Acute health effects of major air contaminants

Types associated to buildings

Employee complaints can be due to two types of building problems: sick or tight building syndrome and building related illnesses.

1. Sick building syndrome is a condition associated with complaints of discomfort including headache; nausea; dizziness; dermatitis; eye, nose, throat, and respiratory irritation; coughing; difficulty concentrating; sensitivity to odors; muscle pain; and fatigue. The specific causes of the symptoms are often not known but sometimes are attributed to the effects of a combination of substances or individual susceptibility to low concentrations of contaminants. The symptoms are associated with periods of occupancy and often disappear after the worker leaves the worksite.

2. Building-related illnesses are those for which there is a clinically defined illness of known etiology and include infections such as legionellosis and allergic reactions such as hypersensitivity diseases and are often documented by physical signs and laboratory findings. A more thorough description of these illnesses can be found in the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) guidelines on evaluating bioaerosols.5

MAJOR INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANTS.

General. Although asbestos and radon have been listed below, acute health effects are not associated with these contaminants. These have been included due to recent concerns about their health effects. The investigator should be aware that there may be other health effects in addition to those listed.

1. Acetic Acid.

Sources: X-ray development equipment, silicone caulking compounds.

Acute health effects: Eye, respiratory and mucous membrane irritation.

2. Carbon Dioxide.

Sources: Unvented gas and kerosene appliances, improperly vented devices, processes or operations which produce combustion products, human respiration.

Acute health effects: Difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, increased respiration rate.

3. Carbon Monoxide.

Sources: Tobacco smoke, fossil-fuel engine exhausts, improperly vented fossil-fuel appliances.

Acute health effects: Dizziness, headache, nausea, cyanosis, cardiovascular effects, and death.

4. Formaldehyde.

Sources: Off-gassing from urea formaldehyde foam insulation, plywood, particle board, and paneling; carpeting and fabric; glues and adhesives; and combustion products including tobacco smoke.

Acute health effects: Hypersensitive or allergic reactions; skin rashes; eye, respiratory and mucous membrane irritation; odor annoyance.

5. Nitrogen Oxides.

Sources: Combustion products from gas furnaces and appliances; tobacco smoke, welding, and gas- and diesel-engine exhausts.

Acute health effects: Eye, respiratory and mucous membrane irritation.

6. Ozone.

Sources: Copy machines, electrostatic air cleaners, electrical arcing, smog.

Acute health effects: Eye, respiratory tract, mucous membrane irritation; aggravation of chronic respiratory diseases.

7. Radon.

Sources: Ground beneath buildings, building materials, and groundwater.

Acute health effects: No acute health effects are known but chronic exposure may lead to increased risk of lung cancer from alpha radiation.

8. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's).

Volatile organic compounds include trichloroethylene, benzene, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, alcohols, methacrylates, acrolein, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides.

Sources: Paints, cleaning compounds, moth-balls, glues, photocopiers, "spirit" duplicators, signature machines, silicone caulking materials, insecticides, herbicides, combustion products, asphalt, gasoline vapors, tobacco smoke, dried out floor drains, cosmetics and other personal products.

Acute health effects: Nausea; dizziness; eye, respiratory tract, and mucous membrane irritation; headache; fatigue.

9. Miscellaneous Inorganic Gases.

Includes ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide.

Sources: Microfilm equipment, window cleaners, acid drain cleaners, combustion products, tobacco smoke, blue-print equipment.

Acute health effects: Eye, respiratory tract, mucous membrane irritation; aggravation of chronic respiratory diseases.

10. Asbestos.

Sources: Insulation and other building materials such as floor tiles, dry wall compounds, reinforced plaster.

Acute health effects: Asbestos is normally not a source of acute health effects. However, during renovation or maintenance operations, asbestos may be dislodged and become airborne. Evaluation of employee exposure to asbestos will normally be covered under the OSHA Asbestos standard.

11. Synthetic Fibers.

Sources: Fibrous glass and mineral wool.

Acute health effects: Irritation to the eyes, skin and lungs; dermatitis.

12. Tobacco Smoke.

Sources: Cigars, cigarettes, pipe tobacco.

Acute health effects: Tobacco smoke can irritate the respiratory system and, in allergic or asthmatic persons, often results in eye and nasal irritation, coughing, wheezing, sneezing, headache, and related sinus problems. People who wear contact lenses often complain of burning, itching, and tearing eyes when exposed to cigarette smoke. 6 Tobacco smoke is a major contributor to indoor air quality problems. Tobacco smoke contains several hundred toxic substances including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, benzo(a)pyrene, tars, and nicotine. Most indoor air particulates are due to tobacco smoke and are in the respirable range.

13. Microorganisms and Other Biological Contaminants (Microbials).

Includes viruses, fungi, mold, bacteria, nematodes, amoeba, pollen, dander, and mites.

Sources: Air handling system condensate, cooling towers, water damaged materials, high humidity indoor areas, damp organic material and porous wet surfaces, humidifiers, hot water systems, outdoor excavations, plants, animal excreta, animals and insects, food and food products.

Acute health effects: Allergic reactions such as hypersensitivity diseases (hypersensitivity pneumonitis, humidifier fever, allergic rhinitis, etc.) and infections such as legionellosis are seen. Symptoms include chills, fever, muscle ache, chest tightness, headache, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, and nausea.