title: Report of an illness outbreak at the Harry S Truman State Office Building.
abstract: An acute epidemic of headache, mucosal irritation, fatigue, odd taste, and dizziness involving several hundred state government employees occurred in June 1986 in an office building in Missouri that housed 2,500 employees. A survey of 305 ill and 131 well employees demonstrated that ill employees were more likely to have perceived unusual odors and inadequate air flow in their work areas. The building has eight floors, seven of which are divided in half by an atrium, and 17 separate air handling systems. A total of 87% of the ill employees were concentrated in only three of the "half floors." Extensive investigation revealed no toxic substances or other direct causes for the illnesses, but several factors were identified that may have reduced air quality in the affected areas. These included a low proportion of outside air, associated with crowding, blocked vents, smoking, and use of office chemicals. This pattern of illness suggests epidemic anxiety state triggered by poor air quality.
authors.affiliation: Missouri Dept. of Health, Jefferson City 65102-0570.
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Donnell
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bagby
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Harmon
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Crellin
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chaski
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Bright
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Tuinen
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Metzger
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008923:Missouri; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D014691:Ventilation
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution