Technical assistance report no. TA-80-14: Federal Government Park Building: Rockville, Maryland

Abstract

A walk through survey of the third floor, laboratories, and roof of the Federal Government Park Building (SIC-8922) in Rockville, Maryland was conducted on November 30, 1979, to investigate the cause of complaints of headaches, nausea, sore throats, and eye irritations among employees of the Office of Health Maintenance Organizations (OHMO). The survey was requested by the Office of Resource Management. The OHMO was located on the floor below the laboratories, and complaints of unpleasant odors often coincided with the operation of the laboratory autoclaves. The health complaints sometimes occurred when the odors were not present. OHMO temperature control was erratic, and air movement was insufficient in some offices. Inspection of the building roof revealed an inoperative exhaust fan, which may have been connected to the laboratory autoclaves. A wide variety of toxic substances were used in the laboratories, and there was a substantial exposure potential. The authors conclude that a safety and health surveillance program is needed at this facility. Interlaboratory cooperation is required to establish clear lines of health and safety responsibility for the entire laboratory area. The building ventilation system should be redesigned to provide adequate supply and exhaust air