Airbourne pathogen causing faintings

[pete09]

Hi recently in my workplace bizzare fainting episodes have been occuring.Its a large hall (maybe over 150 people)used as a call centre with a big air con system that just recirculates air which normally means flu's and colds get round every1 in no time.but 1 day last week 6 different people collapsed, the next day 3more.then a friend who also works there collapsed and was taken to hospital that evening as although fully conscious was having major vision problems and dizzyness for over an hour after he fainted.tho his heart rate and trace, his breathing etc were all normal.the hospital dismissed it as a normal fainting but with the high numbers of those in the workplace and the prolonged vision loss and dizyness is ther a possible aerosol in the air con that could be causing people to take ill.

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Pete,

Do you have any updates regarding on-going symptoms in the workplace? Did anyone else end up being diagnosed with influenza?

~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

[pete09]

firstly there were 8 in work over the 2day period and at least 1 more outside of work with similar symptoms.i havent personally felt any symptoms.i have a mild sore throat which i would imagine to be totally unrelated.
There has been no1 with itchy or burning eyes that im aware of but coughing yes, generaly they all felt unwell and dizzy before fainting and on regaining consciousness had up to 1hrs blured and distorted vision.i dont know of any further incidents since, but there is a suggestion of an employee having suspected case of swine flu could this explain the faintings?(the friend of mine who did collapse several hours after work is also off work experiencing flu like symptoms atm)
Those who were affected all lost consciousness for short periods, no more than a minute or 2.due to the air conditioning the temperature is quite low,mild but not unusualy cold.there hasnt been any new furniture or renovations.there was no noticable odor, its on the ground floor and the intake for the air handling unit faces a field and a country road.

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Hi Pete,

Let me first confirm with you that 9 employees collapsed in the work environment over a two-day period--and, a 10th collapsed the 2nd evening away from the work place.

- Did any of the employees loose consciousness?
- Have there been other events or occurrences since your first posting?
- What is the ambient temperature in the room/hall?
- Have there been any recent renovations? new carpets? new furniture?
- Was there or has there been any odor?
- Are employees noticing symptoms such as headaches, "burning" or "itchy" eyes, cough?
- Is the intake for the air handling (air conditioning) unit near an area where vehicles idle (road, parking lot, loading area)....as caregive222 pointed out?
- Is the work area on the ground floor? Basement?

The situation that you have described does not sound like an airbourne pathogen (bacteria or virus); nor have you identified a source for carbon monoxide (CO). Besides CO, most toxic gases or vapors have an odor.

~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

[pete09]

yeh CO seems like a reasonable suggestion but there doesnt seem to be a source there, its only used as offices and an open floor with electronic equipment, no large deliveries, and the closest thing to any combustion is a small bit of cooking in the canteen.so i doubt it could be it.and the fact my friend passed out hours after leaving work, would that not suggest against it too?im really stumped on this one.thanks for the input though.

[caregiver222]

Dr. Parks would be more qualified to comment on possible airborne pathogens, but the first thing that would come to my mind to explain the medical problems would be an excess of carbon monoxide in the room. This is an odorless colorless toxic gas created as a byproduct of combustion. It is similar to oxygen and binds to the red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. Dizziness, visual disturbances and unconsciousness can result from exposure to this gas. It is common in homes where there are malfunctioning furnaces for this problem to arise. In buildings, high concentrations come about when there is a truck unloading depot within the building and gasoline powered trucks idle. They do this because they have electrically operated tailgates which require the engine to operate. Fortunately there are relatively inexpensive carbon monoxide meters available to all fire departments.  I would suggest this situation should be reported to your local fire department, but perhaps Dr. Park could make other suggestions.