Description
The term "office workers" is not a specific occupational group in the Standard Occupational Classification System. Some skin and respiratory problems related to the office environment have been identified: dermatitis from carbonless copy paper; low-humidity dermatitis; and allergic rhinitis, asthma, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis from molds. Contact dermatitis from phenol formaldehyde maleic anhydride in typewriter correction paper and thiourea in photocopy paper has been reported. Guidelines to prevent sick-building syndrome include maintaining relative humidity at 30-60% and bringing in outside fresh air at 17 cubic feet/minute per occupant. [LaDou, p. 790-801] [Levy, p. 633-5] [Marks, p. 341-3] [Schmidt CJ, Tebbett IR, Couch MW. Carbonless Copy Paper: A Review of Its Chemical Components and Health Hazards. AIHAJ. 61:214-222 (2000).] [A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace. http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101003.html]