employees' exposures to carbon monoxide, wood dust and other airborne particles, noise, and radon. During our visits, we (1) observed work processes, practices, and workplace conditions, and spoke with employees; (2) measured carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity, and radon; (3) collected air samples for wood dust, other airborne particles, and noise; (4) used tracer gas to measure the air exchange rate in the workspace; (5) took sound level measurements when powered woodworking equipment and tools were used; and (6) measured illumination levels at various locations throughout the space. We found employees' noise exposures in the woodshop exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit due to noise generated during the use of powered woodworking equipment. Wood dust exposures in the woodshop could exceed occupational exposure limits depending on how much time woodworking equipment was used. Carbon monoxide and radon levels were well below occupational exposure limits. The air exchange was very low as the warehouse as there was not a mechanical ventilation system to bring outdoor air into workspace. Temperature and relative humidity levels were within ASHRAE guidelines. Our measurements indicated that illumination could be improved in some areas of the workspace. We recommended including woodshop employees in a hearing loss prevention program, which includes audiometric testing, proper hearing protection use, and employee training; improving wood dust capture at the saws; increasing lighting in various areas of the workspace; and adding a portable toilet, handwashing station, emergency eyewash, and drinking water within the work area.
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Contact us to obtain a copy of report HHE-2018-0181-3389.
(2022) Potential hazards during harvesting and trimming cannabis at an indoor cultivation facility. (Click to open report) Management at an indoor cultivation facility requested a health hazard evaluation of potential hazards during harvesting and trimming of cannabis crops. During our two visits to the facility, we observed the work processes, personal protective equipment use, and workplace conditions of employees as they performed cultivating, harvesting, drying, and trimming tasks. We sampled for endotoxins, fungi, and particulates in air, sampled surfaces for cannabinoids, and measured sound levels. We also con... (Click to show more)Management at an indoor cultivation facility requested a health hazard evaluation of potential hazards during harvesting and trimming of cannabis crops. During our two visits to the facility, we observed the work processes, personal protective equipment use, and workplace conditions of employees as they performed cultivating, harvesting, drying, and trimming tasks. We sampled for endotoxins, fungi, and particulates in air, sampled surfaces for cannabinoids, and measured sound levels. We also conducted confidential medical interviews with employees. We found that employees were concerned about potential exposures to ozone, bright lights, and pesticides, among others. Employees reported allergic, irritant, and musculoskeletal symptoms they believed were associated with their work. Employees were exposed to endotoxins in the air during harvesting and repotting activities where soil and plant matter was disturbed. These exposures were greater than the Dutch Expert Committee on Occupational Safety occupational exposure limit. Measured sound levels were below NIOSH and OSHA exposure limits. Trimming employees had exposures to highly repetitive work that increased their risk of musculoskeletal disorders, most notably during hand trimming activities. We provided recommendations to reduce exposures to endotoxins, cannabinoids, ozone, light, and noise. Some of these recommendations included cleaning using wet methods or high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuums, using hand tools to move and mix soil, training employees about the importance of removing gloves and washing hands before using the bathroom, eating, drinking, or smoking, adjusting the current ozone generation practices to reduce the chance of accidental ozone generation with employees present. We also recommended that they reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, such as improving the workstations for trimming employees, and obtaining regular input from employees about workplace safety, health, and well-being issues.
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(2021) Indoor environmental quality and health concerns among employees of a public elementary school. (Click to open report) The NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a confidential request from employees of a public elementary school because they were concerned that they might be experiencing a greater burden of general and reproductive medical conditions than was typical. Employees were concerned that these medical conditions were related to something in their work environment, specifically mold or other causes of poor indoor environmental quality at the school. During our visit we visually inspected every... (Click to show more)The NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a confidential request from employees of a public elementary school because they were concerned that they might be experiencing a greater burden of general and reproductive medical conditions than was typical. Employees were concerned that these medical conditions were related to something in their work environment, specifically mold or other causes of poor indoor environmental quality at the school. During our visit we visually inspected every room in the school and their associated HVAC systems; measured temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide levels in various areas; and interviewed employees about their work and their health. We observed evidence of past roof leaks but found no visible mold, or wet/damp areas inside the school. We observed a leaking hose bibb and two HVAC system condensate drains in the courtyard that did not drain into their respective drainpipes. The unit ventilators were original to the building, approaching the end of their expected service life, and some were partially or completely blocked by books, classroom supplies, or furniture. Carbon dioxide levels were well above outdoor levels and temperature or relative humidity levels exceeded guidelines in some classrooms. Some areas of the school that were not designed for prolonged occupancy were being used as classrooms. Many of the symptoms reported by employees, such as headaches and nasal irritation, are common in the general population but are also associated with inadequate ventilation. We found no evidence that other reported medical problems were occurring more frequently among school employees compared with other similar populations, or that these medical problems could be related to the school. We recommended prioritizing the renovation or replacement of classroom ventilation systems, starting an indoor environmental quality management program with a designated indoor environmental quality manager or administrator, and improving communication with employees about reported hazards and the steps being taken to address those concerns. We also recommended encouraging employees to (1) report concerns about work-related symptoms or medical issues to their supervisor or another designee, and (2) to seek evaluation and care (if needed) from a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable in occupational medicine for work-related medical concerns.
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(2020) Respiratory and other health concerns at a law enforcement office building with indoor environmental quality issues. (Click to open report) Water intrusion throughout the law enforcement building envelope resulted in hidden mold in wall cavities and under flooring. Hidden mold is consistent with employee reports of musty odors, especially after rains, and health symptoms. The county has taken action to prevent further water intrusion through the foundation, including re-grading the ground to direct water away from the exterior building. The concrete slab will need to dry out and then be tested again for moisture before installing co... (Click to show more)Water intrusion throughout the law enforcement building envelope resulted in hidden mold in wall cavities and under flooring. Hidden mold is consistent with employee reports of musty odors, especially after rains, and health symptoms. The county has taken action to prevent further water intrusion through the foundation, including re-grading the ground to direct water away from the exterior building. The concrete slab will need to dry out and then be tested again for moisture before installing compatible replacement flooring. If the concrete slab moisture cannot be controlled, other options need to be considered including using breathable floor coatings or installing a moisture vapor suppression system. Mold and moisture-damaged materials should be removed or cleaned with appropriate containment to minimize exposure for remediation workers, building occupants, and unaffected sections of the building. The bat droppings identified in a wall cavity also should be removed, and the area cleaned. Inappropriate remediation can cause further problems and symptoms in occupants. The amount of fresh air delivered to occupied spaces within the building was originally incorrect, due to the elimination of planned outdoor airflow monitoring stations during HVAC system installation. However, the outdoor airflow rates were appropriately adjusted by Holistic Test and Balance, Inc. during their ventilation testing and balance assessment on February 4, 2019. If building spaces are renovated or repurposed for different uses in the future, new testing and balancing of the impacted ventilation systems should be performed to ensure appropriate outdoor airflow to those occupied areas. Temperature in occupied spaces should be maintained from 68.5 degrees F to 75 degrees F in the winter, and from 75 degrees F to 80.5 degrees F in the summer, while indoor humidity should always be maintained to provide a maximum indoor-air dew-point temperature of 60 degrees F. Implementation of a thorough HVAC preventative maintenance program and the creation of a comprehensive, written HVAC operation and maintenance plan for the facility would further help ensure proper HVAC system operation and indoor environmental quality. Establishing a team for improved communication and reporting of environmental or health concerns can help prevent future building-related health symptoms.
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(2019) Indoor environmental quality with limited surface sampling for metals at an office building. (Click to open report) In December 2017, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from the union representing employees working in an office building. Employees were concerned about air quality throughout the building. Employee health concerns included breathing issues; eye irritation; skin lesions, and allergy attacks that they attributed to dampness and mold in the building, and particulates from the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning sys... (Click to show more)In December 2017, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from the union representing employees working in an office building. Employees were concerned about air quality throughout the building. Employee health concerns included breathing issues; eye irritation; skin lesions, and allergy attacks that they attributed to dampness and mold in the building, and particulates from the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. Employees were concerned about particulates from the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system supply air vents. Specifically, employees were concerned the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system contained residual particulates with metals from when the building was used to manufacturer jewelry roughly 30 years ago. On June 1, 2018, we performed a walkthrough of the office building and performed wipe sampling to analyze particulates for metals found on office furniture and in areas near the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system supply air vents. During our walkthrough, we identified a number of potential issues related to indoor environmental quality at this office building, some of which were caused by retrofitting an industrial building into an office building. Indoor environmental quality issues included signs of a dusty environment, indoor dampness, improperly functioning heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system, and rodents and pests. Management reported receiving notifications regularly from employees that fragrances in the workplace caused mucous membrane or respiratory symptoms. We recommend creating a health and safety committee consisting of employees who work throughout the building to engage with management on issues such as comfort (temperature and relative humidity), indoor dampness, dusty environments, and housekeeping concerns. We recommend management review personal workspace rules and enforcement guidelines pertaining to blocking vents; food storage, preparation, and consumption areas; refrigerators; fish tanks; dehumidifiers; and fragrances.
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(2019) Lead and copper exposure at an indoor shooting range. (Click to open report) The Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program received a management request from a government indoor shooting range because of concerns about employee exposure to lead and copper during cleaning activities. The facility contained three ranges. Two ranges used lead-based ammunition and one used frangible copper-based ammunition only. Employees were responsible for range cleaning in addition to maintenance activities, such as replacing exhaust fan filters and emptying buckets that collect bullets beh... (Click to show more)The Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program received a management request from a government indoor shooting range because of concerns about employee exposure to lead and copper during cleaning activities. The facility contained three ranges. Two ranges used lead-based ammunition and one used frangible copper-based ammunition only. Employees were responsible for range cleaning in addition to maintenance activities, such as replacing exhaust fan filters and emptying buckets that collect bullets behind the bullet traps. During our evaluation, we toured the range facility, reviewed standard operating procedures and medical and training records, held confidential employee interviews, collected air and surface wipe samples for lead and copper and colorimetric wipe samples for lead, and evaluated the ventilation system. Four employees had lead exposures that were above the OSHA PEL when changing prefilters and emptying the bullet trap buckets. Employees wore respiratory protection while performing these tasks. However, NIOSH respirator selection guidance recommends a higher level of protection given the high lead concentrations we measured. One employee was above the OSHA action level for lead while performing cleaning. Two employees had blood lead levels > 5 ug/dL, a level NIOSH considers elevated. Air samples collected for total copper dust were lower than occupational exposure limits. Colorimetric wipes indicated lead and copper on surfaces within the facility. Although all employees were being monitored through the medical surveillance program and received training on lead exposure, they may benefit from more training on take-home lead. One range ventilation system was operating in accordance with NIOSH guidelines, one was lower than NIOSH guidelines, and one we were unable to evaluate because it was occupied with personnel firing weapons. We observed work practices that could contribute to lead exposure. Included in our recommendations were to provide periodic refresher training related to the standard operating procedures for each task and ensuring procedures are followed, ensure appropriate sizes for Tyvek suits and nitrile gloves are available, include take-home lead exposure information in annual training materials, provide work clothes that employees can launder and store at the workplace, and investigate possible changes to maintenance tasks involving filters and buckets.
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(2019) Potential occupational exposures to narcotics in a county evidence room. (Click to open report) The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from the manager of an investigations bureau within a county state's attorney's office who was concerned about potential employee exposures to narcotics in their evidence rooms. During our site visit, we walked through and observed the work environment of the 14th floor evidence room, sub-basement evidence room, and surrounding areas; inspected the ventilation systems; measured temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide, and carbon dio... (Click to show more)The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from the manager of an investigations bureau within a county state's attorney's office who was concerned about potential employee exposures to narcotics in their evidence rooms. During our site visit, we walked through and observed the work environment of the 14th floor evidence room, sub-basement evidence room, and surrounding areas; inspected the ventilation systems; measured temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide; interviewed employees about their work and their health; and discussed housekeeping practices with housekeeping staff and inspected their cleaning equipment. We found that the evidence rooms did not have independent ventilation systems, which meant that air could be recirculated from the evidence rooms into other areas. However, the evidence rooms were under negative air pressure relative to adjacent areas, a preferred design. Local exhaust ventilation was not used when evidence was opened or repackaged. Temperature and relative humidity measurements occasionally exceeded recommended comfort guidelines, but carbon dioxide concentrations were within recommendations. Carbon monoxide concentration were low. Personal protective equipment was available but not required. Employees sometimes wore powder free latex gloves when handling evidence. The symptoms reported by employees were nonspecific and could have workplace or nonworkplace causes. The vacuum used by housekeeping was in a poor state of repair and was not equipped with a high efficiency particulate filter. We recommended that until evidence rooms are under dedicated ventilation systems, the investigations bureau could supplement their ventilation system(s) with benchtop ventilation hood(s) and use them when handling or repackaging evidence. We recommended providing appropriate personal protective equipment to employees who handle evidence and develop guidance for its use. We also recommended replacing latex gloves with powder-free nonlatex gloves, and purchasing a vacuum equipped with a high efficiency particulate air filter specifically for evidence room use.
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(2018) Indoor environmental quality concerns among hospital employees working in a radiology department. (Click to open report) The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from a union representative at a hospital. The request concerned indoor environmental quality (IEQ), comfort issues including heat, and foreign particles coming out of the supply air vents in the Radiology Department and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Suites. Employees reported symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation and were concerned that breathing the particles would cause long-term health effects. We interviewed employees ab... (Click to show more)The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from a union representative at a hospital. The request concerned indoor environmental quality (IEQ), comfort issues including heat, and foreign particles coming out of the supply air vents in the Radiology Department and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Suites. Employees reported symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation and were concerned that breathing the particles would cause long-term health effects. We interviewed employees about their health concerns; reviewed illness and injury logs, ventilation system diagrams, a consultant's IEQ assessment report, and medical records; took real-time air samples for carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, temperature, and relative humidity, and bulk samples from different areas of the ventilation systems; and evaluated the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. Temperature, carbon dioxide, and relative humidity were within the recommended levels for indoor work environments. Carbon monoxide levels were well below occupational exposure limits. We found that air was bypassing the filtration systems and that the outdoor air intakes were at or below ground level. The black particulates in the workplace contained soot, which indicated that exhaust particles were entering the workspace. Gray material in the ventilation systems was mostly cellulose. Over half of the employees reported being concerned about work exposures. The perception of the lack of management action in addressing these concerns may be linked to why some employees expressed distrust in the employer's willingness to look out for the well-being of employees. We recommended improving preventative maintenance on the ventilation systems and working with a mechanical engineer so that air supplied to the workspace meets current indoor environmental quality guidelines for health care facilities.
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(2018) Odors in a pet care product manufacturing office. (Click to open report) The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received an employer request from a manufacturer of pet care products. Employees were concerned about exposure to odors that were reportedly traveling from the production area to the office area within the building, and whether these odors could harm their health. We looked for moisture, water damage, and inspected the wall that separates the office area from the production area. We measured carbon dioxide, temperature, relative humidity, ventilation airflow ... (Click to show more)The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received an employer request from a manufacturer of pet care products. Employees were concerned about exposure to odors that were reportedly traveling from the production area to the office area within the building, and whether these odors could harm their health. We looked for moisture, water damage, and inspected the wall that separates the office area from the production area. We measured carbon dioxide, temperature, relative humidity, ventilation airflow and checked the air pressure relationships. We looked at the rooftop air handling systems. We reviewed workplace injury and illness logs and interviewed employees about their work, medical history, and work-related health concerns. Although we did not notice any odor in the office area, there was potential for odor to move from the production area into the office area. The ventilation systems appeared to be working properly. We did not see any signs of water damage or mold, and in general, temperature, carbon dioxide, and relative humidity were within recommended comfort guidelines. Our ventilation airflow measurements agreed with the recently performed test and balance work. Reported employee symptoms were non-specific in nature and neither the type nor number of symptoms were found to be unusual. We recommended sealing all gaps in the wall that separates the office and production areas, encouraging employees to report potential work-related health concerns to their supervisors, and establishing an office "fragrance-free" policy to limit exposure for employees who may be sensitive to products with strong odors or scents.
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(2017) Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of exposures and respiratory health at a coffee processing facility. (Click to open report) In August 2015, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a management request for a health hazard evaluation at a coffee processing facility. The request expressed concern about exposure to diacetyl (2,3-butanedione) during coffee roasting, grinding, and flavoring. In February 2016, we conducted a ventilation assessment, an industrial hygiene survey, and a medical survey. The industrial hygiene survey consisted of the collection of air samples and bulk samples o... (Click to show more)In August 2015, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a management request for a health hazard evaluation at a coffee processing facility. The request expressed concern about exposure to diacetyl (2,3-butanedione) during coffee roasting, grinding, and flavoring. In February 2016, we conducted a ventilation assessment, an industrial hygiene survey, and a medical survey. The industrial hygiene survey consisted of the collection of air samples and bulk samples of coffee and flavorings for the analysis of diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione. Continuous monitoring instruments were used to monitor total volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity in specific areas and during tasks. The medical survey consisted of breathing tests and a questionnaire covering medical and work histories. Overall, average air levels of diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione were not elevated. We identified specific work tasks that resulted in higher air concentrations of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione than other tasks. Specifically, packaging and flavoring tasks were associated with the highest levels of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione. Some employees reported respiratory symptoms or diagnoses and/or had abnormal lung function tests. We recommend using engineering and administrative controls as a precautionary approach to limit employees' exposures and establishing a medical monitoring program.
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